University of Essex

A deck of cards was produced for the University of Essex in around 2005-2006. The cards are slightly large and include a third joker with dates for applications. The back of the box lists open day dates in 2006, contact details, and a list of the degree courses offered by the University - including “space hopping”. The University of Essex give out these packs to visiting school children as part of their marketing strategy, and “space hopping” is NOT a degree course offered, but rather was slipped in as a joke. Each ace has the same picture, in keeping with the courts and two jokers which are likewise the same. See the box→

Addendum from Peter Burnett

Interestingly, the University of Essex produced a similar pack one year earlier. The back of the box lists open day dates in 2005, while the extra card gives information about the University application process for 2005-2006. While the Jokers, Aces, Jacks and Queens show the same images as the later pack (shown above), the Kings have a different image. The image on the card backs and the box shows the same image as that which appears on the Kings on the later edition. See the box►

Above: earlier edition of University of Essex playing cards. Images courtesy Peter Burnett.