The cards are being revealed to the public online in a staggered fashion – four a week, for maximum impact. Keen treasure-hunters (and card players) can pre-order a set now for shipping in May.

Bicycle playing cards, the most popular brand in the world, have been a quiet Cincinnati product, made by the U.S. Playing Card Co. since 1885.

Funding the project The 2021 deck was spawned from a wood-cutting design Blair created that featured a playing card theme. The public suggested Blair make the actual cards in the same style.

Playing cards depicting the U.S. government’s most wanted Iraqi fugitives, distributed during the American-led invasion in 2003, famously featured Saddam Hussein as the ace of spades.