” The proper study of mankind is man,”

it plainly follows, that as Playing Cards are the instruments of the most fascinating species of gambling that ever was devised by the ingenuity of man, their origin and history arc a very proper subject for rational discussion. The cooking, tool-making, gambling animal displays its rationality, according to Dr. Franklin, by its knowing how to find or invent a plausible pretext for whatever it has an inclination to do.

Judging from the manner in which the origin and history of Playing Cards have been treated by various authors within the last hundred and fifty years, it is evident that the subject, whatever they may have made of it, is one of great ” capability,” to use the favorite term of a great designer in the landscape-gardening line; and it seems no less evident that some of those authors have been disposed to magnify its apparent insignificance by associating it with other topics, which are generally allowed to be both interesting and important. In this respect they have certainly shown great tact; for though many learned men have, at different periods, written largely and profoundly on very trifling subjects, yet it does seem necessary for a man, however learned and discreet, to set .forth, either in his title-page or in his proemium, something like an apology for his becoming the historiographer of Playing Cards,— things in themselves slightly esteemed even by those who use them most, and frequently termed by pious people ” the devil’s books.” i..e example which has thus been set I am resolved to follow; for though, in the title-page, I announce no other topic for the purpose of casting a borrowed light on the principal subject, I yet wish the reader to understand that I am writing an apology for it now; and in the progress of the work I doubt not that I shall be found as discursive as most of those who have previously either reasoned or speculated on Playing Cards.

A history of Playing Cards, treating of them in all their possible relations, associations, and bearings, would form nearly a complete cyclopaedia of science and art; and would still admit of being further enlarged by an extensive biographical supplement, containing sketches of the lives of celebrated characters who have played at cards,—or at any other game. Cards would form the centre—the point, having position, but no space,—from which a radius of indefinite extent might sweep a circle comprehending not only all that man knows, but all that he speculates on. The power of reach, by means of the point and the radius, being thus obtained, the operator has his choice of topies; and can arrange them round his centre, and colour them at his will, as boys at school colour their fanciful segments of a circle.

Facts and Speculations on the Origin and History of Playing Cards
By William Andrew Chatto London; April, 1848.

You may recall the line from Alice’s croquet game with the queen of hearts.

Deviant Art

The wildly creative cards are fully functional even featuring a joker from an original acrylic painting of Dione’s. The original works (8×10 and larger) were at Davidson’s So Alive Gallery (108 S. Main) last month. This month they hang at the Creative Art Exchange (CAE), 19725 Oak Street in Cornelius and beginning this Saturday will be available for sale. The final show and sale occurs during June at Artworks on Main, 165 North Main Street in Mooresville. Proceeds from the sale of the original art goes to CAE. The decks of cards are available at all three locations.

The artists come only from the greater Charlotte area and represent emerging artists, emerged artists and art students.  Their art mediums range from photography to watercolor to fabric arts images.  Some cards are playful; some are serious.  For the artists whose participation was voluntary, there is increased exposure to showcase their talent.  When you access www.artinhandcards.com you view the full list of artists and when “clicking” on a particular card, you meet the artist and see more of his/her work.

Dione carefully researched this project before beginning and found that the only historical reference to a similar deck of cards was during the Victorian era.  She started soliciting art for the deck last October and artists were chosen in January.  Wanting the cards to be produced in the USA, Dione chose the US Playing Card Company in Cincinnati which also produces the familiar Bicycle Playing cards.  Only soy ink was used in the manufacture and except for the cellophane wrapping, the deck is 100% recyclable.  It sells for $12.95.  As the packaging states:  “Use them to play all your favorite cards games while enjoying a gallery-quality art show right in your own hand.”

What an original and functional idea!  Dione hopes to work with other US cities to create their own playing cards but will always have the same “Art in Hand” logo on the back of the cards.  Thus one could mix decks with art from various cities.  (Dione’s brother lives in Maui so perhaps the next deck will have a Hawaiian theme.)  For additional information, you can contact Dione at artinhandcards@gmail.com. We are glad to have the Goyette family in town!

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A former marketing executive who still keeps her hand in that arena, Leikind took a break from corporate America and started taking classes that piqued her interest. Among those was playing cards, as she had always been a card player.

“When I went back to work, I noticed I was using the skills from poker,” Leikind said in our recent interview. “When people were trying to negotiate me down in price, I held fast. I kept coming up with correlations between business and poker.”

Among those, she found, were how to set the tone, be a leader, read people and pick up on nonverbal cues.

“It’s a game of psychology,” Leikind said. “Poker helps to enhance skills where women are weaker.”

In fact, when Leikind started getting invited to networking events, she noticed there would be “60, 70, 80 guys and a handful of women.” That was the void she suddenly wanted to fill and so about four years ago she formed Poker Prima Divas

“It’s poker for professional women, not only teaching them how to play the game, but the need to be aggressive,” Leikind said.
t is her mantra, in fact, that poker is the new golf. In that regard, it may also be an innovative way to get an ‘in’ during the recession. The skills it fine tunes are an obvious benefit, but the networking opportunities are vast as well, especially in the financial careers arena.

“This is not a bunch of degenerates playing cards,” Leikind said.

Even for those who have never been dealt a hand, the surge of poker is apparent simply from channel surfing on any given day. Poker tournaments are everywhere, from ESPN to the Travel Channel. According to PokerPages.com’s Industry Index, as of 2006 poker had grown over 400 percent since 2001; they cite “increased production and distribution of poker related television, the penetration of online poker and the creation and expansion of the World Poker Tour and The World Series of Poker” as reasons for the popularity explosion.

While much of that is tied to money, Poker Prima Divas is not. There’s no gambling — that’s illegal in New York, except in limited cases — but there are prizes and donations to charity.

One of the most intriguing things about talking to Leikind about poker is what she has learned about the proclivities of people.

“Men don’t care if they lose fake chips,” said Leikind, whose program is inclusive of men. “Women would rather have one chip left. They won’t go for it all and risk losing that chip. Men play to win as opposed to avoid losing their chips.”

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From the works of VLADIMIR KUSH found on Paragon Fine Arts

Another offering is from Moonsins Playing Cards Brushes by ~MoonsinProductions on deviantART

Another offering is from Jarednuss on Deviant Art

These brushes are free to use for your artwork, prints and designs providing that credit and link back to the creator is acknowledged. Some nice resources.