UnitedCardists.com - The forum for Cardistry, Magic, Custom Decks and All Things Playing Cards.

Bikefanatic wrote:They gave me a hat but I want that MailChimp deck!

I have one put away in the "UC2014 Deck of the Year" contest stash, along with a sequence of several truly unusual items, one-of-a-kind things and a few things that have never been shown period. This year's contest will work somewhat differently, and the first thing is that the prizes will be listed by retail value, but whoever gets first place can pick any prize, 2nd gets next, 3rd the third selection, etc. I realize this will leave no choice for the final winner, but that's life.

I think it works better, and we're still thinking, but - what does everyone think about that model instead of pre-assigning prizes as "1st", "2nd", etc?

Mike Ratledge wrote:

Bikefanatic wrote:They gave me a hat but I want that MailChimp deck!

I have one put away in the "UC2014 Deck of the Year" contest stash, along with a sequence of several truly unusual items, one-of-a-kind things and a few things that have never been shown period. This year's contest will work somewhat differently, and the first thing is that the prizes will be listed by retail value, but whoever gets first place can pick any prize, 2nd gets next, 3rd the third selection, etc. I realize this will leave no choice for the final winner, but that's life.

I think it works better, and we're still thinking, but - what does everyone think about that model instead of pre-assigning prizes as "1st", "2nd", etc?

I think that's an excellent idea! Some people might have some of the decks but get them anyways while a person below them might receive what they were after.

Mike Ratledge wrote: I think it works better, and we're still thinking, but - what does everyone think about that model instead of pre-assigning prizes as "1st", "2nd", etc?

Very much approved. I'd rather get the prize I want the most than whatever has the highest monetary value, and I would think most people feel the same way.

The last month has been good to me for thrift store finds. All the decks pictured here are ones I found in local thrift shops and added to my collection. The ones I'm not showing will be sold or traded.

The top 4 cases all hold plastic playing cards by various makers: Kem, Fournier, unknown modern, and Copag. The bottom right deck is a vintage magnetic deck of cards that came with a special board to play on in windy situations. The cards are no thicker than regular ones but are very heavy, and they shuffle fine. The board has magnetic strips in it while the cards have a very thin sheet of ferrous metal as the middle layer.

Here are the cards in their boxes/cases:
The remaining decks are all paper - a mix of modern and vintage. The one in the black plastic frame is made by Hasbro. The black case becomes a dealing shoe when reassembled and I show it that way in the second photo. They made a whole series of card playing sets using this same custom deck design. I also have their card holders set, and I know they make something called a "Shuffle Shaker".

Here are the cards out of their boxes and cases:
The Tarabish deck (see the green Celtic knotwork box and coal miner K of S) was made for a game that is currently only played in Cape Breton of the province Nova Scotia here in Canada. The game was brought to Cape Breton by Lebanese people who came to work in the coal and steel industries around 1900. They in turn had picked up the game from The Netherlands through trade routes. All of the kings in this pack are coal miners and every court card is different.

Here is a look at the great red leather case set the Waddingtons Excel decks came in. I just got these and haven't cleaned the case up yet. These were cool to find since the cards date from exactly that time when the abolition of duty on playing cards in England happened - 4th Aug. 1960. The special seal that runs up one side and over the top on these decks talks at length about the change in look of the card packaging. They seemed anxious to reassure their customers that the quality of the cards had not changed. The red deck is still sealed.
I was going to give the name and maker of every deck but I've babbled on enough. If anyone wants to know more just ask. I'm happy to answer any questions.

Hi Dazzelguts.
do you know much about that switzerland deck above the Excel decks. i got a single deck with a plain geometric pattern back but can`t find anything about AG Muller & cie anywhere. Nice find on the Excel decks i`ve some but not that tuck.

Got my Poe deck today not bad for $5 including shipping

rjtomlinson1977 wrote:

Mike Ratledge wrote:I also got a new toy from Jackson and KWF yesterday, but it was 105° hest index so I will have to get out some vinegar and clean all the fingerprints off my glorious new display:

Nice looking display... especially the lower right hand corner.

I thought you'd like that, Robert!

Pierre - interestingly enough, even though I live only 90 miles away, I haven't gotten my brick of E A Poe decks from Savannah yet. Where did they ship from? (if you remember, maybe?)

Mike the deck came from Savannah. Maybe because it was a single it was ship early not sure

Nice grab dazzle

montecarlojoe wrote:Mmm, I'll have to get me some acrylic at some point - that's just plain sexy Mike!

My new Haul:

The box is just a box lol - bargain for a quid.

The mini deck is a double little duke patience set - the box is knackered but the decks are mint and include both jokers and ad card.

The orange/teal deck , tin and spread cards are the Fossil deck (fossil watches)

The Grimaud Monte Carlo Loews deck is a bit upsidedown lol (oops!)

Finally trapped and bagged that Monte Carlo Lowes deck, eh? I bet that set you back a pretty penny - or thousands! The acrylic display is awesome, and I'd like to thank Jackson for making them available. I'm sure it wasn't cheap to get them done, and they are just perfect! I did get one extra lock for the four posts, but I suppose that was intentional just in case one wasn't perfect.

Now, DAZZ - we need to talk. Just what DIDN'T you show, if those are the ones you decided were worthy?

Amazing haul Dazz! I need to hang around thrift stores in your neighborhood. the ones here are bone dry.

Eoghann wrote:Amazing haul Dazz! I need to hang around thrift stores in your neighborhood. the ones here are bone dry.

Mine got nuttin... We need a better quality of ne'er do well.

Jock1971 wrote:Hi Dazzelguts.
do you know much about that switzerland deck above the Excel decks. i got a single deck with a plain geometric pattern back but can`t find anything about AG Muller & cie anywhere. Nice find on the Excel decks i`ve some but not that tuck.

I do know that Muller was absorbed by Carta Mundi in 1999 and became their branch in Switzerland. Carta Mundi is huge and has quite a list of past companies absorbed by them, all in different countries. I will look to see what else I have on AG Muller and get back to you.

You'll have to show me what the other tuck looks like, or perhaps I will look it up in the World Web Playing Card Museum. I was very lucky with that red leather case too.

Cbkimble wrote:Nice grab dazzle

Thanks Cbkimble!

Mike, what I didn't show will be visible in my ebay sales, if I don't trade them away first. I'm trying to consider them part of our income but the temptation is to just use them to get more cards.

Eoghann, my community has a rep of being a place full of newly weds and nearly deads. The night life and culture is rather lacking but the estate sale leavings that get left for thrift stores are amazing. So many people think of playing cards as an ephemeral item without value - and that's just where I want them.

Haha, location, location, location. Gotta find me a treasure trove like yours.

Here's some new ones I got for a bargain from Wildereachday here on the forum.


And here is what i traded for my White Monarch deck with FolsomCollector, also from the forum.

Here's what I got home to yesterday. after 4 weeks, I've gotten a few decks in.

The V2 decks are nice but the tucks seem to have a lot of wear on them.

here's the rest.

Showed up in the mailbox today

Last additions... Coming slowly...

Id love to have the 3 deck black book set. Just cant pay ebay prices right now.

Solid set right there sms69x! Very nice.

Just got these from sxjy0109 in a local sale. Great guy, he threw in the Blue Masters Thanks dude.

montecarlojoe wrote:
My new Haul:

...

The orange/teal deck , tin and spread cards are the Fossil deck (fossil watches)

Any idea where I can get these!?

Frequenter wrote:

montecarlojoe wrote:
My new Haul:

...

The orange/teal deck , tin and spread cards are the Fossil deck (fossil watches)

Any idea where I can get these!?

Wouldn't mind knowing as well, tried to look for them but no luck.

MagikFingerz wrote:

Frequenter wrote:

montecarlojoe wrote:
My new Haul:

...

The orange/teal deck , tin and spread cards are the Fossil deck (fossil watches)

Any idea where I can get these!?

Wouldn't mind knowing as well, tried to look for them but no luck.

I found them on ebay - just got lucky on a 99p listing. They ar pretty nice though - the tin has an ebossed design and the cards have a linen style texture and a finish that doesnt feel 'novelty' quality.
I cant see any indicator of printer beyond "made in china".

Onto today's deck;

Mike Ratledge wrote:

Maddest Hammer wrote:I know a couple folks have posted these before, but just got my Birch's Beer cards today. Pictures aren't great, but got a hand-written note, and illustration , along with the three decks I ordered, wrapped and sealed with wax. And the cards (Aces, anyway) are pretty hilarious.

LOL! He must create a special letter for each buyer, obviously: mine came with an "official" letterhead on stationary of the City of New York's "Art Commission" with a hand-written note, and at the very bottom hand-written it said (basically) "the city of New York and it's Art Commissioner has nothing to do with this". I'm paraphrasing - here's my letter:

i got my deck today - Daniel figured if he was sending to Ye Olde Englande he should do it right; my note was hand written in copperplate lettering (unfortunately I tore it in half when I opened the package), but, even better the deck came wrapped in brown paper sealed with wax.

He was a star thoughout - he noticed that he'd miscalculated international shipping on his site, and mailed me to let me know about the mistake but promised to send them out at no extra cost.
Top packaging. Top presentation. Top bloke!

The decks I acquired within the last week.
Majority of them are from Gambler's Warehouse, awesome service.
Sorry for poor quality.

Thanks Joe! Glad you got em' and liked em'! I upped the price for international shipping so I don't lose money. haha! Thanks for posting pics, it only helps me more. Appreciate it! I will be posting some pics of the new deck soon.

Say whaaaaaaaaaaat?!!! Wal-mart haul yall!



The v2 Club Tattoos in fact DO exist in walmart. $3.47 per.

The faces are the same as the v1 but a different back to match the tuck and the fans look REAL nice.

Careful SBurk, or your picture might end up on the "People Who Shop at Walmart" web site!

My advice: Avoid Spandex.

But my spandex looks so good with my Crocs!