The Fan Back Arrow is a special edition of Tally-Ho, a brand founded in 1885 by Andrew Dougherty and now made by the United States Playing Card Company (USPCC). It appeared in 2022, aimed mainly at the Asian market, and carries the label “Cardistry No. 10”. It was released alongside the Circle Back Heart, in shades of pink and purple, and the two were also sold together in a box called True Love.

• PublisherTally-Ho (United States Playing Card Company)
• PrinterUnited States Playing Card Company
• Finishembossed Linoid
• Year2022
• Contents52 cards + 2 jokers + 1 double-backed gaff card (a trick card with a back on both sides, used in magic) + 1 blank-faced card

Design

The palette combines Tiffany blue and aqua green; those who have used it describe the green as vivid, though less loud than the pink of its companion. Both the back and the faces were redesigned with cardistry in mind (the art of creating eye-catching displays and moves with cards): the idea is for the artwork to stand out when fanning, spinning packets or doing aerial cuts, something for which Tally-Ho’s classic backs have long been highly valued among cardists.

Manufacturing

It is printed by USPCC in poker size on the stock the company reserves for cardistry. The finish is Linoid, an embossing (a very fine relief on the surface) similar to Bicycle’s Air Cushion, which reduces friction and helps the cards slide over one another.