Wayfarers Playing Cards by Joker and the Thief

[Joker and the Thief]

Hey everyone,

Here's the link to our latest project, launching on September 18th at 8am PDT.
100% custom, and printed in the U.S.A. We've been working on this one for 2 years!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jo ... ying-cards

Click the notify me button to be notified when we launch.

$10 Early Birds at Launch!

Cheers,
James
Joker and the Thief

[Harvonsgard]

Nice back. Do we get a sneak peak at the faces as well?

[Joker and the Thief]

There’s a few shots on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/CEJsm24HuMW ... xykaofzx2v

Drop us a follow!

[Harvonsgard]

And sold on 3... I love it. Checks all the boxes for me.

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[KingfisherZero]

Love these! My OCD is a LITTLE triggered byt he one way "JT" on the backs, but that's small compared to all the things I love about this.

The card backs make me think of a *way* better version of the T11 Voyagers.

[Fes]

Sold!

[Harvonsgard]

The card backs make me think of a *way* better version of the T11 Voyagers.

That pun . Regarding the Voyagers, I had the some thought. Voyagers intruiged me but never made me buy'em. These are a jackpot in my book.
I can't wait for the full reveal of the tuckbox. The teasing J&T already did let's me . Texture is super awesome. Let's hope the design will be as well.

[jhaneyzz]

I always hesitate with JT decks because the designs look too busy... then I buy them... and the decks are so well printed and executed that I love them.

I’m in...

And you nailed it with the Voyagers comparison. Could never talk myself into those.

[KingfisherZero]

I bought Voyagers because the tuck case was *that* good. The cards didn't live up. These look like they will.

[james001a]

This is a great looking deck. JT playing cards takes their time with their cards and does it right. I like everything I have seen so far with Wayfarers. I'm so in.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Back design is super boring IMO.

[Merlebird]

Back design is super boring IMO.

Gotta say I'm not a fan either. If it's the only way to get the courts, it's not so bad that I can't hold my nose and go for one anyhow, but it would be nice if it was a little less... brand-y. It's like all the visual elements are there just to dress up and focus attention on the text.

[markzero]

On the Ace of Spades, why are the waxing and waning phases of the moon the same?

[theCapraAegagrus]

Back design is super boring IMO.

Gotta say I'm not a fan either. If it's the only way to get the courts, it's not so bad that I can't hold my nose and go for one anyhow, but it would be nice if it was a little less... brand-y. It's like all the visual elements are there just to dress up and focus attention on the text.

You're alive!?

[Merlebird]

You're alive!?

Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.

On the Ace of Spades, why are the waxing and waning phases of the moon the same?

time is a flat circle and 2020 is a Bill Murray movie none of us will escape alive, welcome to the hell dimension

[Harvonsgard]

I mean, I was sold the moment I saw the courts but; yummy yummy

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[Eric Lee]

Very nice, but wish the blue colour is also used on the back and tucks. That was just enough to make it pop for me. But, this deck is what T11's Voyager should have been with the courts. Hey, it could be the unofficial 2nd ed!

[Harvonsgard]

Words of wisdom. That would indeed be even nicer if we would have some dark teal metallic highlights on the back and tuck box.

[vasta41]

Live! Updated OP. Little pricey, due to shipping mostly..

[Adonael]

Also think it's a little pricey, if I didn't get the early bird I would probably have had to pass, but dammit I love those courts they all look so cosy lol.

[rousselle]

I didn't get the early bird; I passed. I like what I see, for the most part, although I have the same reservations regarding the backs as others have mentioned. But, yeah, a bit pricey.

[sms69x]

Well, comming from Joker and the THIEF one should already expect these to be expensive, but not $17 expensive...
Some designers build their reputation on great designs, innovative features, industry firsts,... others think that by just overprice and over-hype their decks they will get backers' money, well, it may work for some, but for me, definitely not...
For $12 this deck would definitely look good and interesting enough, but for $17, easy, easy pass...

[masagin303]

It's actually $23/deck shipped for me so easy pass as well.

[RWPPFFShuffle]

I didn't get the early bird; I passed. I like what I see, for the most part, although I have the same reservations regarding the backs as others have mentioned. But, yeah, a bit pricey.

^Pretty much this. The EB-tiers made them seem affordable, but the non-EB tiers are about 30% more expensive across the board. I can't think of a reason to back on a non-EB tier when I see pretty much every other JatT deck being sold on Amazon for <$15 shipped.

[Joker and the Thief]

Hi guys,

Not sure exactly where you are getting numbers like $17 a deck from. A single deck goes for $15usd, a pair for $14.50 each, and 3 decks for $14 each. The Early Birds were $10 a deck, which for the quality we always provide, is a steal.

Each deck has a custom tuck box that has letterpress, embossing, foil inside and out, custom seal, metallic ink and crushed stock and a 100% custom design. For the price and the processes, Joker and the Thief decks are very reasonably priced, and we could easily charge $18+ a deck justifiably, compared to some other decks on the market...

Food for thought. Thank you to those here who have already supported.

Cheers,
James

[EvilDuncan]

Not sure exactly where you are getting numbers like $17 a deck from.

Kickstarter shows that AU$ 22 is equal to about $17 USD.

[Joker and the Thief]

Not sure exactly where you are getting numbers like $17 a deck from.

Kickstarter shows that AU$ 22 is equal to about $17 USD.

AH I see what's going on here. It must be Kickstarter's foreign exchange rates, which is never completely accurate. We always calculate using the Exchange Rates of the local Australian market, it's possible that the value of the dollar is fluctuating. When we did the conversion prior to the campaign launch, $15usd sat at around $22aud.

Right now it looks like other currency exchanges are putting $17usd at around $23.50aud.

Would be great if we could just select our preferred currency on Kickstarter haha. Would save this hassle and stop scaring backers away.

[sms69x]

Hi guys,

Not sure exactly where you are getting numbers like $17 a deck from. A single deck goes for $15usd, a pair for $14.50 each, and 3 decks for $14 each. The Early Birds were $10 a deck, which for the quality we always provide, is a steal.

Each deck has a custom tuck box that has letterpress, embossing, foil inside and out, custom seal, metallic ink and crushed stock and a 100% custom design. For the price and the processes, Joker and the Thief decks are very reasonably priced, and we could easily charge $18+ a deck justifiably, compared to some other decks on the market...

Food for thought. Thank you to those here who have already supported.

Cheers,
James

ahaha.. at least you makde me laugh.

Since your project is set up in AUD then you have to account for conversion fees and maybe other taxes, so yeah, $17, maybe you wanted to price your deck at $15, but you are not!

Of course, your decks could easily go for $50+ you can charge whatever you want, now if the buyer is willing to pay is a different story.
And the features you pointed out to try to justify your overpriced deck are not enough, others can do all of those features plus some cold foil for less than the price you ask, maybe you should take a look around (and mean, do not look on eBay, there even a Bicycle Rider Back is overpriced) and see what really a $17 (or $15) deck should look like...

[Harvonsgard]

S17 House of the Rising Spades FARO was at US$17 also. At least to my knowledge nobody complained there. I find the deck reasonable priced compared to other decks but it sure ain't a good/cheap price. That's why I wouldn't go that far to say this deck is very reasonable priced. J&T Dystopia was AUS $18 which features exactly the same features so, there is that.

[rousselle]

S17 House of the Rising Spades FARO was at US$17 also. At least to my knowledge nobody complained there. I find the deck reasonable priced compared to other decks but it sure ain't a good/cheap price.** That's why I wouldn't go that far to say this deck is very reasonable priced. J&T Dystopia was AUS $18 which features exactly the same features so, there is that.

«На вкус и цвет, товарищей нет.»*

Don't get me wrong, the Wayfarers are *fine* decks. They are very similar to other J&T decks, which I have liked enough to add to my collection (when I was able to pick them up at Early Bird pricing, I might add.) This deck is different enough from other J&T entries to be easily distinguishable from the others, while at the same time, similar enough to be recognizably theirs. The courts have a certain aesthetic that is really quite pleasing (while, I confess, the backs are less so.)

I am in no way disparaging these fine offerings when I say that, while I agree the Early Bird price is really quite tasty, the standard pricing for those who missed out is, well, just a bit more than I'm interested in paying for this particular effort. I *like* the design. This is a *good* deck, and I would not be ashamed to have it in my collection.

But, for me -- and, I realize we all have our different tastes, which is why our hobby is so rich and varied -- the House of the Rising Sun decks, including the Faro flavor, is freaking *exquisite.* Simply off the hook. The illustrations are next level. The color design, the balance, the subtle evocations of mood conveyed by facial expressions and body postures... just effing brilliant. Didn't HotRS win Deck of the Year?

I am *not* arguing that the Wayfarers should be cheaper. All I am saying is that they don't quite clear that price bar *for me.* Other people clearly find the price reasonable, and so they are happy to back at this price. Or, perhaps, they are unhappy, but still find the art compelling enough that they pay, anyway. Either way, good on J&T! I'm glad this project is proving to be successful!

I also wouldn't be surprised if somebody did complain about the pricing of HotRS. But, if they did, they are a fool. And, that is an objective fact.

---

* This phrase is my favorite Russian idiom. It rhymes, like many Russian idioms, and it translates literally to "In taste and color, there are no comrades." The best English colloquial translation would be, "to each their own."

** I completely agree with Harvonsgard's sentiment here. I simply found the comparison with HotRS to be an interesting springboard for discussion.