Breaking Convention
Past lanyards from 52 Plus Joker Conventions
A thunderous roar grows with each step closer to the floor of the 2025 52 Plus Joker Convention. Lively conversation, laughter, and unbridled knowledge fill the room. It’s an event I look forward to each year, gathering together some of my favorite people from across the country and around the world who share a common love of playing cards. When I designed my very first deck, SplitSpades, for David Blaine, I had no idea such a club existed, nor did I realize I would fall into a community that had such enthusiasm for this diminutive art form. Calling it a convention misses the mark, since it is anything but conventional.
Charlotte, North Carolina, once again became home to this spectacle, although it was my first time attending in that location. Members often spoke highly of this destination and suggested it for upcoming conferences on multiple occasions. I can see why. The accommodations were perfect, and the surrounding amenities were convenient, offering a nice variety of restaurants and a lovely body of manmade water to stroll around. Once again, the weather was as perfect as it could be. This club must refer to the Farmers’ Almanac when choosing the dates.
Pictured with Rory Rennick, Marco Pong, and Angela Rennick. Rory noticed that he and I both wore white pants on day one and bow ties on the last day. What?
My first time attending was when it was held in Orlando, Florida – also an impressive event. This was when I first learned of the club. I was asked to be a guest speaker, showcasing my working style and discussing playing card designs I had done. Immediately, I was welcomed with open arms and invited to a new member’s luncheon, where I met the club’s founders, Tom and Judy Dawson. If you were a new member this year, you would quickly learn about their pioneering spirit and how they built the club with passion, guided by a keen wisdom about playing cards and related ephemera. I’m so fortunate to have met them and joined the club under their reign. They have been succeeded by a much younger Lee Asher, who is equally impressive, bringing not only his knowledge of playing cards but also a background in magic as both a performer and consultant. He’s a natural leader who leverages his diverse board of many skills and disciplines to keep the club vibrant year-round. With a membership of twenty-five dollars a year, it’s the best deal I’ve ever enjoyed.
Busy work schedules and the pandemic kept me away for a few years until 2022, when I returned to the convention held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Much to my surprise, it was like no time had passed. Acquaintances from Orlando felt like family, and new friendships quickly formed. All types attend, making conversations fascinating and varied. I brought my wife and studio mate, Laura, with me on my second adventure, unsure of what she would think of this hodgepodge gathering. She appreciated playing cards, but I sensed she would also fall hard for its broader culture, which she did. Besides card collectors, the convention attracts prominent and upcoming designers, illustrators, producers, manufacturers, and magicians. Since Pittsburgh, we haven’t missed a conference, and we have committed to attending each and every one in the years to come.
Lawrence Sullivan presents the evolution of his publishing company Legends Playing Cards
The Great and Powerful Oz (cockatoo) adds some fun with Magician Erik Gerard
Kevin Reylek introduces a new Penquin Magic Christmas deck with a Krampus theme
This year was the first time I took advantage of having a table, not to sell, but to introduce my newly-formed playing card line, unimaginatively called Mark Stutzman Cards. I displayed mockups of an upcoming deck for the U.S. Playing Card Company (USPCC) called Bicycle Baroque, which reimagines the well-known Maiden Back design. This familiar card, first released in 2012, was an alternative design that echoed the Rider Back, USPCC’s most recognizable card back design. The Baroque deck features full-color, illustrated court cards of royal reigns during the 17th century, two custom jokers, a custom ace, and fully redesigned number cards that utilize Roman numerals. Without a physical product, I could only provide renderings of the proposed deck and tuck case, which includes gold foil and embossed details – a little something special. The back design is reminiscent of the original Maiden Back, while the other aspects exploit the Baroque theme. I enjoyed explaining the rationale behind the deck for anyone who took an interest.
The Baroque deck was also introduced during the New Deck Launch segment of the convention. Kevin Reylek from Penguin Magic holds the distinction of consistently offering a new deck at every convention, particularly a Christmas-themed deck. This year’s holiday deck featured Krampus, as the audience cheered uproariously. Penguin Magic’s innovative designs are hugely popular and often have fun, playful themes. Deck launches build anticipation for collectors, offering insider information long before a deck reaches the market. This show-and-tell has become a highlight and a precursor to the much-anticipated main event of each convention, an unveiling of the new Club Deck – a tradition that began in 2014.
The Live Auction in full swing, featuring antique and rare decks
Prior to Lee taking the helm, the club was primarily focused on rare and antique playing cards. His idea to introduce modern decks was met with trepidation from longtime members. Still, it quickly expanded the club’s reach to a younger audience and has introduced more seasoned collectors to a whole new world. An overlapping interest in both old and new decks is increasingly common, thanks in good part to Lee’s sound intuitions. Some of the older, out-of-stock club decks (still considered modern) fetch a respectable price among collectors who seek to complete the set that began over a decade ago.
This year’s outstanding Club Deck contributor was the Italian designer, Giovanni Meroni. The club's international reach continues to impress me. Once announced, Meroni delivered a sincere recorded message from his home, describing his deck for the attendees anxious to add his work to their collections. His body of work is generally bold, confident, and concise, with a clean design aesthetic that feels modern, while rooted in tradition. His extensive portfolio includes The Evil Deck, Delirium Prism, Omnia: The First, and The Golden Age, among several others. Club Decks are exclusive to members, and attendees of the conference receive first priority, with a purchase limit of three decks per person. Online sales follow the in-person event.
Informative lectures and an auction that includes rare, unique, and antique decks and ephemera round out the weekend. After three days of networking, trading, selling, and buying, everyone is aglow and ready to celebrate the gathering with the closing formal dinner. Leading up to the celebratory evening is the Red Carpet broadcast, hosted by Rosemary Reid. The livestream allows members who cannot attend to partake in the Club’s most celebrated night. Lee then presented the Dawson Award to Larry Herold for his years of service as the club’s live auctioneer. Another award was presented to Dave Seaney for his outstanding research on behalf of the club. Then, the Diamond Awards honored the Artist of the Year, Jack Brutus Penny, and Deck of the Year went to Unity Playing Cards. Club members voted for the winners in both categories. This year, USPCC President Craig Townsend and Industry Channel Manager Tiffany Cousteau pledged their continued support to the club. They announced a special 140th Anniversary celebration in November, offering first dibs on tickets to the exclusive affair. The event will take place at the U.S. Playing Card printing facility in Erlanger, Kentucky, just across the southern Ohio border.
As the convention came to a close, I reluctantly said my goodbyes with unending hugs and well-wishes. Another one behind us, I thought with anticipation of who will attend in 2026 in Niagara Falls, New York. Having been at the 2024 Niagara Falls conference, my excitement is already bubbling up. In the meantime, I will rely on virtual tags, comments, and an occasional check-in with all my old and newfound friends. I will also have two completed decks to share by then, and with any luck, a new one to announce.
An unexpected gift from Marshall Foster shows his prowess in cutting decks. This is the D23 Deck I designed for David Blaine. Just WOW!
The astounding Marshall and me at the closing dinner.
