Quote from: yoelanshel on April 20, 2013, 09:09:35 AM

Well from all I hear about the Cartamundi and Paulsons not really sure id want them to use.  Maybe just to have a complete set.  Ive also been doing some digging on the USPC 1 Decks and haven't really came up with too much.

Ive actually been trying to date the deck.  The Magic Castle opened in 1962.  Tax stamps were still required until 1965 so it had to be after 65.  From what I've found most of my vintage decks are dating between the early 50's and 70's.  Alot of these decks date to early 70's so thats what I'm guessing but cant be sure.  On special runs the date code is not always printed on the AoS.

As I stated, I can't speak for the Paulson decks myself, but they are a big casino supplier in Nevada.  Casinos usually don't buy crap decks, unless they're crap casinos, and crap casinos tend to have a shorter life span.  The Cartamundis, however, are certified crap, start to finish.

Judging from the clothing and hairstyles in the Michael Ammar video where he's using a pack of the USPC I version, I'd date the deck to between the early 1970s and early 1980s.  As I said earlier, I can't imagine they had the extra funds so early in their history that they could use it on their own brand of playing cards, especially since magicians more commonly used Bicycle Rider Backs back then and it is a pretty exclusive place - have to be a member or a member's guest for most functions/events.  I'm thinking they didn't make their decks until some years after opening day, well past the tax stamp days.  It's guesswork, but it's educated guesswork.  As far as when they stopped making the USPC I deck, I don't know but it couldn't have been recently - they're VERY scarce.  You know how magicians are with their cards - use 'em up, toss 'em out, get some more, etc.  You'd stand a better chance of finding it if you joined 52 Plus Joker and became active with them.

I think i read somewhere that the Vernon revelations series was filmed in 1982 ( I believe that's where that clip was from). If that helps you date the deck at all.

I had the same issue as all of you. I was able to snag 6 decks but missed out on the blue lux freebie. I was able to get four of the blue's when they came out though so it's not that big of a deal.

I wonder how many they were offering though? I picked up mine about 10 min after the start time and still missed out. it would seem they only had a very small amount in that tier given the quickness of the stock going. oh well, to be honest I wasn't expecting any tier bonuses so it would have been a plus but I still would have bought the decks regardless, so no harm done.

Quote from: TheDespotes on March 24, 2013, 03:29:31 PM

Are the studs with the old boxes from ohio a deck with excellent handling? How do they compare with bikes and tally's?

Studs, old and new, are pretty much on par with comparable Bicycle decks of the same period; same materials used to make them both.  They're not exceptional, but they are solid performers with an attractive deck back and classic Arrco faces - some magicians preferred them.  Back when they were still in print, they typically sold about a dollar less than a pack of Bikes.  I still think Walgreens was not thinking straight when they opted to drop this brand and replace it with Play Right decks.

They're a good find if you can get them at a reasonable price.

I couldn't agree more, we used to buy them by the dozen (i still have about 25 or so left). they were inexpensive (compared to anything else on the market) mind you this was when tally ho's were $4.99 a pc. at most magic retailers. but they performed as well as any bike deck out there and looked good doing it. One of the best things about this deck, for me, was they originally came with four jokers and no ad cards. the extra jokers came in handy all the time.

Package should be waiting for me when i get home!!! 

Quote from: S.C. on March 17, 2013, 05:37:23 PM

yeah that was pretty tight. Im not sure exactly how kickstarter works but can the creator pledge on their own project? i mean if it were me and it was a matter of $100.00 to get my project funded I would throw it in. Maybe they don't allow it, i dunno?

They don't allow it.  It's roughly equivalent to shill bidding on eBay.  Tossing in self-generated pledges makes the project appear more popular than it actually is, which can entice more pledges and possibly get it noticed and featured by KS.  You project needs to stand on its own merits - your "self funding" has to come from outside the project.

I had a feeling it was something along those lines. thanks for clearing it up don. 

Quote from: S.C. on March 14, 2013, 01:45:31 PM

Quote from: BiggerDee on March 14, 2013, 01:40:31 PM

Be careful...I just went out to check mine, and the Aloys site said that I needed to pay,a nd gave me the Pay Now button link. Trouble is, I already paid on the night that the cards went on sale,a nd the sale that night appears as a completed item on Paypal. I've ordered from Aloys multiple times and have never had to do anything beyond the standard order form on the day of the sale. Make sure that you don't pay twice.

I was worried about this too, but thers a button that says "make paid" and it opens a window for you to populate with the paypal invoice number, etc... then the account shows as paid.

Just wants to THANK YOU, SC! I went and gave the transaction ID. But I don't remember what I did to made it "PAID"...
I think I did send an email to ALOYSTUDIO.com

Thanks again!

I'm glad i could help.  I wrote them an email when i realized the situation and  just got one back saying that my shipment will go out next week. so hopefully you will all get yours soon as well.

Be careful...I just went out to check mine, and the Aloys site said that I needed to pay,a nd gave me the Pay Now button link. Trouble is, I already paid on the night that the cards went on sale,a nd the sale that night appears as a completed item on Paypal. I've ordered from Aloys multiple times and have never had to do anything beyond the standard order form on the day of the sale. Make sure that you don't pay twice.

I was worried about this too, but thers a button that says "make paid" and it opens a window for you to populate with the paypal invoice number, etc... then the account shows as paid.

in case any one missed out i stumbled across this on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BICYCLE-GARDEN-TRUTH-03-BLACK-PLAYING-CARDS-Deck-NEW-VERY-RARE-LIMITED-/111028617822?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d9d2425e

its funny but with the free shipping its still cheaper than from the website (if you only wanted one)

oh by the way its not me selling in case you were wondering.

heres a few options for the back ive been working on.

opt 1



opt 2

Quote from: PrincessTrouble on March 08, 2013, 07:55:38 PM

I see 03 on the aloys site but not 04.  Where to get 04?

I read somewhere it's probably being released in May.

P.S. I've just ordered a brick myself.

I had asked this same question. he wrote back saying they were thinking in may but as r right now it's up in the air.

Quote from: S.C. on March 06, 2013, 05:28:20 PM

Quote from: Don Boyer on March 06, 2013, 12:00:49 AM

Quote from: hecrob on March 05, 2013, 07:09:21 PM

So it seems that david decided to sell the Red White Lions AGAIN....

they are up in his store...

also his special deal (shirt + 2 signed packs of blue white lions) its gone... 

Red is there, as is Black Label.  They were the last two decks offered and it would seem he found extra lying around in the back of the warehouse.  The Blue is still there as an autographed two-deck set, no shirt.  That deal's been moved to the White Lions Variety Box - which I'm really tempted to get...

i picked up the variety box W/o the shirt. It should be on my doorstep today (fingers crossed) with some extra decks of the black label and the silver split spades. That brick box the set comes in is pretty sweet!  i missed out on the last variety box he offered so i had to scoop this set up.

I know about those boxes.  The first one he did had a red bottom with a black lid, all the others have been all black.  I ordered a couple of boxes that arrived damaged and I ended up meeting him as a result of them - he personalized one of them for me, making it one of a kind!

We have a topic about it here somewhere.

Don,
that seems like a pretty nice deal. I've read some posts about him calling other people when their items were delayed, etc... seem like he's really in touch with his fan's which is hard to come by these days. I'm glad you got the opportunity to meet him (although I'm sure it was a frustrating road to get there with all the mishaps). I've seen the red/black boxes you described. I got my black box yesterday and its way sturdy compared to the normal brick boxes. I'm glad i picked one up although they released the red decks (singles) for sale after i ordered and shipping on two decks alone is a killer.  so i missed the boat on that by a day, oh well i have enough to tide me over....for now.

Just placed my order. thanks for the updates. I'm excited to get these in my hands.