[ CBJ ] - UC Featured Collector for May/June 2014

[CBJ]

I remember a while back you said something along the lines of: "you'd be shocked to hear about the decks I've let slide because they weren't Bicycle" (paraphrasing).

I'm curious about the driving force behind the staunch preference towards the brand. I know you don't have ONLY Bicycles, but it would seem the percentage is well above 90%. What is it about the brand that drives you to collect it?

Thanks!

I'm really not sure what drives me to do it. It kinda snowballed, and I guess the best way to describe it would be .. I'm a Bicycle collector first, and a card collector second.
It would be the same way a lighter collector might heavily collect Zippos, and have some other lighters as well.

Before the market went all bat-sh*t-crazy with decks, it was very easy to keep up. It was easy to keep current, and even decks that went up and price back then.. would still only be around 15 bucks. Fast Forward to now... and most times decks are at least 9.99, and it seems like there's a new deck everyday - - sigh.

I've actually considered selling off all my non-bicycle decks to fund the new Bicycle purchases for a while.


But even if you took the "Bicycle" addiction out of the equation... what pushes any of us to collect all these decks. hundreds and hundreds of them.
I think we're all nuts, and should start a support group.




Jay

[CBJ]

Also.... I was curious about the percentage.

I have 717 different decks

505 Bicycle
212 non Bicycle

so.. about 71% of my collection is Bicycle.

Is that really so different than most people? I just think it looks like a much larger percentage because of how many decks I own.


I would guess that the average collector has around a 70% Bicycle average in their collection. (for every 10 decks - 7 are Bicycle branded, 3 are not)


What do you guys think?

[dazzleguts]

Well I've always known I wasn't average

Kidding aside though my collection is only about 20% Bicycle/USPCC while 80% is vintage, international, or just some other card maker than USPCC. There is one drawer in the 18 drawers of my collection that holds only Bicycle decks, and probably the majority of the decks in my magic/cardistry drawer are Bicycle, or at least USPCC. A third drawer holds duplicates from those 2, with more of the same in a box as well.

This will probably be similar for any card collector whose range is outside of the demands of cardistry/magic, or has a pref for older decks, or is from a location outside of North America. Of course KS has created a whole new pool of collectors and so many of the decks there are Bicycle so it does seem predominant.

[Mike Ratledge]

I'm in a similar boat as dazz, in that most everything I purchased before about a year ago was vintage/antique decks, and I'm thinking that even with the recent influx of some of my KS project rewards I'm still more than 50% "old stuff". Of course, there is likely 25% or more of those that are Bicycle branded decks, but - that leaves quite a lot of them that are Piatnik, B P Grimaud, Bierman, Waddington, de la Rue, Alf Cooke, NYCC, A Dougherty, Perfection, Longley, National, etc. I just added a Theodore deLand deck quite by accident: it's the one I showed in the "Look What I Added..." thread that came in a Steamboat #220 box - likely on purpose since magicians back in the 20's and 30's just did things like that: stick a trick deck in a very common tuck.

[volantangel]

I havent really counted my decks, but i think my bikes sit at about 30%, theres a reason why you are Certified Bicycle Junkie (CBJ)

[dazzleguts]

@Mike
Don't you love that op-art patterning in the hair of the Deland courts? The joker is great too. Personally I think it's actually a more interesting deck than the steamboat.

Back on topic, it's important to have some kind of delineation for a collection or it just kind of sprawls and costs the moon. CB I imagine your Bicycle preference provides a limitation like my preference for custom artful cards does for me and Mike's preference for interesting old poker sized 52 card decks does for him (did I get that right Mike?) Not that it seems all that limiting on Mike since he's a very frequent contributer to the "Look what I just...' thread.

Jay what do you think of the Bicycle logo that appears on the box of the Calaveras deck? I though it was one of the handsomest integrations of their brand name into a tuck design. You have an overview of, and own, so many examples - do you think they're allowing more flexibility there than they used to?

[Mike Ratledge]

While I prefer the Poker sized decks I have Plenty of Bridge decks too. I tend not to go for the 36 cars euro decks, though I am sure that I have a few. I have a few tarot decks as well - but only a handful.

I agree that Chris' integration of the Bicycle logo on Caleveras is one of the best examples of doing it right without being rigid.

[CBJ]

@Mike

Back on topic, it's important to have some kind of delineation for a collection or it just kind of sprawls and costs the moon. CB I imagine your Bicycle preference provides a limitation like my preference for custom artful cards does for me and Mike's preference for interesting old poker sized 52 card decks does for him (did I get that right Mike?) Not that it seems all that limiting on Mike since he's a very frequent contributer to the "Look what I just...' thread.

Jay what do you think of the Bicycle logo that appears on the box of the Calaveras deck? I though it was one of the handsomest integrations of their brand name into a tuck design. You have an overview of, and own, so many examples - do you think they're allowing more flexibility there than they used to?

Exactly! When the wave of custom decks really started just a few years ago, I was buying everything. It just became too much. I had to make a decision about the direction I wanted to take the collection. That being said, I still do buy unbanded decks... a few of my favorites are the Whispering Imps, and EMpire.


Chris did an amazing job on the Calaveras, and the best executed use of that style of logo yet.
I think it's really up to the designer which of the 4 logos they want to use (I'm not 100% sure on that), I personally like the traditional one that gets used on almost every deck.







I did stumble across this one day, and I think it would make for a cool looking series of tucks...






Anyway... back to the collection.........



.

[CBJ]

Here are a few more decks from box #1



Bicycle Clot Clothing deck











This was a promotional item that was given away from Clot Clothing. They released 100 or so for sale on the site at the same time for $20 per deck.



Bicycle Android/Intel














I really don't have a lot of info on this deck at all. I'm assuming some kind of promotional deck that was handed out at one point.
I won this on Ebay sometime last year.



Bicycle Heritage - A Walmart Canada exclusive. Not too fancy, but it's nice to see Canada get some exclusive decks












Jay

[nECr0MaNCeD]

CBJ;
Thanks for sharing more of your collection. I too have a preference for Bicycle. There are two reasons for this. When I first started collecting it was out of ignorance and thinking the branded decks were more desirable to collect. Also, my grandfather taught me to play poker when I was four and I could play most any card game by the age of 7. He used, you guessed it, Blue rider backs. The Bicycle logo holds fond memories for me. (Which makes me wonder why it took me so long to start collecting). Thanks again for sharing.

[CBJ]

Here are more decks I get asked about a lot...


The decks from the "Games" sets










These are a bit odd. USPC only had tucks for these 2 deck sets for one year. 1995
On the back of the boxes at the bottom, it has the year printed. If it doesn't say 1995, the cards will be wrapped in cello with no tucks.
Here is what the packaging boxes look like...












And here are all the decks...





There are 5 sets in total, with 2 decks in each set. The Canasta and the Pinochle have the exact same deck twice, the other 3 sets have a red backed deck and a black backed deck.

Remember.. if it doesn't say 1995 on it, you will not get these tucks


Jay

[vasta41]

Just wanted to chime in here and say amazing collection, Jay! Like you, most of my decks are "new" so I can personally appreciate your collection. Look forward to seeing more pics!

Love the display cases, too

[CBJ]

Just wanted to chime in here and say amazing collection, Jay! Like you, most of my decks are "new" so I can personally appreciate your collection. Look forward to seeing more pics!

Love the display cases, too

I knew you'd like the display cases, haha

[vasta41]

Just wanted to chime in here and say amazing collection, Jay! Like you, most of my decks are "new" so I can personally appreciate your collection. Look forward to seeing more pics!

Love the display cases, too

I knew you'd like the display cases, haha

My lazy-ass Dad hasn't yet drafted up a blueprint for me out of my scribbles from a few years ago.. but once he does, I'll be in search of a good cabinet maker to mass produce them and hopefully start a KS campaign.

But your collection looks way better in yours than mine! I have a few modern-day rarities but not as many as you do... I know you don't open many (if any) of your decks but is there one you've opened in the past that you now regret opening?

[MagikFingerz]

I know you don't open many (if any) of your decks but is there one you've opened in the past that you now regret opening?

Or one that you really want to but can't get yourself to open?

[vasta41]

I know you don't open many (if any) of your decks but is there one you've opened in the past that you now regret opening?

Or one that you really want to but can't get yourself to open?

Ooo! Even better question! Not to hijack Jay's thread but mine would be the Gold Arcane. I bet those would look AMAZING in person but I just can't bring myself to break the seal

[SBurk49]

All... that.... cellophane... makes me.... itchy... I want to find out where you live and open them all. ALL OF THEM!!!

On a more serious note, I am so envious of your collection. I'm a pretty hardcore Bike fan myself.

Some of those I have never seen before and my eyes lit up when I saw them. Apollo series? Never heard of it, looks sexy.

[Kdklown]

Jay, do you have any guess/knowledge as to how many Grand Opening decks are out there?

[CBJ]

I know you don't open many (if any) of your decks but is there one you've opened in the past that you now regret opening?

The first 70-80 decks I bought I opened. I do regret it now, because I sometimes get the urge to replace those ones because the rest of my collection is sealed.
I don't really have one deck that I regret opening more than another.

And if you're curious, the first deck I didn't open was the White Centurion.

Or one that you really want to but can't get yourself to open?

Hmmmm, if I didn't have the uncut sheet, I would have said the gold arcane. I guess I'd have to say all of the Federal 52 series because of how customized it is. I've only opened the Bicycle Federal 52.

Jay, do you have any guess/knowledge as to how many Grand Opening decks are out there?

I have no idea. I would say a very low run (less than 1000)... but I'd just be speculating.



Feel free to ask more questions!




,

[CBJ]

Here we go... Box #2


































































































CBJ




.

[Mike Ratledge]

Damn... You go, Jay! Sweet stuff, always something I've never seen.

[Eoghann]

Damn. That's a lot in that box I had never seen before.

[CBJ]

Damn. That's a lot in that box I had never seen before.

and still another 13 boxes to go!!!




New playing card storage???

Also, I thought I'd share this. A friend was getting rid of this chest, so I decided to grab it to use as a coffee table in the man-cave. A friend is going to strip it, do some minor repairs, and re-stain it darker.

I think it will hold a TON of cards in the main section, and extra card-related storage in the drawer.



















I'll post some photos when it's finished!


Jay

[nECr0MaNCeD]

Damn. That's a lot in that box I had never seen before.

and still another 13 boxes to go!!!


New playing card storage???

Also, I thought I'd share this. A friend was getting rid of this chest, so I decided to grab it to use as a coffee table in the man-cave. A friend is going to strip it, do some minor repairs, and re-stain it darker.

I think it will hold a TON of cards in the main section, and extra card-related storage in the drawer.


I'll post some photos when it's finished!

Jay

Very nice. Looks like I will have to hit some thrift stores.

When I saw the pic of the 1st edition Black Ghosts (before I saw the back) I said to myself "please tell me he didn't open these". Whew!

A question if you don't mind. I saw your Dragon Backs. I just need the Gold myself. I saw Green and Yellow Dragon backs somewhere. Never saw them before. Do you know if they are legit?

[CBJ]

I saw Green and Yellow Dragon backs somewhere. Never saw them before. Do you know if they are legit?

I don't mind at all!
100% legit. They are being produced by Gambler's Warehouse, and are available for pre-order now.


Jay


and I have 3-4 additional Black Ghost 1st editions if anyone is interested



.

[nECr0MaNCeD]

I saw Green and Yellow Dragon backs somewhere. Never saw them before. Do you know if they are legit?

I don't mind at all!
100% legit. They are being produced by Gambler's Warehouse, and are available for pre-order now.


Jay


and I have 3-4 additional Black Ghost 1st editions if anyone is interested



.

Thanks for the reply and taking the time to share your collection. Could you PM me about those 1st editions?

[SBurk49]

Jay...

Stop please...

I cant take it anymore... they're too beautiful!

What are those ones with the Coffins on the backs?

[volantangel]

Jay...

Stop please...

I cant take it anymore... they're too beautiful!

What are those ones with the Coffins on the backs?

Its called bicycle coffin fodder, you should find a thread for it if you use the search function

[dazzleguts]

All... that.... cellophane... makes me.... itchy... I want to find out where you live and open them all. ALL OF THEM!!!

...

I love that! I get the same itch to open all those decks SBurk.

Just imagine opening all those cards at once. Our dream and CBJ's nightmare.

Seriously though Jay, I love that treasure chest. Have you considered having some kind of image burned into, or varnished onto, the lid of it? And you have got to have a secret compartment in there somewhere!

[Afrank8]

Are there any bicycle decks that you thought were too terrible a concept to get or looked horrendous enough for you not to buy it?