Legends Deck, coming Jan 2013 from David Blaine and Bill Kalush

[xela]

I hate to be the killjoy here but how am I the only one not hyped about these?

It says "1st edition" on the box which screams that they will re-release these every other week like they did with the White Lions.

The whole custom stock/finish thing seems sketchy. We KNOW FOR A FACT that USPCC doesn't do custom stocks/finishes, but even if DB developed with them - what are its properties? Smooth, even, non-furry edges are STAPLE in every custom USPCC deck. Bicycle Standards only have bad edges because they are low quality decks with little quality control.

So I am utterly confused here - aside from the art, which indeed does look fantastic, what is so special about these cards? They certainly don't seem collectible or innovative. I agree that art alone is more than enough reason to get a deck, but I don't agree that these cards are anything but another custom deck, albeit a high quality one.

[loldudex2]

Alex, I think everyone is so hyped because its a NON-USPCC deck, that David Blaine is producing, along with Bill, two people who don't put their names on just any deck. From the reviews I've heard from this company (ex. Russell from CCC) says these cards are immaculate and surpass USPCC.

I'm excited because everyone always says that the USPCC is as good as it gets, and with the release of this deck; there will be some new (much needed) competition over the playing card industry.

[xela]

NON-USPCC

Holy shit, didn't catch that. Are we sure it's not USPCC? From Evan's post, it was really vague.

[john]

The cards are not printed at USPCC or with USPCC card stock. It is entirely new stock, finish, paper, cut tooling, etc.

NON-USPCC

Holy shit, didn't catch that. Are we sure it's not USPCC? From Evan's post, it was really vague.

Pretty clear to me Japan...

[sr15]

while my wallet gently weeps...

[digipunk]

not a fan of this deck, the dragons look stupid to me... ⊙_⊙

[Siegismyname]

not a fan of this deck, the dragons look stupid to me... ⊙_⊙

The dragons on the tuck doesn't appeal to me. But I think the dragons and tiger/lion on the back looks good. Wouldn't it be great if they included the Blaine Porper clips to a few lucky people who buy this deck, just like how they are running a lucky draw for the 15-min Skype session with David Blaine himself.

[sway]

@Tuck box

Baratheon vs. Stark.

[Don Boyer]

NON-USPCC

Holy shit, didn't catch that. Are we sure it's not USPCC? From Evan's post, it was really vague.

John mentioned Japan, but I don't think it is.  Probably their best I know of is Angel Playing Cards, and they're good, but not the kind of good I keep hearing.

Knowing what I know about this project, I think they MIGHT (and that's a big MIGHT) have found the printer who did the work for the MSM decks.  Either that or Kalush went ahead and made his own print shop somewhere in Asia!  One way or another, I'm pretty sure this deck was made in East Asia.  Could be Hong Kong, Taiwan, China - I don't know.

@Tuck box

Baratheon vs. Stark.

? ? ?  I don't understand the reference.  I know it's from Game of Thrones, but I haven't watched or read it.

[Russell CircleCityCards]

I felt a deck from Taiwan where the edges were as smooth as glass. I know Bill and another gentleman have sample decks from all over SouthEast Asia.

[Don Boyer]

I felt a deck from Taiwan where the edges were as smooth as glass. I know Bill and another gentleman have sample decks from all over SouthEast Asia.

I know.  I loaned some decks to Alex Pandrea, who loaned them to Bill Kalush.  That was some months back.  Which deck are you referring to?

[Russell CircleCityCards]

This was mid-September at the Erlanger meet-up.

[Don Boyer]

This was mid-September at the Erlanger meet-up.

I loaned out the decks probably in July - it was before my wedding trip in mid-August.

Still - which deck is the one you mentioned, the Taiwanese models with edges like glass?  I'm itching to know!

[john]

NON-USPCC

Holy shit, didn't catch that. Are we sure it's not USPCC? From Evan's post, it was really vague.

John mentioned Japan, but I don't think it is

It's an inside joke between alex and i

[jmrock]

I would certainly think that these are USPCC... So what the company is Japanese... Tokidoki, Kaws, Oriental, Lu Chen, etc... All USPCC... I wouldn't see why Blaine would venture off and use another company given his history with USPCC... The deck looks nice... Again with every color under the sun... Call me nostalgic, but I miss the Red & Blue only days...

[Joker and the Thief]

I think I might purchase these! By the looks of it the shades of colour are going to be nice and the back looks great. It's not too heavy on the oriental stuff either. Not that I have anything against it.

[Don Boyer]

I would certainly think that these are USPCC... So what the company is Japanese... Tokidoki, Kaws, Oriental, Lu Chen, etc... All USPCC... I wouldn't see why Blaine would venture off and use another company given his history with USPCC... The deck looks nice... Again with every color under the sun... Call me nostalgic, but I miss the Red & Blue only days...

There's nothing wrong per se with USPC.  But certain aspects of how getting things done is handled leaves many deck designers frustrated at times.  I don't believe they're using a Japanese company - that was some inside joke between John and Alex.

USPC does good work when you pay for Q1, but there are some companies that do better.  I can show you a few decks when we (finally) meet to sell you those Americanas you wanted! 

BTW: you of all people should know that the traditional colors aren't exclusively blue and red.  A large number of now-vintage Bicycle decks were made in green and brown as well...  Green is no less traditional than red or blue.

[sway]

? ? ?  I don't understand the reference.  I know it's from Game of Thrones, but I haven't watched or read it.

I'm attaching the sigils of House Baratheon (the stag) and House Stark (the direwolf), so you can get the reference.

[Evan]

New pics!

I really like the back design! There's so much detail!

[Don Boyer]

New pics!

I really like the back design! There's so much detail!

There is.  These must be prototypes.  The boxes aren't embossed.  Good find!

[Evan]

So, I asked Lawrence if all of the colors are being released at once, and this was his reply:

"Yeah! That's the plan. The colors look really good. Decks feel great. Stiffer and thinner than uspcc. Different finish. Great edges and still faro well. Waiting for the big shipment now. Another few weeks."

[Siegismyname]

Here's another pic from Bill Kalush's instagram.

[Evan]

I got an update from Lawrence today:

"The Legends are printed and the quality is fantastic. Smooth edges with a thin and stiff stock. The artwork looks classic and crisp, with near perfect registration on the thin white borders.

There are 3,888 of each color printed, and a big chunk will be for my personal use, the rest will be sold. There are 10 uncuts in each color as well.

The tuck is Laminated, which gives it a different look and feel. The tuck is also thicker and more robust than a standard USPCC tuck. Best of all, the plastic seal actually opens the wrapper when you pull the tab" - Lawrence


These sound awesome!
And as you can see by the box, these are printed in Taiwan.

[Paul Carpenter]

So the box says printed in Taiwan. Who can tell me what premium company with beautiful smooth edges, perfect registration and laminated boxes made these over there? I'd love to know.

Googling found the Kuo Kau Paper Products company...

[MrMollusk]

So the box says printed in Taiwan. Who can tell me what premium company with beautiful smooth edges, perfect registration and laminated boxes made these over there? I'd love to know.

Googling found the Kuo Kau Paper Products company...

I don't think they're printing them. From what I see, they don't really do custom decks for cardistry and magic.
http://www.playingcards.com.tw/series2.html
What I really want to know is the playing card company that printed the Oriental Deck.