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moonexe · « **on:** March 02, 2012, 02:25:50 PM »

Hey guys, my interest for Aristocrat decks has been growing over the past few weeks and I've been trying to find more information about the brand's history, old back designs, etc. but I've had very limited success so far. All I could find was a bunch of pictures of a few design variations.

If you guys have any information about anything Aristocrat-related, I'd love to learn more.
Here are a few pictures I found:
http://www.musclecars.net/parts/parts-images-large/sealed-blue-deck-of-aristocrat-727-playing-cards-mint_250778495572.jpg
http://www.leeasher.com/store/images/aristocrat/aristocrat-ace-big.jpg
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR2VOSUWAkek2SR5auX4pqwSA_qOk3r-NDmn8diwGe7892UR4vSGPhZgYYnqg
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/5920/dscn0548th.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/2h2pmc9.png
http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/vuawm.poqar/v/vspfiles/photos/1176-2.jpg

Collector · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2012, 07:00:13 PM »

check this also http://www.a.trionfi.eu/WWPCM/WWPCM/usa/USPC25.htm

digipunk · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2012, 08:08:01 PM »

Quote from: Moon.exe on March 02, 2012, 02:25:50 PM

Hey guys, my interest for Aristocrat decks has been growing over the past few weeks and I've been trying to find more information about the brand's history, old back designs, etc. but I've had very limited success so far. All I could find was a bunch of pictures of a few design variations.

If you guys have any information about anything Aristocrat-related, I'd love to learn more.
Here are a few pictures I found:
http://www.musclecars.net/parts/parts-images-large/sealed-blue-deck-of-aristocrat-727-playing-cards-mint_250778495572.jpg
http://www.leeasher.com/store/images/aristocrat/aristocrat-ace-big.jpg
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR2VOSUWAkek2SR5auX4pqwSA_qOk3r-NDmn8diwGe7892UR4vSGPhZgYYnqg
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/5920/dscn0548th.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/2h2pmc9.png
http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/vuawm.poqar/v/vspfiles/photos/1176-2.jpg

Regarding the pics you found:
1. It looks like the last run of Aristocrat 727 (round-corner sticker + barcode)
2. Old style AoS (it is different from the reprints)
3. Back No.2, but it is a Pinochle, not worth that much.
4. a frog (broken link from Imageshack)
5. Blue Ribbon 323 Urn Back (rare but very popular for collectors)
6. no comment.

Firstly you should try to find the history of Russell Playing Card Co via Google or the Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards or Collector's link. Aristocrat 727 has 3 back numbers and 2 finishes, only No.1 (aka Banknote) Linen Finish was reprinted last year.

These are my No.1 and No.3:

Aristocrat 727 are very elegant decks in my eyes. I really wish you may read Chinese 'cause we have some detailed articles here by senior collectors that always guide us in the right direction.

Valion (ARISTOCRAT 727 No. 1 2 3): http://www.wretch.cc/blog/VALION/7682413
Valion (ARISTOCRAT 727 Reprint Edition): http://www.wretch.cc/blog/VALION/7682600
River (ARISTOCRAT 727 風華絕代): http://www.wretch.cc/blog/river1219/1029990
River (LINEN FINISH): http://www.wretch.cc/blog/river1219/1059758

where "風華絕代" is an idiom meaning "graceful bearing that never reappears". You may watch their pics, but don't use Google Translate because it is very poor at Chinese-English.

digipunk · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2012, 11:41:09 PM »

More information here.

This is Jason England's tutorial of Zarrow Shuffle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbV-TXrXqM4
Aristocrat 727 is Herb Zarrow's favorite deck, so Jason England used this deck in the video to honor him.

digipunk · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2012, 03:33:42 AM »

Quote from: Collector on March 02, 2012, 07:00:13 PM

check this also http://www.a.trionfi.eu/WWPCM/WWPCM/usa/USPC25.htm

This might be better:
http://a.trionfi.eu/WWPCM/WWPCM/usa/russ.htm
http://a.trionfi.eu/WWPCM/decks02/d00873/d00873.htm

Russell Playing Card Co. 1912-1928
1912 - Aristocrat brand was created
1914 - RPCC acquired American Bank Note Co., and Aristocrat used the "American Beauty" jokers.
1929 - RPCC was acquired by USPCC
early 1980s - Aristocrat 727/414 discontinued
2011 - reprints

Though Aristocrat has many other models for use in casinos, only 727 and 414 (bridge size) are quality ones for magicians. Just like Arrco have many brands/models, but only Arrco Tahoe (back no.9) is quality one.

As Jason England said, "The only thing that really survives from the Aristocrat line today is the name".

Don Boyer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2012, 05:02:00 AM »

Quote from: digipunk on March 03, 2012, 03:33:42 AM

Though Aristocrat has many other models for use in casinos, only 727 and 414 (bridge size) are quality ones for magicians. Just like Arrco have many brands/models, but only Arrco Tahoe (back no.9) is quality one.

As Jason England said, "The only thing that really survives from the Aristocrat line today is the name".

What about the stock? Isn't it the same stock, even if the finish is not identical to the old stuff?

digipunk · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2012, 05:58:55 AM »

Quote from: Don Boyer on March 03, 2012, 05:02:00 AM

Quote from: digipunk on March 03, 2012, 03:33:42 AM
As Jason England said, "The only thing that really survives from the Aristocrat line today is the name".
What about the stock? Isn't it the same stock, even if the finish is not identical to the old stuff?

When Jason England said that, he didn't mean the reprints (not yet produced then), he meant the Aristocrat used in casinos. Unfortunately I don't like those casino Aristocrat and don't have those decks to compare with Aristocrat 727.

As for 727 reprints, they are different stocks and different handling from the original 727. I would say both of them are good. Even though I am not able to describe the difference of handling well in English, I can prove they are different stocks by comparing the thickness:

▼Aristocrat 727 reprints (2011)

▼Aristocrat 727 original - Linen Finish (1982)

▼Aristocrat 727 original - High Finish (1973)

digipunk · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2012, 03:43:01 PM »

Forgot to mention, Back No.1-2-3 are all one way design. Don't ask why...

Don Boyer · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2012, 12:10:17 AM »

Quote from: digipunk on March 03, 2012, 03:43:01 PM

Forgot to mention, Back No.1-2-3 are all one way design. Don't ask why...

But those marks are really tiny. They'd only be of use in a well-lit room under ideal circumstances. Performing in most restaurants or bars, you'd be hard pressed to spot the marks, I would think, despite there being so many of them.

Still, it's a cool one-way!

dancards · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2012, 02:31:25 PM »

The back designs comes from the American Bank Note Co. , I've seen at least 15 different bank note back designs , not counting pictorial backs which the company also produced.

About the Aristocrat 727 , the most popular backs are Back No.1 , Back No.2 and Back No.3 but these were not the only Aristocrat 727 designs.

I have some vintage Aristocrat 727 for sale if anyone is interested send me a PM

Don Boyer · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2012, 02:21:23 AM »

Quote from: dancards on March 04, 2012, 02:31:25 PM

The back designs comes from the American Bank Note Co. , I've seen at least 15 different bank note back designs , not counting pictorial backs which the company also produced.

About the Aristocrat 727 , the most popular backs are Back No.1 , Back No.2 and Back No.3 but these were not the only Aristocrat 727 designs.

I have some vintage Aristocrat 727 for sale if anyone is interested send me a PM

You should post your sale on the Sale/Trade/ISO board - check the board policies before posting.

moonexe · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2012, 12:52:14 PM »

Quote from: dancards on March 04, 2012, 02:31:25 PM

I have some vintage Aristocrat 727 for sale if anyone is interested send me a PM

PM sent.

@digipunk, how many cards did you use for the comparison? My stingers are actually thicker than my reprints...

digipunk · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2012, 08:54:14 PM »

Quote from: Moon.exe on March 05, 2012, 12:52:14 PM

Quote from: dancards on March 04, 2012, 02:31:25 PM
I have some vintage Aristocrat 727 for sale if anyone is interested send me a PM
PM sent.

@digipunk, how many cards did you use for the comparison? My stingers are actually thicker than my reprints...

52 cards and all of them are new decks. The black Stingers might be the thinnest modern deck, I use it as a criteria to measure the thickness of other decks.

▼Red Stinger (I was surprised by the result and recounted the number of cards of the 2 decks)