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Maddest Hammer wrote:

Mike Ratledge wrote:Man, those Pagan decks are sweet! I can't wait until I get home tomorrow and that box is waiting for me to get into...

So to speak

Well, you know what I mean: I'm like a little kid sometimes - heck - often. I really enjoy the hobby, and so does Donna, so we'll be looking over the grouping the minute I walk in the door, I'm certain.

Now - the items that I'm expecting to have to wait on are the truly sweetest ones of the lot: a pair of Dark Pagan LE and Light Pagan 24k gold gilt edged decks and that sweet swivel dual case redwood box Peter hand makes and rubs in the finish to perfection. Those are so sweet it's causing me to lose sleep.

I didn't know they were gilding both decks until I went to the website the other day. I'll be satisfied with the one I got, though. And sadly, will probably never open it. And as I finally found an original Blue Blood, I will have an entire set. Minus the 23 variations of Bohemia that you seem to have

It really will be a sad day when their final deck runs its course. Hopefully, they will go out with a bang.

chach wrote:Picked up a 5-deck lot off eBay. The two standouts are a Congress Bridge deck, the slipcase is in excellent condition, the cards are in fair condition though and have a nice floral garden landscape design on the back.

The other is a pinochle deck with a riderback design. From the tax stamp remnants and the AoS code I believe it was printed in 1919. Tuck is in bad condition but cards are nice and still playable.

Has anyone ever told you what exactly that Congress deck you have is? It's a very unusual "Salesman's Sample" deck, that's why the AoS is stamped, so it couldn't be resold "back then".

Maddest Hammer wrote:I didn't know they were gilding both decks until I went to the website the other day. I'll be satisfied with the one I got, though. And sadly, will probably never open it. And as I finally found an original Blue Blood, I will have an entire set. Minus the 23 variations of Bohemia that you seem to have

It really will be a sad day when their final deck runs its course. Hopefully, they will go out with a bang.

Well, you do realize (and it was well advertised and not possible to do otherwise) those decks are already opened, right? There's no way to put the hand-applied gold edges on unless you do (open it).

yeah, I knew that part. I thought that they would put new cellophane on them or a new seal or some such.

Maddest Hammer wrote: yeah, I knew that part. I thought that they would put new cellophane on them or a new seal or some such.

Anything is possible, I haven't asked that specific question, but as soon as I get home IF I have the answer - you'll know it here first! Likely answer is that they are just put back into the tuck - or not?

Hand gilding the edges of a deck is another one of the artisan type old world craftsman things. It takes time, and it's not a simple process at all, and what you have in the end is gorgeous but likely will not be the kind of deck you'll be wanting to perform magic with in any case. I'm thinking my redwood swivel case will open up to show a light and a dark gilded deck on either end. We'll see! I suppose it's possible that it's all in the boxes, but - it's sitting at home waiting on me now, and I won't know for certain until I get my hands on it and carefully untie the bow and open up the (separate) box that has the uncut sheets, etc.

Mike Ratledge wrote:

chach wrote:Picked up a 5-deck lot off eBay. The two standouts are a Congress Bridge deck, the slipcase is in excellent condition, the cards are in fair condition though and have a nice floral garden landscape design on the back.

The other is a pinochle deck with a riderback design. From the tax stamp remnants and the AoS code I believe it was printed in 1919. Tuck is in bad condition but cards are nice and still playable.

Has anyone ever told you what exactly that Congress deck you have is? It's a very unusual "Salesman's Sample" deck, that's why the AoS is stamped, so it couldn't be resold "back then".

That's good to know, I figured it was something like that but wasn't 100%. I hid it in the photo, but the corner is also clipped, so you can't really use the deck at all w/o being able to quite obviously spot the AoS. Probably why it is in such a fair condition.

I feel like the odd man out though, haven't received my Pagan shipping notice yet.

Maddest Hammer wrote:It really will be a sad day when their final deck runs its course. Hopefully, they will go out with a bang.

Wouldn't that be something if their sixth deck was named "A Bang", or just "Bang"?

Of course, after the "racy" nature of Hotcakes, naming their next deck "A Bang" might be a tad...misleading.

ETA:

And, speaking of Uusi...

When I was first corresponding with Linnea, I asked her where they came up with the name "Uusi" for their design studio, and she told me that "Uusi" is Finnish for "New".

So it made sense the other day when I found this religious-looking book listed on eBay:

CLICK TO VIEW LISTING

...I'm thinking that "Vanha" must be Finnish for "Old". (I wonder if Linnea and Peter will rename their design studio "Vanha" in a few years...)
'
And hey, look! Iron Maiden has a new "seedee"!!:

CLICK TO VIEW LISTING

And, while on the subject of "Uusi" trivia...

I asked Linnea how "Uusi" is pronounced. Is there, perhaps, an emphasis on the second "u" ("oooOOOsee", or, perhaps, a glottal stop between the two u's (a 'glottal stop' is a break in the air flow during speech using the waaay back part of your tongue, like between the "uh" and the "oh" in "uh-oh"), as in ("ooo-ooosee")?

She replied that it is simply pronounced "oosee" (Like "Lucy" without the "L", I suppose), which would have been the last pronunciation I would have guessed!

So, let's all get Lucy Goosey with Uusi! (Hey, how about THAT for your studio's motto/slogan, Linnea & Peter? )

RSLancastr wrote:

Maddest Hammer wrote:It really will be a sad day when their final deck runs its course. Hopefully, they will go out with a bang.

Wouldn't that be something if their sixth deck was named "A Bang", or just "Bang"?

Of course, after the "racy" nature of Hotcakes, naming their next deck "A Bang" might be a tad...misleading.

OMG Robert, I'm dying over here. THAT was funny

Actually, I sent Linnea some pictures of some miniature sarcophagi I saw at the Louvre last year about the time they were revealing the Blue Blood Redux box that were pretty cool. If Peter could emulate those, that would seriously be something special

Maddest Hammer wrote:

OMG Robert, I'm dying over here. THAT was funny

Careful, you might pull something!

Actually, I sent Linnea some pictures of some miniature sarcophagi I saw at the Louvre last year about the time they were revealing the Blue Blood Redux box that were pretty cool. If Peter could emulate those, that would seriously be something special

You mean one of his lovely wooden boxes, shaped as a sarcophagus? Now THAT would be seriously cool.

RSLancastr wrote:

Maddest Hammer wrote:

OMG Robert, I'm dying over here. THAT was funny

Careful, you might pull something!

Actually, I sent Linnea some pictures of some miniature sarcophagi I saw at the Louvre last year about the time they were revealing the Blue Blood Redux box that were pretty cool. If Peter could emulate those, that would seriously be something special

You mean one of his lovely wooden boxes, shaped as a sarcophagus? Now THAT would be seriously cool.

Here they are. Just about the size of a shoe box (length).

Picked up an interesting mix of cards this past week. The Rouen reprint is pretty basic, but a fun one to have. I'm very glad I decided to get an original Spotter Cards deck instead of a reprint though. Just had to add at least one German deck (personal heritage). LOVE the Virt deck though for handling, should have got 2. Still hoping somebody lets me know what the stock/finish is and what is closest so I can get some cheaper ones that behave similar, but don't have to be as slick looking.

As far as I've been able to ascertain, Virts are made by USPCC, on Bee stock. Volantangel may have more info on it/them

Maddest Hammer wrote:As far as I've been able to ascertain, Virts are made by USPCC, on Bee stock. Volantangel may have more info on it/them

They are USPCC, but I thought they were Aristocrat.

OK, the small shipment of Uusi Pagan decks was only a split brick, with gilded decks, art books, Redwood case and uncuts either shipping separately or scheduled to come later. Donna has ordered some things, I ordered some stuff with the UC account as well, and the way they arrange the pledge tiers if you want to get "all the toya" you have to make multiple orders / pledges. Right now only 1 of 3 parts is shopped, and lots and things other than decks are coming lager. Here's two pix of the split brick:

A really cute caricature and hand written note from Linnea, too. Even though I have had it since early January, Pagan 2014 calendar #2 with the suicide king (April) that was recently replaced by the QoH (May). This is one of my favorite goodies they made, which for $30 gives you 15 archival quality 5×7" framable prints one month at a time.

Today was a busy day for the PO, and all together we had 3 full postal trays filled with goodies, so I'm going to hog the topic a lot!

Some vintage Waddington "War Decks", from WWII when they show that they are limited by the resources available during the war and expect quality to differ from normal, and state that on the tucks. Quite unusual, and of course only made for a few years.

All of the MPC #01 decks and uncuts were on hold mostly because the uncut sheets won't fit in the mailbox. A 4-way split brick, one set of all 4 extra and two of each of the uncuts (not shown.

Also my variant of the Garuda Indonesian Airlines bridge deck, which is clearly not the same as the one Robert has shown.

The ever elusive Battlestar Galactica clear deck in mint condition as well. I finally chased one down for under $100...

A grouping of vintage and antique decks including several souvenir decks from the 1895-1915 time-frame. 6 decks, 5 of which are souvenirs, Amongst the White Mountains, Southern Pacific RR, Montreal & Quebec from the Canadian PCC the #52 "Fishermen" deck, an Famous Paintings #1117 deck, not true poker deck even though 52 cards - by the Cincinnati Game Company and a 60's Playboy deck in mint sealed condition with their typical unique Joker, and a Big Bell California souvenir deck. Also a pair of New York 1964/65 world's fair decks in mint condition. There's a Bulldog Squeezes vintage deck back in one pix.

Finally today, we have a few odds and ends, like Nick Iwata Steampunk Pirate decks and Elves & Orcs, a bakers dozen of Aristocrat American Bank Note #727 decks,and an early 20th century Mexican bullfighting deck, with 54 different faces.

I was eyeballing that bulldog squeezers deck on eBay, came close to bidding on it a few times but decided to let it pass because of the box condition. It is one of my favorite backs however.

Christ almighty Mike, that is MEGA haul! Haha

Mike Ratledge wrote:Some vintage Waddington "War Decka", from WWII when they show that they are limited by the resources available during the war and expect quality to differ from normal, and state that on the tucks. Quite unusual, and of course only made for a few years.

Those Waddington war decks have Unique courts that was only used on these decks from 1940-1945. The courts frame line is broken up at the corners by the 4 indices,also the courts are slightly wider than usual waddingtons
Very Nice on the look out for some of those myself

Eoghann wrote:Christ almighty Mike, that is MEGA haul! Haha

True, Donna has taken a personal interest at keeping my watch list up to date now, so I am still waiting on several more goodies she found and I pounced on.

Here's another clue in vow we both continue to find things first: sort Buy it Now! items by "Newly listed" and sort auction style listings by end time - and always look at them separately. I'll give more clues as we go along.

Jock1971 wrote:

Mike Ratledge wrote:Some vintage Waddington "War Decka", from WWII when they show that they are limited by the resources available during the war and expect quality to differ from normal, and state that on the tucks. Quite unusual, and of course only made for a few years.

Those Waddington war decks have Unique courts that was only used on these decks from 1940-1945. The courts frame line is broken up at the corners by the 4 indices,also the courts are slightly wider than usual waddingtons
Very Nice on the look out for some of those myself

Cool, Jace! I'll go spelunking around and take pix, of course. I've got a tight dance card tongue, but I will get a round tuit...

Mike Ratledge wrote:

Mike Ratledge wrote:Also my variant of the Garuda Indonesian Airlines bridge deck, which is clearly not the same as the one Robert has shown.

But yours still has a Suicide Jack of Clubs! An Indonesian tradition?

Nice haul, Mike! Can't wait for my Steampunk Pirates decks! Those tucks look awesome.

When would you plan to crack open those MPC to let us know their quality, Mike? I'd love to know!

RSLancastr wrote:

Mike Ratledge wrote:

Mike Ratledge wrote:Also my variant of the Garuda Indonesian Airlines bridge deck, which is clearly not the same as the one Robert has shown.

But yours still has a Suicide Jack of Clubs! An Indonesian tradition?

I suppose. I don't know what they were thinking - unless it's local custom?

Sher143 wrote:Nice haul, Mike! Can't wait for my Steampunk Pirates decks! Those tucks look awesome.

They are very nice, actually! I was surprised just how well they came out.

Well it's summer and the weather is favorable! So y'all know what that means: flea market season!

Found these two babies where the guy was practically giving them away.

Gypsy Witch fortune telling cards. No idea what year but they've sure seen a lot of action.

AARCO Space-O! Card game. Circa 1960s. I just love the retro space age look. Picked up a pair of space cadets while I was there that fit the theme just fine.

Nice! I'm really partial to that retro look of the Space Age cards. I'd love to have those. Guess, I'll be searching for a deck now!

Finally, I have a couple of things to post here that might be unique enough to be of interest. First is a deck that others here may have or be aware of but, I hadn't seen before. My husband went to San Francisco on business and brought back a deck from Alcatraz which has the Rules of Behavior printed on each card. He also got a similar one for the Golden Gate bridge which has interesting facts on each card but, here's the Alcatraz deck. They're actually surprisingly nice quality on both the cards and the tuck but, I don't know who printed them. It also makes me wonder if every National Park has a deck.

Next is a promotional deck from Kraken Rum. A friend of mine in another state recently found them attached to the large bottle in their liquor store. I searched my area and couldn't find any so, I ordered some from their website. Shipping is expensive for a single deck but, I ordered several to split with some other friends. I don't know the printer. The tuck is a tad oversized, they have a smooth finish and are a little stiff but they shuffle all right. One weird thing, they seem to leave a residue after handling. I haven't run across that before. The Courts repeat but, every other card has a different tentacle pattern. Pardon the fan, I haven't attempted one since I was a kid *cough*cough* years ago. LOL!