Imperial Deck - IN PROGRESS

[RandyButterfield]

Finished up the King of Hearts.
No comments in a while. Did I scare everyone away with the back-and-forth with Lief?

thanks, Randy

[Don Boyer]

Finished up the King of Hearts.
No comments in a while. Did I scare everyone away with the back-and-forth with Lief?

thanks, Randy

I doubt that.  It's just been a little busy in the deck world lately.

[RandyButterfield]

I was never 100% satisfied with the original Egg for the Back Card.
It was the first one, and I changed up a lot of the way I built them when I created the Queen of Spades (Egg #2).

Here's a look at the Back Card with a brand new Red Egg.

thanks, Randy

[Don Boyer]

I was never 100% satisfied with the original Egg for the Back Card.
It was the first one, and I changed up a lot of the way I built them when I created the Queen of Spades (Egg #2).

Here's a look at the Back Card with a brand new Red Egg.

thanks, Randy

A modification of the Jack of Hearts - looks good!

Are you planning to create a differently-colored back for a second deck?  It practically begs to be done... 

Interesting thought - you could conceal a marking system in those "strands" emanating from the center...

[RandyButterfield]

A modification of the Jack of Hearts - looks good!

Are you planning to create a differently-colored back for a second deck?  It practically begs to be done... 

Interesting thought - you could conceal a marking system in those "strands" emanating from the center...

Thanks Don!

Yep, I wanted the Back Egg to tie in with the Hearts. I went with a sort of mix of the Jack and King of Hearts' Eggs.

Just one Back color for this one. I don't want to be known as a designer who always does color variations and sets! Plus, it gets expensive with the custom Boxes. I really like Soliloquy's idea of doing a sequel Deck of Psyanky Eggs. That would be a great pairing with the Imperial Deck! I wouldn't start on it until sometime in 2014 though.

I don't have much experience with Marked Decks. I realized the possibility when I was fine-tuning the Gold notches in the borders. I'm not sure if I'll actually go through with it or not.

Thanks, Randy

[Don Boyer]

A modification of the Jack of Hearts - looks good!

Are you planning to create a differently-colored back for a second deck?  It practically begs to be done... 

Interesting thought - you could conceal a marking system in those "strands" emanating from the center...

Thanks Don!

Yep, I wanted the Back Egg to tie in with the Hearts. I went with a sort of mix of the Jack and King of Hearts' Eggs.

Just one Back color for this one. I don't want to be known as a designer who always does color variations and sets! Plus, it gets expensive with the custom Boxes. I really like Soliloquy's idea of doing a sequel Deck of Psyanky Eggs. That would be a great pairing with the Imperial Deck! I wouldn't start on it until sometime in 2014 though.

I don't have much experience with Marked Decks. I realized the possibility when I was fine-tuning the Gold notches in the borders. I'm not sure if I'll actually go through with it or not.

Thanks, Randy

The pysanky deck is a great idea.

If you want help with devising a good marking system, let me know.  Even if you don't go for fully marked, you should at least consider a subtle one-way mark - I mean REALLY subtle, like many of the early E decks had.  Practically every deck they've made has a one-way mark on it!

[sprouts1115]

Got any first concept of the Jokers? Your close to getting done. I think earlier y"all  (texas) mentioned the Joker would be open at the top.

[RandyButterfield]

Yep, I have a plan for the Jokers. They'll be Green / Purple, one will be closed and one will be open. I'll tackle them once I get the last two courts finished up - the Jack and King of Spades.

No work will be done this coming week though. My wife and I arrived in New York yesterday afternoon for vacation. Today we went to the Met and saw 3 Imperial Eggs and a few other Faberge pieces! After spending the day at the museum and seeing the sights we had to take a little time off though - and catch Iron Man 3 in Times Square. Loved it!

Thanks, Randy

[Don Boyer]

Yep, I have a plan for the Jokers. They'll be Green / Purple, one will be closed and one will be open. I'll tackle them once I get the last two courts finished up - the Jack and King of Spades.

No work will be done this coming week though. My wife and I arrived in New York yesterday afternoon for vacation. Today we went to the Met and saw 3 Imperial Eggs and a few other Faberge pieces! After spending the day at the museum and seeing the sights we had to take a little time off though - and catch Iron Man 3 in Times Square. Loved it!

Thanks, Randy

How long are you here for?  I'm on vacation until Friday at 11pm.

[sprouts1115]

Randy - Sound good with the Joker being different on each reversible side.  I think that is the current trend. 

Pretty cool your actually checking out imperial eggs for research.

[RandyButterfield]

Had a great time in New York. We definitely did more Playing Card related activities than anticipated. Ended up having lunch and visiting Tannen's Magic Store with Don Boyer and his very nice wife. Plus, we also got to visit the Conjuring Arts Research Center and have lunch with Bill Kalush (thanks to Don!). It was a great trip!!

Now that we're back I want to go full steam ahead to get the Imperial Deck ready for print. Here's a Flat and Render of the finished Imperial Tuck Box! Gold Foil on the Inside - much like an Imperial Egg's interior.

thanks, Randy

[Don Boyer]

Had a great time in New York. We definitely did more Playing Card related activities than anticipated. Ended up having lunch and visiting Tannen's Magic Store with Don Boyer and his very nice wife. Plus, we also got to visit the Conjuring Arts Research Center and have lunch with Bill Kalush (thanks to Don!). It was a great trip!!

I'm just glad that worked out - I can only imagine the conversation you had with Bill!  Good times...  Sorry I couldn't be there, but I did promise Anna to be somewhere else at the time.  I'm pleased that you and your wife enjoyed the trip - feel free to look me up next time you're in the area.

The Imperial deck is REALLY coming together.  Is that a release date I smell?  It's getting stronger... 

[RandyButterfield]

Thanks Don! So far the cards are turning out even better than I envisioned at the beginning. I'm very happy with how they're coming along!

Here's the finished card for the Jack of Spades. Some of you may notice a little nod to the ORNATES in this one.
Just 1 more Court, the Jokers and Gaffs and this puppy will be ready to go!

thanks, Randy

[RandyButterfield]

Just finished up the last of the Court Cards! All that's left are the Jokers and Gaffs.
Here's a look at the final Spades and a closeup of the King of Spades Egg.
I also did some revisions to the Jack of Spades since last posting here.

thanks, Randy

[RandyButterfield]

Hey Everyone,

Scott Carey from Tuck Case posted an interview with myself if anyone's interested. It goes into why I got started with card design, my background and a little about my family.

http://tuckcase.com/2013/06/05/exclusive-interview-with-randy-butterfield-of-midnight-card-company/

thanks, Randy

[Don Boyer]

Great interview, Randy.

[RandyButterfield]

Thanks Don!

Here's the finished Gaff Card and Midnight Ad Card.
The Gaff Card is a nod to the very first Imperial Egg, the Hen Egg. The idea for the Ad Card was to make it appear to be an extra court card.

thanks, Randy

[Bill Collins]

The back of this deck (and the rest as far as that goes) has just got great style to it. This deck will be one of the few non Bicycle branded decks in my collection.
Not much more I can say other than Great Job.

[Don Boyer]

Thanks Don!

Here's the finished Gaff Card and Midnight Ad Card.
The Gaff Card is a nod to the very first Imperial Egg, the Hen Egg. The idea for the Ad Card was to make it appear to be an extra court card.

thanks, Randy

If you give the ad card the same backing as the rest of the deck, it could be used as a fine substitute card in the event one is lost or damaged.