talkmagic.co.uk

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/ten-things-you-didn-t-know-about-playing-cards/1413078

Other than the most expensive deck, the only "fact" I really found interesting was:

10. In modern decks, the Ace of Spades usually carries information about the company that printed the deck. This is an old tradition: from the 15th century right up until the 60s, cards printed in Britain were liable for a special tax, and the Ace of Spades carried a stamp that proved the tax had been paid.

I wonder if anyone can weave any of these into a patter line.

I like the oldest pack of cards which have been around since the 14th century... i can't go a two days from opening a pack, to losing a card.