In the Drawer: Playing Cards

A transformation playing card is a type of playing card where an artist incorporates the pips of non-face cards into an artistic design.

John made his own deck of cards based on a set of French transformation cards called Jeanne Hachette, circa 1870, by Grimaud. He updated the deck he found to a standard card deck, including two jokers and indices. As an avid card player, John considers this a great way to share his love for vintage ephemera.

John Derian Souvenir Playing Cards Deck

$12.00

Queen of Spades (p 339)

$195.00

Ass of Hearts

$100.00

Card Suits

$380.00

Jack of Clubs/King of Diamonds/King of Hearts/King of Spades (p 338)

$195.00

Naive Kings - Heart

$100.00

Naive Queens - Heart

$100.00

Royal Flush - Ace

$100.00

Heart Play

$140.00

18th c. Heart

$100.00

Browse our Playing Card Collection

Post Cards & Coasters

Heart with Crown Bowl

In the Drawer

Our "In the Drawer" series, takes you inside John Derian's studio drawers to uncover his collection of 18th and 19th-century collection of books, ephemera, artifacts, and more.

As a life-long collector, John shares his favorite discoveries, offering the stories behind each unique item and how he has brought them back to life today.

Open them all here ›