Sorcerer's Apprentice Marked Playing Cards from Penguin Magic turn one of the world's best-known tales of magic into a beautifully illustrated, fully custom working deck. Inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's 1797 poem Der Zauberlehrling—better known as The Sorcerer's Apprentice—the deck combines old-world woodcut styling with a cleverly disguised, openly readable marking system.
Designed by Douglas Fuchs with art direction by Kevin Reylek, the Blue edition was produced in a limited printing of only 2,500 individually numbered decks.
A Fully Marked Deck Hidden in Plain Sight
The ornate blue-and-white card back incorporates the Sorcerer's spellbook, enchanted brooms, flowing water, and other elements from the classic story. Hidden within that artwork is an openly readable marking system that identifies both the suit and value of every card.
The markings blend naturally into the detailed design, making the deck useful for card magic and mentalism while still looking like a sophisticated custom playing card deck.
Custom Artwork Throughout the Deck
The Sorcerer's Apprentice is customized from the card backs through the court cards, Aces, and Jokers. The woodcut-inspired artwork gives the deck an antique magical character without sacrificing readability during normal play.
Hearts and Diamonds use a deep red palette, while Spades and Clubs use dark blue with lighter blue accents. Several court cards perform small magical feats of their own, and the custom Jokers feature the enchanted broom and the overflowing water that define the original Sorcerer's Apprentice story.
UltraLux Finish and AquaFlow Coating
Penguin Magic built the deck for actual handling as well as collecting. Sorcerer's Apprentice Playing Cards use casino-grade European card stock with Penguin's exclusive UltraLux™ Finish and AquaFlow™ Coating.
The linen-textured cards are traditionally cut for clean edges and reliable handling. They are designed to feel comfortable quickly out of the box while remaining durable enough for regular magic, cardistry, card games, and practice.
Premium Numbered Tuck Box
The Blue edition comes in a premium matte blue paper tuck box featuring the Sorcerer casting his spell. White foil artwork appears on both the exterior and interior of the box, and each deck is finished with an individually numbered silver-foil seal.
Key Features
- Limited Blue edition — only 2,500 decks produced
- Individually numbered silver-foil seal
- Designed by Douglas Fuchs
- Art direction by Kevin Reylek
- 100% custom woodcut-style artwork
- Openly readable marking system identifies both suit and value
- Custom Aces, court cards, Jokers, pips, and card backs
- Penguin Magic UltraLux™ Finish
- AquaFlow™ Coating
- Casino-grade European card stock with linen texture
- Traditionally cut
- Includes two additional gaff cards
- Premium matte blue tuck box
- White foil on the exterior and interior of the tuck
- Printed with vegetable-based inks and a water-based coating
Product Details
| Deck | Sorcerer's Apprentice – Blue Edition |
| Producer | Penguin Magic |
| Designer | Douglas Fuchs |
| Art Direction | Kevin Reylek |
| Theme | Magic, sorcery, The Sorcerer's Apprentice |
| Card Size | Poker size |
| Index | Standard index |
| Marking System | Openly readable suit-and-value markings |
| Stock | Casino-grade European card stock |
| Finish | UltraLux™ Finish with AquaFlow™ Coating |
| Cut | Traditional cut |
| Extras | 2 gaff cards |
| Packaging | Matte blue tuck with white foil inside and outside |
| Seal | Individually numbered silver-foil seal |
| Print Run | 2,500 decks |
Sorcerer's Apprentice is especially well suited to magicians, mentalists, marked-deck enthusiasts, cardists, and collectors who want a working marked deck that does not look like a conventional trick deck. The concealed reader system adds practical utility, while the artwork and individually numbered packaging make the deck equally appealing as a limited-edition collectible.