Bicycle Barclay Mountain Playing Cards Set (2 Decks)

Over the years, we've produced several dozen different decks of playing cards and tarot cards. Nearly all of them are based on history because we're very passionate about learning how our ancestors lived. 

This current deck, Bicycle Barclay Mountain, is a deck that is very close to my heart. Back in 2015, I named my company after Barclay Mountain. This location was once home to over 3,000 residents but today it's home to nobody. I'm creating this company and deck of cards as a way to remember those who lived and died on the mountain. 

The Court Cards
The court cards feature what life would've looked like on Barclay Mountain before it became a ghost town. Coal miners, lumberjacks, a leatherworker, a businessman, a railroad worker and teachers are hand illustrated on each court card. Much of the artwork was created using real photos for the inspiration.

The Tuck Case
The tuck case features a snake coiled around two pickaxes. The inspiration for this design came from the Gadsden Flag (also known as the Don't Tread on Me flag). We have a stretch goal where we will produce a unbranded version (without the Bicycle logo).

The Back Design
The back design features two snakes forming the infinity symbol. It's designed to remind people that time is never ending, and history can repeat itself. The back also ties in the theme of coal mining and lumbering with the use of pickaxes, axes and a railroad locomotive. The locomotive is modeled after one of the trains that once carried coal from the mountain to the nearby town of Towanda, Pa.

The Overall Design
The playing cards were designed in collaboration with R.J. Tomlinson, Anna Dorjieva and Oleg Gert. We wanted the overall design to give a sense of a ghostly nighttime feel. If you ever visit Barclay Mountain at night, you'll know the feeling we were trying to capture... magic and mystery.

Two Deck Collector Box
In conjunction with the playing cards, we're having a two-deck collector box being manufactured by WJ Printing in China. The box is 6 inches squared and a little over 2 inches deep.

Included with box sets will be a 12-page booklet explaining the history of the mountain throughout time. This booklet was written by local historian, Matthew Carl.

Bicycle Barclay Mountain Playing Cards

• Printed by THE UNITED STATES PLAYING CARD COMPANY
• Premium Casino grade paper stock
• Air-Cushion embossed card finish
• 56 completely custom playing cards
• Custom pips
• Custom tuck box