Charles and Ray Eames Hang it All Playing Cards by Art of Play

Charles and Ray Eames brought a sense of playfulness to midcentury design, imbuing everyday objects with unexpected joy. These Eames Playing Cards, created by Art of Play in collaboration with Eames Office, embraces this approach with a celebration of their iconic Hang-It-All wall rack. Printed on FSC certified paper, each card measures 3.5 x 2.5 x .5 inches.

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 Ray and Charles were famous for, Art of Play decided to ditch the aristocracy entirely and adopt a more minimalist approach. You will not find any Kings or Queens in this deck; the cards are simply numbered 1-13, a subtle but gently revolutionary gesture that they’ve never attempted before. Every time you shuffle the pack and juggle the colourful balls, you’re reminded of the Eames’ enthusiasm to defy the gravity of expectations and embrace a spirit of exploration.

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. Made in the USA.

Created by Dan & Dave Buck, identical twin brothers who grew up pursuing their passion for sleight of hand magic. Upon gaining international recognition for their contributions to the art of magic and cardistry, they started producing playing cards as Art of Play. Their mission? Spread wonder!