Hypothesis Presents
THE ORANGE TREE DECK
Playing Card Design by MT Yang
｜The Birth of the Deck｜
THE ORANGE TREE is a tribute to the legendary magic prop created by Robert-Houdin, the father of modern magic. This deck merges light-reactive ink with intricate illustrations, combining cutting-edge printing techniques and artistic elegance—just as Houdin did by bringing a seemingly ordinary orange tree to life through ingenious mechanical design and stagecraft, making it bloom and bear fruit before the audience’s eyes.
｜Card Box Design｜
Crafted from premium black cardstock with gold and silver foiling, the card box radiates the elegance of a magician.
The front cover draws inspiration from 19th-century theatrical posters, featuring bold titles, ornate borders, and detailed emblems. These elements echo the visual style of vintage advertisements while illustrating the moment the orange tree bears fruit under sunlight.
As you open the card box, you’ll first encounter the “medieval pistol” illustration on the lid. Further inside, the dust flap reveals an orange blossom, while the inner tab displays a ring—each symbolizing a part of the original Orange Tree magic routine.
｜Back Design｜
The back features a luxurious border composed of intricate motifs and the iconic scene of two butterflies lifting a handkerchief—a signature moment in the Orange Tree act. The handkerchief’s flowing texture extends across the background, seamlessly connecting to the central orange tree.
｜Face Design｜
➀ Pips & Indices
All four suits are redesigned in logo-style. The Clubs are reimagined as rounded tree shapes, and this aesthetic is adapted across the other suits. Indices are set in Minion Pro, a serif typeface inspired by classical Latin script—evoking a timeless, elegant mood. Each Ace integrates the orange tree with its corresponding suit symbol.
➁ Court Cards
While maintaining a traditional silhouette, the court cards feature thematic elements—such as characters holding oranges or branches entwined around swords.
➂ Jokers
Three Jokers illustrate the transformation of the orange tree:
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A normal orange tree
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A tree bearing oranges
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A tree with an orange opening at the top
｜Under the Light｜
When exposed to light, the card backs change color, especially the border and oranges.
On the faces, hidden illustrations of oranges, butterflies, and flowers appear.
The Jokers reveal a final image of a butterfly flying away with a handkerchief holding a ring—a magical finale.
Produced by｜Hypothesis Magic Co., Ltd.
Concept by｜Hau Jiun Hsu
Designed by｜MT Yang
