OSPREY & GOSHAWK VINTAGE PLAYING CARDS
Find out all about our breakout project, Osprey & Goshawk Vintage Playing Cards
history
Inspired by our love of British raptors, our second project was a two-deck set in a collectable tobacco tin. Osprey & Goshawk is a classic two-deck set of playing cards, one deck red, one deck blue, featuring hand-drawn illustrations of these elegant birds of prey paired with antique standard playing card styling. The project was launched in the Summer of 2024 as a Kickstarter campaign and became our first successfully funded campaign, raising almost £12,000 across 229 backers.
story
Drawing for the project began in late 2022, after Imported Playing Cards had been designed, but before it had been produced. The design process for Osprey & Goshawk took over a year to complete, with the courts in particular being very complex, and taking cues from antique decks of cards from famous British manufacturers. The decks share a common theme and back design, but differing elements and colourways.
design
With a heavy focus on intricate, ornate pattern-work and line-work, in a warm vintage style, we wanted these decks to look like they could be genuine antiques from a bygone age. Many modern decks are created using vector software that produces perfect lines, corners, shapes and symmetry at the click of a mouse button. Our style is the antithesis of this, opting instead to create "perfect imperfections", everything is drawn by hand using a wacom pen and tablet directly onto print templates, to imitate as closely as possible an old technique in a modern digital age.
award nomination
Following in the footsteps of our first project, Imported Playing Cards, Osprey & Goshawk Vintage Playing Cards was nominated in two categories in the 2024 Deck Of The Year (DOTY) awards, for both best backs and best Aces.
theme
Inspired by beautiful British birds of prey, the Osprey and the Goshawk - two of our favourites - this decks pairs the illustration of these wonderful birds with classic playing card styling, as was popular in the heyday of playing card manufacturing. The courts for example, rather than being bird-themed, are an authentic antique style standard pattern.
RECEPTION
Our first successful Kickstarter campaign, Osprey & Goshawk Vintage Playing Cards was a resounding success, helping to establish our small but growing presence in the playing card industry. Selling out across the Murphy's Magic retail network in just over a fortnight, very few decks now remain for sale anywhere - with all vintage tobacco tin sets having long since been claimed by eager collectors.
SHOP OSPREY & GOSHAWK VINTAGE PLAYING CARDS
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Osprey & Goshawk Vintage Playing Cards - Collectors Tobacco Tin Set
Regular price £30.00 GBPRegular priceUnit price per£34.00 GBPSale price £30.00 GBPSold out -
Osprey Vintage Playing Cards
Regular price £15.00 GBPRegular priceUnit price per -
Goshawk Vintage Playing Cards
Regular price £15.00 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
Let customers speak for us
The "Black Shuck" deck is a pleasure to look at and handle.The design and artwork is very captivating and draws you closer to the mysterious and intriguing theme of the story.Another outstanding creative work from what is already a classic from Alex.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
Fantastic cards. They feel great in the hand and spectators love the uniqueness of them. Alex and Charlotte put so much effort into their cards and I'm happy to be a supporter of their business
Absolutely beautiful set of cards. Art work is amazing. 5*
Nice assortment of playing cards. It included 2 gilded decks and 4 regular decks. I enjoy collecting and giving away decks to friends, so it was good way to stock up.
Excellent finish and styling
These cards are a statement of the dedication and artistry it takes to produce such a product.
Excellent production and a wonderful product. Looking forward to the next development!
Top quality amazing detail.
Triton r fantastic nice feel. I appreciate the sticker
These cards are absolutely amazing. Such fine art work.
Stunning, clean, vintage. Great feel, prefect for the collection
I really like these cards. They have a nice, substantial feel, shuffle and deal easily. They come in a nice box—which is rare these days. Luv the court cards. Luv the proportions.
My only gripe, I wish the purple backs were a little deeper color. Not a real complaint as I would buy them again. All around— very nice! My compliments to A. Haines. A great set.
I’m a big fan (card fan) of what Alex is doing, beautiful cards and a great service. I think I have all his decks now, through kickstarter and patron, looking forward to what the future holds, I highly recommend signing up for all his projects. Cards, service, packaging are all top class. I had reason to reach out to Alex for a favour and he is a total gent. Superb 👌🏻
Love the detail, I find in this crazy world that a story played out of 3decks of cards is the coolest thing since sliced bread.LOVE THE MINI DECK
T
So cool! Seller is very responsive.
perfect
These cards came carefully packed in multiple layers of bubble wrap. Once opened it was clear that there was just as much, if not more love and care that went into the creation of these cards. They feel just like actual paper, but holds their shape extremely well even after countless shuffles. The designs of every court cards are beautiful and unique, not to mention the smooth vibrant colors on both the face and back of the cards. I’m very pleased with these cards!
What customers think about the store
This store offers premium playing cards with exceptional artistry and vintage-inspired designs. Customers praise the high-quality card stock, beautiful artwork, and smooth handling. Fast shipping, excellent packaging, and responsive customer service are freque...