[Mutant Racer]

Escape Map deck for GI's in WWII

During World War II, the United States Playing Card Company joined forces with American and British intelligence agencies to create a deck to help Allied prisoners of war escape from German POW camps. Individual cards in these decks peeled apart when moistened to reveal maps of escape routes. This new Escape Deck honors the secret circumstances surrounding the original map decks, as well any and all prisoners of war. While the cards do not peel apart when moistened, the map is visible on the front of the cards—and creates a complete map when placed in order.
The Escape Deck features original artwork on the front and backs of the cards, including the face cards and jokers. These decks were printed in the USA at the United States Playing Card Company and printed on premium stock with a quality finish.

The Secret Weapon deck

The Ace of Spades served a famous purpose in the war in Vietnam. In February, 1966, two lieutenants of Company "C," Second Battalion, 35th Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, wrote The United States Playing Card Company and requested decks containing nothing but the Bicycle® Ace of Spades. The cards were useful in psychological warfare. The Viet Cong were very superstitious and highly frightened by this Ace. The French previously had occupied Indo-China, and in French fortunetelling with cards, the Spades predicted death and suffering. The Viet Cong even regarded lady liberty as a goddess of death. USPC shipped thousands of the requested decks gratis to our troops in Vietnam. These decks were housed in plain white tuckcases, inscribed "Bicycle® Secret Weapon." The cards were deliberately scattered in the jungle and in hostile villages during raids. The very sight of the Bicycle® Ace card was said to cause many Viet Cong to flee.
The Bicycle® Secret Weapon deck was reprinted during Operation Desert Shield. This time the decks were printed as a war-time tradition more than a psychological weapon.
NOTE: This is not a standard playing card deck. It contains 55 copies of Ace of Spades and a History of the Secret Weapon card.

[2012-1822]

That's pretty cool.

[2SScamaro2010]

Wow that's pretty neat, thanks for sharing.

[The_Blur]

That's awesome.

[Red Jewel RS]

Enjoyed the history lesson !!
Awesome. Thanks

[Interlux]

You did this to me last year too...and as a result I went on and found this deck as a great stocking stuffer.

Darn you for sharing these amazing things I must buy!

[Interlux]

I had already purchased the WWII map deck - is the secret weapon deck available for purchase on their site? I can't seem to find it.

[Mutant Racer]

Originally Posted by Interlux

I had already purchased the WWII map deck - is the secret weapon deck available for purchase on their site? I can't seem to find it.

The Bicycle website is poorly kept up to date with all the stuff they are releasing so you have to go here...

http://www.shopbicyclecards.com/Bicycle-Cards-C42.aspx

[Interlux]

Originally Posted by Mutant Racer

The Bicycle website is poorly kept up to date with all the stuff they are releasing so you have to go here...

http://www.shopbicyclecards.com/Bicycle-Cards-C42.aspx

Thanks again!