Bicycle Espionage Sneak Peak

[PrincessTrouble]

I was the winner of the Club 808's Find Out First Contest.

You're the first person outside of the US Playing Card offices to see this artwork. We'll get the rest of the Club 808 community in on it with a mid-September content update that includes Bicycle® Espionage art in the What's On Deck feature.

I got permission to share with the forum community, so here you go:

[Don Boyer]

I was the winner of the Club 808's Find Out First Contest.

You're the first person outside of the US Playing Card offices to see this artwork. We'll get the rest of the Club 808 community in on it with a mid-September content update that includes Bicycle® Espionage art in the What's On Deck feature.

I got permission to share with the forum community, so here you go:

That's very cool - thanks for thinking of us humble folks here at the Discourse... 

I hope that's a low-res version of the final output, though!

[xela]

Cool concept for a deck of cards, can't wait to see the final product.

Thanks for sharing and congratulations on winning!

[Collector]

Ugly backs [point]

[MrMollusk]

Ugly backs [point]

The backs could use some retooling, but I'm loving those court cards!

I think a deck based on vintage spy/mafia movies is a super cool idea. This could have been done much worse.

[Don Boyer]

Ugly backs [point]

We're not likely seeing the final product - perhaps it's an untweaked CMYK image displayed in RGB.

The backs could use some retooling, but I'm loving those court cards!

I think a deck based on vintage spy/mafia movies is a super cool idea. This could have been done much worse.

It's looking more spy than Mafia - I see elements that could have been taken straight out of a few Bond films.

[Collector]

@MrMollusk, I agree.

@Don, I hope.

[blastercast]

Damn this deck looks nice!
I can't wait to see these in full, the backs aren't as great as the faces but I'm sure the courts will make up for that!
-Benny

[Rob Wright]

Bicycle® Espionage Decks

It’s almost time for the release of Bicycle® Espionage, one of our most unique decks of all time. With a subtle back design, a side-open tuck, custom court cards, and custom pips, it’s truly one of a kind.

Get yours in the Club 808 VIP Shop starting on December 1.

[Don Boyer]

Bicycle® Espionage Decks

It’s almost time for the release of Bicycle® Espionage, one of our most unique decks of all time. With a subtle back design, a side-open tuck, custom court cards, and custom pips, it’s truly one of a kind.

Get yours in the Club 808 VIP Shop starting on December 1.

Looks like the side-loading tuck boxes are becoming all the rage... 

[jmrock]

Gotta say… I like the boxes that open to the side… Perhaps it's just the fact that it's not too common or that it reflects a time passed… Either way, I like 'em… The box also lends itself to allowing for a larger surface area for a pic or layout that could be quite nice; however, in this case, the simple box design does not take advantage of the space…

[Don Boyer]

Gotta say… I like the boxes that open to the side… Perhaps it's just the fact that it's not too common or that it reflects a time passed… Either way, I like 'em… The box also lends itself to allowing for a larger surface area for a pic or layout that could be quite nice; however, in this case, the simple box design does not take advantage of the space…

Once they become a little more accustomed to the box design, I'm sure more designers will start taking full advantage of its possibilities.

[chach]

Check your emails guys, Bicycle sent out the memo to club 808 members just a bit ago.  Early release for the Espionage deck so you can get 25% off it too, though there's just a place holder right now.

[Rob Wright]

Check your emails guys, Bicycle sent out the memo to club 808 members just a bit ago.  Early release for the Espionage deck so you can get 25% off it too, though there's just a place holder right now.

Yea, No discount or Espionage deck yet!

[10ofclubs]

Everything's working now. The deck is out and the discount is up.

For about a minute I could add decks to my cart and they were only charging me shipping. The decks came up as $0.00. Did anyone else get this?

[chach]

Nope.  I just put my order though a few minutes ago, everything came up fine for me.  You probably got in there just as the system was updating.

[flyers3003]

Everything's working now. The deck is out and the discount is up.

For about a minute I could add decks to my cart and they were only charging me shipping. The decks came up as $0.00. Did anyone else get this?

I had this, but I got greedy trying to add as many decks as I could.  By the time I added my 10th item it had corrected itself.  I knew I should've hit checkout

[PrincessTrouble]

For about a minute I could add decks to my cart and they were only charging me shipping. The decks came up as $0.00. Did anyone else get this?

I ordered 6 decks for the $7.99 shipping.  About an hour later, I got an email saying my order was cancelled because of the discount glitch (100% off).  I reordered this morning at the 25% discount and, shortly after, got a call telling me they would be waiving shipping costs as a thank you for reordering after the glitch.

[flyers3003]

Well I got my Espionage decks in.  I like the custom courts a lot, but the backs and the tuck are just too dark.  That and they messed up the cellophane.  The cellophane opens at the top of the box like any other Bicycle deck, but since this deck is a side open tuck, the cellophane should've opened at the side, like the Exquisite Deck from CARC.  Because of this, you have to take the cellophane completely off.  Not a big deal for those of you that already do this when you open a deck.  But I, and I know a few others, prefer to keep the cellophane on.  Still, a nice deck for Club 808 members especially at the 25% off Black Friday deal.

[Don Boyer]

Well I got my Espionage decks in.  I like the custom courts a lot, but the backs and the tuck are just too dark.  That and they messed up the cellophane.  The cellophane opens at the top of the box like any other Bicycle deck, but since this deck is a side open tuck, the cellophane should've opened at the side, like the Exquisite Deck from CARC.  Because of this, you have to take the cellophane completely off.  Not a big deal for those of you that already do this when you open a deck.  But I, and I know a few others, prefer to keep the cellophane on.  Still, a nice deck for Club 808 members especially at the 25% off Black Friday deal.

Why does that bit about the cellophane not surprise me?  Well, I'm still looking forward to my deck purchases from Black Friday.

[ruicorreia]

I've got a question for you guys: I've received my Espionage decks and one thig is for sure: the stock and/or finish are not standard. Does anyone knows what kind of stock or finish were used?

[Firdawesome]

I've got a question for you guys: I've received my Espionage decks and one thig is for sure: the stock and/or finish are not standard. Does anyone knows what kind of stock or finish were used?

It feels like regular Bicycle stock with a smooth finish, not unlike an Aladdin.

[Don Boyer]

I'll look at it when I get home but I'm inclined to agree with Firdawesome.  It's likely comparable to Aladdins, Aviators and US-made Streamlines.  Aladdins, though, are specially treated (by what means I have no clue) to hold up better under hot and humid conditions, which is why they're so popular in Singapore, the lifelong residents there probably have little idea of what a Bicycle deck is...  If I had to guess, I'd say it was higher pressure between the rollers creating the "paper sandwich" that makes up playing card stock.

[ruicorreia]

Thank you Firdawesome and thank you Don.