Stories

Highlighting the magic behind people, places, science, and art.

old playing cards on a notebook

The Symbology of Playing Cards

A brief history behind the meaning of playing cards in relation to the calendar year.

Ken Klosterman's Salon de Magie

Ken Klosterman's Salon de Magie

A final glimpse into a secretive world seen by so few, and that is no more.

The Harmonograph Art of Ivan Moscovich

The Harmonograph Art of Ivan Moscovich

Now on display at the National Museum of Mathematics in New York City.

22 Levels of Cardistry by Dan and Dave Buck

22 Levels of Cardistry by Dan and Dave Buck

Watch how these two card innovators demonstrate and break down everything that goes into the art of card handling.

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Daniël De Bruin on Making a Wind-Up Marble Track Machine

Daniël De Bruin on Making a Wind-Up Marble Track Machine

Art of Play is proud to present the latest marble track from Dutch artist, Daniël De Bruin.

Gaslamp Playing Cards by Art of Play

Historic "Gaslamp Quarter" Playing Cards

A tribute to the historic Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, California.

Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself

Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself

A story reveals the illusion of one’s identity in Derek DelGaudio’s modern allegory, In & Of Itself.

Tangram

TANGRAM, Volume 1

Tangram is a biannual journal exploring art and wonder created by Art of Play.

Cabinetarium Playing Cards by Armando Veve

Armando Veve's Cabinetarium Playing Cards

A shuffled gallery of surrealist fantasy, unlike any other deck of playing cards the world has ever seen.

Smokey Bear Playing Cards

Smokey Bear

Official Smokey Bear playing cards produced by Art of Play in association with the USDA Forest Service. The cards feature Smokey and twelve of his closest woodland friends, along with a few fire-pr...