I was taken by the look of this deck rather quickly. It appealed to my love of antique props that
can be used in magical performance. Cards handle as well as all Bicycle cards do. Court cards and
jokers...all faces look believably vintage, as do the backs.
One hard to miss visual issue is
that the card faces and backs have so little contrast. When turning a card over for a choice or
reveal for example, there is no visual cue to the eyes-no impactive contrast between backs and
faces. This lack I think lessens visual impact needed for any kind of revelation. All cards have
'tears'-to make them look old. Problem is that tears are identical on all cards- more likely to have
happened via digital design, than old age! Finally...the cards get very dark towards the
edges...like they were overcooked. Such darkening towards an edge is a real phenomenon with paper,
prints, old postcards. Tones get warmer and a bit darker, but here the dark gradation is a bit
extreme...unless the creator wanted them to have looked burned. Bit dark for my taste.
Overall
the deck will fit well with any performer using period props. They instantly bring the viewer back a
century or two. Well illustrated. The back designs while ancient looking...also remind me of designs
that show up in stores that sell items popular in the 60's...mystical, occult looking. Not sorry I
got these, but will only use them for an appropriate effect-and/or along with other antique looking
props.