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The saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" does not apply to card collecting.

And the after market can be a heartbreaker

All decks were sent on Wednesday April 4th. As only a few orders were from Europe, I guess that it may take a couple of days more for the decks to reach USA.

*runs down the middle of the road; naked and screaming, jazz hands prominent*

Europe is generally a full 2 weeks by post, but I'd say 3 weeks on the safe side.

Lotrek wrote:All decks were sent on Wednesday April 4th. As only a few orders were from Europe, I guess that it may take a couple of days more for the decks to reach USA.

This is referring just to the error decks, right?

Merlebird wrote:

Lotrek wrote:All decks were sent on Wednesday April 4th. As only a few orders were from Europe, I guess that it may take a couple of days more for the decks to reach USA.

This is referring just to the error decks, right?

Yes, that is correct

Well, I can say the error decks are landing in the US. I was quite surprised to find my package in the mail today. I don't think there are words to describe this deck. I guess I can safely say that in my opinion this is your best work. Not only that, these really are playable cards. My heart now swells.

Got mine in. First decks I’ve bought in a while. Somehow got 1 and 2. Didn’t expect they’d be numbered.

SpecialK wrote:Got mine in. First decks I’ve bought in a while. Somehow got 1 and 2.

You simply were the first to order these.

Woo quick! They are stunning. Glad to get these error decks

Decks are awesome, I feel like one thing that would make it better though would be some type of seal to indicate that its a new deck, also I love the anticipation when breaking open a new deck!

Anyone with an error deck willing to post some pics?

KT52 wrote:Decks are awesome, I feel like one thing that would make it better though would be some type of seal to indicate that its a new deck, also I love the anticipation when breaking open a new deck!

Lotrek ditched seals and "sealed" packaging a long time ago because people were hesitant to even open the plastic bag to store decks in cases, etc. Personally I think it was a good decision.

I bought 2 Venexiana Gold decks from the same seller a couple years back, and I sent her a message to confirm if one of the decks was handled, which she kindly obliged. It's a buyer's market with all of the protection they/we receive, and I think in the nature of collecting Lotrek's decks, sellers can be trusted on their word if/when selling one of his signature decks.

TwoPieceFeed wrote:

KT52 wrote:Decks are awesome, I feel like one thing that would make it better though would be some type of seal to indicate that its a new deck, also I love the anticipation when breaking open a new deck!

Lotrek ditched seals and "sealed" packaging a long time ago because people were hesitant to even open the plastic bag to store decks in cases, etc.

Oh thank god. I normally open all my decks, but after I'd plunked down the hundred bucks for the bells-and-whistles version and Lotrek followed up by saying there was gonna be a player's edition, the mercenary in me was telling me I should keep this one in plastic and wait for the (somewhat) cheaper version to open and look at, as a purely financial decision.

Relieved to know I won't be instantly devaluing my purchase just by caressing it with my filthy eyeballs.

Yeah, this is a feast of the eyeballs for sure. A players edition without two foils, just will not be the same. Great, I am sure, but not the same.

The more I feast on this deck, the more awesome it gets for me. There is so much detail to absorb.

Merlebird wrote:

TwoPieceFeed wrote:

KT52 wrote:Decks are awesome, I feel like one thing that would make it better though would be some type of seal to indicate that its a new deck, also I love the anticipation when breaking open a new deck!

Lotrek ditched seals and "sealed" packaging a long time ago because people were hesitant to even open the plastic bag to store decks in cases, etc.

Oh thank god. I normally open all my decks, but after I'd plunked down the hundred bucks for the bells-and-whistles version and Lotrek followed up by saying there was gonna be a player's edition, the mercenary in me was telling me I should keep this one in plastic and wait for the (somewhat) cheaper version to open and look at, as a purely financial decision.

Relieved to know I won't be instantly devaluing my purchase just by caressing it with my filthy eyeballs.

Exactly. I still have 1 of my Icons Signature and Liturgy Treasure decks in their plastic bags because they were sealed. At some point they'll be opened and transferred into Carat Card Cases, but opening the plastic bags shouldn't be considered "breaking the seal".

IMO it would be cool if Lotrek had adopted Steve Minty's idea of delivering a seal with his signature decks for his customers to apply, but considering that he hasn't done that for 7 "Signature Series" already, it would now be out-of-place. It's also probably tough to apply a seal to leather tuck cases...

Just got mine, and I got 006/100 (or if you're holding the deck differently, 001/900)

I have only one word and it's "stunning". Truly a work of art.

To my mind, this is unquestionably the new high-water mark for decks.

portcullis wrote:Anyone with an error deck willing to post some pics?

My crappy iPhone pics don't do it justice.

Expect a review from me as soon as these come in.

TheGentlemanWake wrote:Expect a review from me as soon as these come in.

Looking forward to your review, you do a good job.

Bradius wrote:Not only that, these really are playable cards.

I have to second that!

These cards are ABSOLUTELY stunning. The tuck box isn't over sized like the Inferno's and it fits nicely in the Carat cases.

The cards speak for themselves. Truthfully!

The amount of foil front and back is insane. The card stock is very smooth and greatly workable not only if you plan on using them for poker nights but as a magician's deck also. They have that kinda feel/greatness behind them.

And what I mean by that is, it's not often I can pickup one of Lotrek's foiled out decks and do a smooth fan, faro shuffle or sring/dripple nicely. They usually clump up before I even start. But with this deck, YOU CAN do all your favorite slieghts/shuffles!

Lotrek, I think I can passively say you've hit the nail on the coffin when it comes to the card stock moving forward. Once more people have their decks in their hands, they'll know exactly what I'm talking about. It's not to flimsy like other brands (EPCC) and not overly stiff that you can't put a small pack bend on them.

Thanks again for your amazing work Lotrek.

Now I eagerly wait for the "non-error/proper version without mistakes" deck.

KW

I decided to get out one of my Icons Imperial Demo decks to compare with the Arabesque Deck as both are on white stock.

They are both about the same thickness. However, the handling is completely different. The Icons deck just doesn't handle near as well. The handling has really come far. I am sure the cardists though will point out that it doesn't handle like a USPCC premier deck, but that is not the point. While the Icons Imperial is has a double foil back, the Arabesque Deck uses two foils on the front and back, and handles well. It just does a great job of using the foil with the regular inks too. Below is a comparison of the fronts and the King of Hearts. Sorry for the bad photo quality.

I received mine. Number 3/100 [emoji3] beautiful deck. The cards really do handle much better than the other decks I have from lotrek (Sanctus, ambassadors, liturgy). Although my tuck box looked a little rugged/sloppy. The foil and embossing is nice but the box feels a bit flimsy


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I think the tuck is thinner than usual because Lotrek embossed and debossed the tuck in two foils. I don’t think it would stand out if he used a thicker stock.

However, Lotrek, could you not glue it to a thicker/another layer to make it a thicker stock before cutting,folding and assembly? I mean, you couldn’t press it hard together because that could mess the “outer” tuck stock. I am not sure if glued stock would fold well either. Just a thought.

Lotrek if you are reading this I sent you an email with a few questions. Please get back to me when you can! Thanks!

The tuck is on purpose a bit flimsy. I wanted it to have a striking difference from the "good" one which is very sturdy. This one is only debossed. The official is embossed, too. My first thought was to just have a plain white tuck but then I thought that it would be better if I had a very ordinary stock just to hold the cards inside but with the final artwork printed on it.

Just wait for the good ones. I'm printing this week. And the handling will be even better although still far from the "Maestro" finish on DeNovo.

The reprint finished last Thursday. Tomorrow going to the foiling stage.

Thanks for the update. Good luck on the foiling. I am sure that is exacting work.

FYI the error decks are now going for USD200 and up on eBay.

Merlebird wrote:FYI the error decks are now going for USD200 and up on eBay.

I wouldn't say they're going for $200. No one's purchased one for that price yet.