A commercial photographer from New Richmond and a graphic designer from Sharonville have created a patriotic deck of playing cards they hope will be sold at U.S. post offices.

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        The designer, Bev Kirk, and the photographer, Kim D.M. Simmons, began work on the project in early 2001, in honor of war veterans.

        “Then Sept. 11 happened, and we refocused it a bit,” Ms. Kirk says. Suddenly, “This is something else . . . with different meanings.”

        “The Postal Service came out with United We Stand (flag) image for a stamp . . . honoring America and our veterans,” said Pat McAlpin-Levin, a former Cincinnatian who produces labels and cards in Florida for the post office.

        The partners decided to borrow the title.

        Each of the cards features a full-size still-life of soldier-sailor mementos. Face cards incorporate a selection of patriotic and war-themed stamps in lieu of images of kings and queens and jacks.

        Sixteen images celebrate flags and government buildings, women in the military, the Statue of Liberty, veterans of specific wars, veterans' organizations and memorials.

        In addition to the actual playing cards, produced at U.S. Playing Card Co. in Norwood, each deck box includes cards with the Pledge of Allegiance, the American's Creed and the Star-Spangled Banner.

        The original plan called for selling playing cards internally to Postal Service employees, Ms. Kirk said. But the marketing strategy was amended after an overwhelming initial response to the designs.

        “They're beautiful,” said Bonni G. Manies, spokeswoman for the Postal Service in Cincinnati. “I'm sure they would appeal to veterans, to any patriotic Americans, to people interested in history and to philateists.

        “I would love to get some sort of postal involvement in the rollout.”

        A decision on sales in local post offices, she said, is weeks away.

        To order a deck of United We Stand playing cards, send $4.95 plus $3.01 shipping and handling to Heritage Promotions Inc., 30 River Road, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, go to www.usmailstore.com.

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