Omar Chavez Jr. is a fellow playing card enthusiast in the community. He collects a variety of playing cards and he reviews them in form of an in-depth look of the decks followed by a narrative that comes with the decks - take it as very cinematic videos of deck reviews. All of these reviews are published on YouTube under the name "The Gentleman Wake", shortened as "TGW". Throughout years of reviewing decks made by variety of designers and brands create a strong bond of relation with them. In 2019, Omar decided to establish "TGW" as a luxury brand of playing cards for magicians and collectors. His series of playing cards are made by designers reknown for their works in the playing cards community, and each series settles on a specific theme.
The Gentleman Wake Series
Each series picks up a theme that has the "TGW" elements in the design, as well as the iconic insect that becomes the brand's mascot - the rhinoceros beetle (called "Dynastinae"). The courts for all of the decks in the series are customized classic courts from standard decks for use in magic and game, done with each respective designers' artstyles. All of the decks are printed by Cartamundi. Also, they all produced through funding from Kickstarter.
- Parlour by Stockholm 17 = The very first deck series to launch "The Gentleman Wake" brand, designed by Lorenzo Gaggioti of Stockholm 17. It is based on the study of where Omar and his wife Liza Quinn (known as "Lady Wake") used to do their video content creating. The courts are drawn holding items found within TGW's study - King and Queen of Hearts are featuring Wake and Liza respectively. The Ace of Spades features TGW's monogram shaped to form the large pip. Both Jokers feature anthropomorphic animals - one is a Fox, one is a Cat (who is Wake's pet, bless his soul). In 2024, the 5th Anniversary is planned to add more decks to the series.
- The Tale of the Tempest by Oath Playing Cards = The second deck series designed by Lotrek of Oath Playing Cards. It takes it's inspiration from "The Tempest" play writtedn by William Shakespeare. It tells the story of the magician known by his stage name: "The Great Wylenti", who got shipwrecked to an island where he lived his life with hopes of returning to his beloved Lady Eliza again. The deck in the series is said to be designed by the magician himself as part of his magical routine. The Ace of Spades features the ship which the magician sailed on. The Ace of Hearts (on Midnight - Treasure - Dynastinae - Prism) features the TGW monogram. Both Jokers feature the illustration of the magician, connect them to see his name.
- The Successor by Kevin Cantrell = The third deck series designed by Kevin Cantrell. It takes it's inspiration from 15th century cathedrals, cavases and manuscripts - the Medieval Era when there were castles, kings, queens, princes and princess, and priests. It tells a story of a kingdom where it recently lost its honorable and mighty king and the kingdom's search for the successor to the throne. All of the Aces featured custom large pips illustrations, with the number pips using the smaller version of them. The courts are based on classic standard courts set drawin in style of medieval artworks. Both Jokers feature illustrations of the priest "Annoiter" and the successor "Annoited" in a scene surrounded by the courts.
- Beetle Backs by Widakk Design = The fourth series designed by Srdjan Vidakovic of Widakk Design. Back to the theme of Victorean era, this series tells a story of the entomologist named Theodore G. Williford, who is obsessed with his treatise on rhinoceros beetles, until one day he is bound to transform into an anthropomorphic rhinoceros beetle. The Ace of Spades feature himself as a bug flying along with his study, while the rest of the Aces shows his metamorphosis from man to bug. The courts are stylized classics with hidden beetles in the details. Both Jokers feature identical illustration of an anthropomorphic beetle riding on a penny-farthing. One of the extra cards features a protrait of the entomologist.
- The Grave Witness by Russel Gray = The fifth series designed by Russel Gray. Inspired from murder mystery genre from Agatha Christie's crime novels to Hasbro's CLUE board game, this series tells a story of the murder mystery of Orson Payne, the man of the manor, with 12 guests are suspected for murder. The Ace of Spades feature the Payne Manor, with one of the Jokers features the victim. The courts show a variety of suspects, those who were present in the manor when the crime happened and including one detective. There is a puzzle contained within the deck, which you get to solve the mystery!
The variants for each series are consistent (more like, tiers) - up to 6 or 7 editions for each deck in the series. While the tints, tones, and shades may vary, they are still within the same color family. The variants are as follows:Any other variations from this list are BONUS - depends on how well the campaign run through.
- RED = Any variations of red [Wine Red, Eggplant Red, Crimson, etc.] - Gold CMYK or Metallic Ink if any - STANDARD Edition
- BLUE - Any variations of blue [Navy Blue, Ocean Blue, Cobalt, etc.] - Gold CMYK or Metallic Ink if any - STANDARD Edition
- BLACK & GOLD - Black combined with gold foiling - gold foil details - LIMITED Edition
- GOLDEN = Gold color with gold foiling OR "repackaged" Black Edition - gold all over - Gold Foil GILDING - LIMITED Edition, Kickstarter Exclusive
- WHITE = White with gold details - gold foiling OR CMYK/metallic ink - LIMITED Edition, Kickstarter Exclusive
- DYNASTINAE = Green combined with gold foiling - Gold Foil GILDING (except The Tale of the Tempest Dynastinae) - Different Tuck Box - Different Back - VERY LIMITED Edition, ONLY 777 made
- PRISM = Purple combined with silver holographic foiling (except The Tale of the Tempest Prism, which is only holographic foil) - Holographic Foil GILDING - Different Tuck Box - Different Back - VERY LIMITED Edition, ONLY 200 -0 500 made
Cantrell A Priori (CAP)
After working with the third project for the main line series, Kevin Cantrell invited The Gentleman Wake in his new lineup named "Cantrell A Priori". The decks in this line-up are all designed by Kevin Cantrell and produced by TGW. These are exclusive decks that will be available as Pre-Orders on the brand's micro-site. Each set will have two color variants of the deck placed inside a walnut case with an acrylic panel and neodymium magnets along with a custom coin embedeed on the cover lid. The cards will be gilded, produced by Cartamundi. Tuck box will be made by Studio Pression. The set is set at a fixed flat rate of $100, although it is set on $95 for the first week of the Pre-Order. Only 1000 sets made for each series - getting all four sets will grant you a special prize.
- The Goldsmith = The first deck in the CAP series, based on the golden age of printing through the invention of printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. The back design features the two-way illustration of the side profile of Gutenberg. The courts and the Aces are stylized to looked like the 16th century artworks and Renaissance era. The Numbered Cards feature customized pips with details on the inside along with small symbols on the negative spaces. The artworks will have gold cold foil on the details and the cards will be gilded with gold metallic foil. The coin mirrors the elements of the back design, done in 24K gold metal.
- Sanctuary = The second deck in the CAP series, based on the beautiful stain glass windows art found in European cathedrals. (TBA)
- Villa Beluno = The XXXX deck in the CAP series, inspired on the 1920s and 30s American era of Art Deco movement, based on the fabulous hotel and spa resort by the same name in Patagonia, San Pedro, Argentina. (TBA)
As of now, the Pre-Order system doesn't work out the way TGW is hoping for. There were a few complications, with one being that Cartamundi is on the move to Spain. With these, CAP will adjusted to be back on Kickstarter. Villa Beluno Playing Cards will no longer be part of the CAP - it will be an unlimited release.
Wyrmwood Gaming
In the new look and direction of The Gentleman Wake cinematic review video channel, Wake had been reviewing products other than playing cards, specifically tabletop gaming accessories. In particular, Wake had reviewed a few of products done by Wyrmwood Gaming. In recognition for the awesome reviews, Wyrmwood agrees on a partnership with The Gentleman Wake to create exclusive decks of playing cards for them. The decks made for them will include the brand's fantasy lore.
Wyrmwood Gaming is a company based in Massachusetts, USA. They are known for their high-quality gaming furniture and accessories. Their expertise in woodworking and craftmanship lead them to produce innovative gaming experiences, from modular tables to tabletop roleplaying accesories - dice trays, storage boxes, etc. For the playing cards line-up, Wyrmwood innovates the poker gaming cabinet - a small cabinet to store and display sets of poker chips along with two sets of three decks. Also, there will be gaming coins as well as wooden display cases. All of Wyrmwood decks are printed by WJPC.
- The Groundskeeper by Dan Gretta = The first collaboration deck is a deck designed to be Wyrmwood's first official playing cards designed for gameplay in style. The tuck box design features an elaborate framework of temples and greeneries. There are two parts of the box: the sleeve box has a die-cut window that peeks into the illustration of two woman lounging by the great tree. The main box feature the continuation of the illustration, making it as one big scene. The courts are custom illustrations, yet they are close alike to the classic courts. The pips are custom designed to have halves of the suit to have wood pattern done in gold metallic ink/foil. The Jokers features an identical illustration of a smoking frog sitting on a pile of books, namely the "Groundskeeper".
- The Corrupted by Xia Hunt = The second collaboration deck, it's a seasonal Halloween themed deck. It is based on Wyrmwood's project in 2021 - The Corrupted Tarot, a divination deck illustrated by a group of artists, which include the designer for this deck. Combining that tarot with a deck of playing cards, this series of decks are made for collectors, divinators, and game players. The tuck box features an array of foils and embossing of wicked tree branches (Wyrmwood's shield logo with tree that outgrows from the frame) and the mirror of the back design. The number cards are made as transformation decks, where the pips are interacting with the illustrations on respective card. The suits are associated with the four items like from the Tarot, with symbolisms on the number cards exists can be found. The courts feature a one-way design of royals with two different sides of good and evil - they are each associated with the 12 Zodiacs (as depicted on their corrupted side). The Jokers feature the Sun and the Moon, interchanging sides of Day and Night. All of the cards have gold foil on the cards. The Twilight Editions (Teal/Violet) will feature gold gilded edges, while The Chaotic Night Edition will feature black gilded edges.
TOTAL Decks: 19 (27)
Decks List - The Gentleman Wake
- Decks are grouped based on the series. Release year will be included. Do take notice on the special footnote for each series for extra information.
- Decks with a single star are Limited Decks (Black - White - Gold). Not limited to any extra variants.
- Decks with double stars are Dynastinae and Prism Editions. Not limited to Editions that are Kickstarter Exclusives (not available outside the campaign)
- Parlour Playing Cards (2019-2024)
- Wine Red - Red
- Navy Blue - Blue
- (*) Black - Black w/ Gold Cold Foil
- (*) Wine Red MINI
- (*)(*) Dynastinae - Green w/ Gold Cold Foil, Gold Gilding
Dynastinae line-up starts from this series.
Parlour Dynastinae tuck box features the illustration of the rhinoceros beetle along with the monograms of Stockholm 17 and The Gentleman Wake, with addition of Damask pattern embossing.
Available for this series are:- Parlour Gaff Pack = Small envelope containing gaff cards to be used for magic, compatible with Wine Red and Navy Blue Edition.
- Parlour Coin = Classic yet custom coin fashioned for coin magic: Front side shows the beetle, Back side shows the TGW monogram.
- The Tale of the Tempest Playing Cards (2020-2021)
- Dusk - Eggplant Red
- Ocean - Navy Blue
- (*) Midnight - Gunmetal Black w/ Gold Coil Foil
- (*) Treasure - Gold w/ Gold Cold Foil, Gold Gilding
- (*)(*) Dynastinae - Green w/ Gold Hot Foil, Green Card Stock
- (*)(*) Prism - Black w/ Holographic Hot Foil, Black Card Stock
- (*)(*) The Great Wylenti - White w/ Gold Hot Foil, Patterned Border, Mirrored Design
Prism line-up starts from this series. The Tale of the Tempest Prism is only 200 made.
Dynastinae/Prism tuckbox features the illustration of a ship's sail with the rhinoceros beetle done in gold/holographic foil. The title and banner extends onto the very long tuckflap. There is an additional bottom sleeve that is shaped like waves of sea featuring the edition name, used to hold the flap in place and deck closes. Combining the sleeve with the box creates the illustration of a ship sailing on the sea. Deck comes in sealed plastic bag. These two editions are specially printed by Oath Playing Cards in Greece.
The Great Wylenti Edition is a gift for the backers in Black Friday. It features letter-pressed gold ink on white matte stock. The back design is mirrored from the original, the artworks done in gold hot foiling. The border of the cards have gold hot foil wave pattern.
Available for this series are:- Tale of the Tempest Gaff Pack = Small envelope containing gaff cards to be used for magic, compatible with Dusk and Ocean Edition.
- Tale of the Tempest Coin = Custom coin fashioned to be collectible coins: Front side shows the side profile of The Great Wylenti, Back side shows the TGW monogram.
- The Successor Playing Cards (2022)
- Regal Red - Red
- Royal Blue - Blue
- (*) Imperial Black - Black w/ Gold Cold Foil
- (*) Monarch White - White w/ Gold Cold Foil
- (*)(*) Dynastinae Rex - Green w/ Gold Cold Foil, Ambigram Back, Gold Gilding
- (*)(*) Dynastinae Prism - Purple w/ Holographic Cold Foil, Ambigram Back, Holographic Gilding
- (*)(*) Legacy - Black w/ Gold Cold Foil, Black Gilding, Golden Tuck Box w/ Triptych Sleeve
The Successor Dynastinae Prism is only 400 made. ONLY available within the Sarcophagus Set.
Dynastinae/Prism tuck box features the illustration of a medieval stylised title with the golden shield showing the iconic rhinoceros beetle. These both editions featuring a different back design: the Ambigram back featuring the Successor name that can be read both ways.
Monarch White and Dynastinae Prism will have an additional deck sleeve. The sleeve will have a custom relief attached on it. The relief shows a sculpted illustration of the Coronation of the new king scene done in Antique Gold and Silver respectively.
Legacy Edition features a golden premium pearlescent tuck box with many layers of colorful foiling that comes with an additional sleeve. This sleeve features an illustration of a king rested on his deathbed with the Successor title. Having three of the same decks will be able to display the artwork. Legacy Edition line-up starts from this series - it is Kickstarter exclusive deck, only available throughout the campaign.
This series have an exclusive collector's set box made of black piano lacquered wood complete with artwork details done in gold foil. The lid of the box has a sculpted artwork of a king rested on his death bed with the series title. The box is able to contain all of the main 6 deck editions.
This series shared its inspiration from Kevin Cantrell's finest work with Art of Play: The Standards Playing Cards, deck based on the Gold Standard and British Monarchy. The overall deck design with the collector's boxset idea shares the resemblance, yet much more elaborate and luxurious.
Available for this series are:- The Successor Uncut Tuck Cases = Fresh sheets made by Studio Pression before they are cut and folded.
- The Successor Legacy T-Shape Carat Case = A special carat case in T-shaped to house 3 Legacy Editions to create the triptych image of the king's tomb.
- Beetle Backs Playing Cards (2023)
- Crimson - Red (WIP)
- Cobalt - Blue (WIP)
- (*) Prestige - Black w/ Gold Cold Foil (WIP)
- (*)(*) Dynastinae - Green w/ Gold Cold Foil, Monogram Back, Gold Gilding (WIP)
- (*)(*) Prism - Purple w/ Holograhic Cold Foil, Monogram Back, Holographic Gilding (WIP)
- (*)(*) Legacy - Black w/ Gold Cold Foil, Gold Gilding (WIP)
- Crimson MAGIC - Red, Marked (WIP)
The Beetle Backs Prism is only 500 made.
Dynastinae/Prism tuck box features the portrait illustration of the entomologist in anthromorphic rhinoceros beetle form. These both editions featuring a different back design: the Monogram back featuring two-way back of TGW monogram with double figures of anthropomorphic rhinoceros beetle - the entomologist himself.
Magic Bundle Beetle Backs is a special bundle tailored for magicians. It has a gaff pack containing 14 cards and the first ever TGW deck that is marked!
The courts with hidden beetles shared its inspiration from Widakk's design with Riffle Shuffle: Devils in the Details Playing Cards, deck that talks about the devil hidden in plain sight. As we find the hidden devils in the artworks of "Devils in the Details", so as we find the hidden rhinoceros beetles in the courts of "Beetle Backs".
Available for this series are:- Beetle Backs Uncut Tuck Cases = Fresh sheets made by Studio Pression before they are cut and folded.
- Beetle Backs Coin = Custom coin fashioned to be collectible coins: Front side shows the side profile of Theodore G. Williford as a rhino beetle, Back side shows the TGW monogram.
- The Grave Witness Playing Cards (2024)
- Crimson - Red (WIP)
- Azure - Blue (WIP)
- (*) Midnight Mystery - Black w/ Gold Cold Foil (WIP)
- (*)(*) Dynastinae - Green w/ Gold Cold Foil, Portraits Back, Gold Gilding (WIP)
- (*)(*) Prism - Purple w/ Holographic Cold Foil, Portraits Back, Holographic Gilding (WIP)
- (*)(*) Blood Moon - Black w/ Red Hot Foil, Portraits Back, Red Gilding (WIP)
Coming soon on Kickstarter after the Beetle Backs. More info to be announced.
There will a puzzle infused within the decks, allowing you to try solve the murder mystery.
Midnight Mystery/Dynastinae/Prism/Blood Moon tuck box features an extra deck sleeve with die-cut window. Removing the main tuck box will reveal the illustration of the manor's lounge with the suspects gathered in the room inside the sleeve.
Dynastinae/Prism/Blood Moon feature a different back design: The two-way portrait of Orson Payne with 12 different guests surrounding the central portraits composed within the filligre framework - a subtle one-way back design.
Blood Moon will be first TGW's deck to be printed other than Cartamundi - it will be printed by WJPC with red hot foil with red gilding.
Cantrell A Priori (CAP)
- The Goldsmith Playing Cards (Series 001)
- Black GILDED Gold (WIP)
- White GILDED Gold (WIP)
- + Antique Gold Coin - Johannes Gutenberg (WIP)
- Sanctuary Playing Cards (Series 002)
- Sanctuary Deck A (WIP)
- Sanctuary Deck B (WIP)
- + Sanctuary Coin (WIP)
Pre-Order is available on https://www.thegentlemanwake.com
Wyrmwood Gaming
- The Groundskeeper Playing Cards (2023)
- Crimson - Red (WIP)
- Cobalt - Blue (WIP)
- (*) Luxury - Green w/ Gold Cold Foil, Gold Gilding (WIP)
- (*)(*) Prismatic - Black w/ Holographic Cold Foil, Holographic Gilding (WIP)
There is also available Grounds
- The Corrupted Playing Cards (2023)
- Twilight Violet (WIP)
- Twilight Teal (WIP)
- (*) Chaotic Night (WIP)
- (*)(*) Prismatic (WIP)
The project will be done under Wyrmwood Gaming with The Gentleman Wake as collaborator and creative director. They will be funded through Kickstarter and fulfilled through Wyrmwood Webstore (be careful with this site)
TBA
Villa Beluno Deck A
Villa Beluno Deck B