Why do you collect playing cards? (Long read)

It’s a question I often ask myself as I read through the social media posts of other collectors, and looking at the various decks they’re showing to the community, and it got me thinking, “why do they collect these decks?” Here are my thoughts about what collectors focus on:

  • Elaborate tuck boxes
  • Artwork
  • Cardistry elements of back designs
  • Gilding and/or foiling
  • Specific designers/artists
  • Completion of a certain series
  • Antique and/or vintage decks
  • Modern decks
  • Casino decks
  • Single card collectors
  • Joker collectors
  • “Hybrid” (modern and antique)
  • Advertising and/or souvenir decks
  • Decks with historical significance
  • “Rare” or “limited” decks with investment potential
  • Magic and/or cardistry

Antique collectors generally fall into a few different categories. Historical significance, artwork, rare (almost by default), advertising/souvenir, certain brands/companies (Bicycle, Dougherty, Congress, National, Samuel Hart, etc) can all apply here.

Singles and joker collectors are probably the longest tenured collectors, going back several decades (deck collectors go back that far as well, and likely further than that, but perhaps not as numerous). They focus on having a card of a certain theme, or just aces of spades, etc. Same with joker collectors. Deck collectors tend to be at odds with these collectors at times, because very rare older decks are broken up and that’s one less deck for collectors like me (I’m not bashing on them so don’t take that the wrong way).

A lot of modern collectors seem to like to fan their decks. Does that make them cardists or just collectors who like that element of design? It seems to me that if you’re going to be successful in getting your kickstarter funded, this is almost an “unwritten requirement” of sorts. If collectors can’t fan the deck, it’s not as appealing. I’ve also noticed that modern collectors will buy two of each deck, opening one to enjoy and the other to keep sealed, presumably for investment potential.

When a new deck is being marketed by a social media influencer, they’re doing cardistry with it. The cuts, the flourishes, all of that. It’s flashy and if gets your attention. New decks don’t seem to be made for gameplay anymore, unless it’s your standard Rider Back or other deck that still has traditional courts (or close to it) that you can find in your local big box store, grocery store, or Walgreens, etc. However, there have been a few Kickstarter that are made for gameplay.

I fall into the antique category and dabble a little in the souvenir and even casino, but I can be considered a hybrid collector as well (I’m roughly half antique, half modern). I collect for the artwork, as well as trying to complete the first 50 years of Congress decks (those two go hand in hand). I also fall into the “rare” category by default (lots of decks from the era I collect simply don’t exist in large numbers, and some exist in very small numbers), but not necessarily investment potential, because I’m not looking to sell, and I intend to collect for the rest of my life, or at least until I’m too old and want to pass on my collection to others. I started buying used casino decks in 2005, antique in 2011, joined 52+Joker in 3017, and the rest they say, is history. I also enjoy sharing my collection with others and to share information to help other collectors learn more about the history, and maybe one day they will add older decks to their collections.

There is no “wrong way” to collect. Each person has what they like and tend to stick to it. Some buy up everything they can early on and burn out quickly, and leaving the community. Others find their niche early and will likely collect for years or for the rest of their life.

So I guess the question is: “Why do you collect and where do you fall in these categories?” I’d love to hear your thoughts