I seem to recall that production of USPC Ariostocrat brand playing cards was discontinued here in the USA about 20 years ago. Yet I occasionally see some brief references about Aristocrat playing cards and, from what I have been able to glean, these references always seem to have a European origin or are indicating that Aristocrat playing cards are available in Europe.

Does anyone know if Aristocrat playing cards are still being produced, and if so, where sold?

Thanks for any info in this regard.

Mike

Mike,

You may be confusing the gorgeous Aristocrat Design backs of yesteryear with the more usual second hand casino decks called 'Aristocrat Brand'. These are readily available on ebay but generally marked by cutting the corners, drilling holes, etc. as they are actual ex-casino playing stock.

The older type Aristocrat cards do appear on ebaY from time to time and often go for a small fortune. I collect (and use) the Brdige Size decks that tend to go for a slightly cheaper auction price.

I adore the Aristocrat deck - hence my name on here!

I think I have a deck of Aristocrat cards around here. Old enough to have a tax seal on the deck. What's a value?

Steve

Thanks for the clarification, Aristocrat. I appreciate the info.

Mike

I have some Aristocrats and I was considering putting an unopened deck up for sale here. PM me if you want first crack at them. Keep in mind they can fetch over $100 on ebay!

Tom

Thanks for the offer, Tom. I wasn't interested in them for collectability purposes; I was hoping that, like some models of cars, Aristcrats might be readily available as "open stock" in Europe while OOP in the USA. I already own one unopened deck of each (red-backed and blue-backed) purchased in about 1982-1983. Sad to see Aristocrats have gone the way of the Dodo bird. (sigh)

Mike

It is just too costly to produce "playing cards" of such exceptional quality anymore.

I called the U.S. Playing Card Company about 8 years ago asking for Aristocrats. They said the cards were still produced, but sold to an exclusive buyer. Three years later, I bought a case of Aristocrats from The Rio Casino. They were corner cut, but still a nice card to own.

Perhaps they are The Rio's exclusive. If so, you probably can't purchase them new. And of course, their agreement with USPC, if there was one, could have come and gone by now.

Hope this helps!

- Aaron Smith
http://www.magic.org