Charles and Ray Eames brought a sense of playfulness to midcentury design, imbuing everyday objects with unexpected joy. Our second edition of Eames Playing Cards embraces this approach with a celebration of their iconic Hang-It-All wall rack.
The first thing you’ll notice is the jubilant colour palette of the early 1950s. The visual motif is a clear homage to the stick and ball components of the original design. However, in adapting the Hang-It-All to a new form, we made a surprising discovery.
When traditional playing card symbols are replaced with numerals, the result is more logical and visually cohesive. So, inspired by the rebellious spirit that Ray and Charles were famous for, the aristocracy has been removed entirely and a more minimalist approach adopted. You will not find any Kings or Queens in this deck; the cards are simply numbered 1-13.
Eames Playing Cards come packaged in a letterpress printed box reminiscent of the home that Charles and Ray designed and built in Los Angeles, California. Printed by the US Playing Card Company.