Paperblanks Onyx Playing Cards

Turn every game night into an occasion with this Onyx deck of playing cards from Paperblanks, presented in a beautifully finished tuck box.

Our black and gold Onyx design reproduces an 1835 goatskin leather book binding crafted in Amsterdam by Friedrich W.J.C. Kolb. The binding was originally designed to contain a Latin oration on the physiology of plants by the renowned Dutch botanist Willem Hendrik de Vriese.

The Story Behind the Design

Connect with the ornate Dutch world of yesteryear with this opulent gold on black geometric design.

Reproducing an expensive goatskin leather book binding crafted in Amsterdam in 1835 by Friedrich W.J.C. Kolb, our Asterales series is a stately addition to the Paperblanks collection and one that celebrates the harmony between art and science.

The binding was originally designed to contain a Latin oration on the physiology of plants by the renowned Dutch botanist Willem Hendrik de Vriese (1806–1862). De Vriese was a member of the Royal Dutch Institute of Sciences, Literature and Fine Arts and, in his studies, named many species of plants in the Asterales order (Asterids). He practiced medicine in Rotterdam, where he also taught classes in botany at the medical school. The astral-sounding name of this plant species inspired our inky midnight black design, which seemed a fitting way to pay tribute to De Vriese and his lasting legacy in both science and art.

Science and art have long found a common ground in Dutch history, with artists from the Netherlands pioneering the form of still life, so there is little wonder why this significant binding can be found in the KB, National Library of the Netherlands. Founded in 1798, the library holds the intention to celebrate the written word and share Dutch creativity and innovation with the world.

We are honoured to partner with the KB, National Library to bring this beautiful binding to the Paperblanks collection.

• Original artwork: Book binding crafted by Friedrich W.J.C. Kolb
• Era: 1835
• Region: Amsterdam

Product Details

• Dimensions: 63 × 89 mm
• Design: Onyx
• Series: Asterales
• Standard poker deck of 52 playing cards, 2 joker cards and 1 design story card
• High-quality, 300 gsm card stock
• Performance coating for a smooth finish
• Borderless back card design with perfectly mirrored imagery
• Customised face cards featuring Paperblanks branded design elements
• Full-colour printing with metallic inks on the back card design
• Shrink-wrapped deck to protect from moisture
• Durable tuck box luxuriously accented with metallic foil and embossed texturing, sealed with a custom-branded seal
• Weight: 104 g
• Product code: PA9865-2 | ISBN: 9781439798652

About Paperblanks

Paperblanks works with museums, libraries, galleries and artists around the world to faithfully reproduce remarkable artwork, historic bindings and treasured manuscripts, bringing the same care and craftsmanship found in its celebrated journals to every accessory.