Sherlock Holmes Decks by Jackson Robinson; Shipping complete

[Sher]

Hey, anyone want my early bird G1 tier? Hate to give this up, but I need to free up my budget for this week. Please PM me if interested and maybe we can arrange a time for you to grab it. Best time for me would probably be 2 am EST but I'm open to other times.

EDIT: Offer no longer available. Already arranged with someone on a time. No guarantees, of course, but hopefully it works out.

[Mike Ratledge]

Hey, anyone want my early bird G1 tier? Hate to give this up, but I need to free up my budget for this week. Please PM me if interested and maybe we can arrange a time for you to grab it. Best time for me would probably be 2 am EST but I'm open to other times.

I'll take you up on that. I ended up at a regular ("full fair") G1 level. I sent a PM...

I ended up snagging another one when somebody else hopped off one at 2:15am EDT (or close).

[Mike Ratledge]

Hey, anyone want my early bird G1 tier? Hate to give this up, but I need to free up my budget for this week. Please PM me if interested and maybe we can arrange a time for you to grab it. Best time for me would probably be 2 am EST but I'm open to other times.

EDIT: Offer no longer available. Already arranged with someone on a time. No guarantees, of course, but hopefully it works out.

Looks like I squirreled it away myself, Sher. I figured that was yours, but I knew it was already claimed so I didn't touch it for more than 30 minutes. Of course, this was 2 or so in the morning where I am (Eastern time). When I left to get a sandwich and came back to work and it was still there, I snagged it. Must not be anyone awake that time of day or it wouldn't have sat unclaimed for so long.

The campaign is down to its last day, with slightly more than 22 hours to go as I write this. It definitely looks like it will break $100,000 - it's $98,639 now.

[rousselle]

Well, the funding period for this project has just closed, and it looks like the Sherlock Holmes deck just barely made it. The goal was $30,000, and the project only beat that by, let's see... $70,288. So really, by the skin of its teeth.

Congratulations, Jackson.

[Mike Ratledge]

Well, the funding period for this project has just closed, and it looks like the Sherlock Holmes deck just barely made it. The goal was $30,000, and the project only beat that by, let's see... $70,288. So really, by the skin of its teeth.

Congratulations, Jackson.

Yep, added to the "Hall of Fame" for Kickstarter at #7 all-time KS projects, and it's the 7th one that has made more than $100k.

[sprouts1115]

So, I see the future. Your not a big dog unless you break the 100k barrier on Kickstarter. I wish all the best to Jackson Robison. I was on a google hangout with him for the final 24hr Sherloak Holmes project. All he wants to do is make playing cards better. Can't wait for him to shake the tree at the USPCC. I'm sure all his decks before he slides in the USPCC will go up in value.

"what are you talking about?" don't you see it? this is the new pedale. it's like the second coming of jesus. he should do very good.

[Mike Ratledge]

So, I see the future. Your not a big dog unless you break the 100k barrier on Kickstarter. I wish all the best to Jackson Robison. I was on a google hangout with him for the final 24hr Sherloak Holmes project. All he wants to do is make playing cards better. Can't wait for him to shake the tree at the USPCC. I'm sure all his decks before he slides in the USPCC will go up in value.

Well, I didn't set the precedent. It was that way when I started maintaining it, but only 5 had broken through the $100,000 level.

Tomorrow about this time it will be 8.

[Strag]

Latest update, not sure how I feel about the LE gilded decks and only being available on his site. I have a feeling they will be quite pricey...

Hey guys! Just wanted to give you a quick update. Getting production started has taken a little longer than initially expected because I've been working with USPC to do some really awesome stuff for you guys.

Great news is I just sent off payment and the cards will now be printed. it usually takes around 4-6 weeks from initial payment so we are probably looking at late March to early April for deliver. Hopefully we can get them in march and be on time with the initial delivery date.

Some exciting updates.

1. The Limited Edition Baker Street deck run has been lowered from 1000 total to around 856 so they are even more limited now.

2. The remaining 144 Limited Edition Baker Street decks will be made into an even more special deck! These 144 decks will receive Gold Gilded edges from USPC. These decks will be available on my website in late March or Early April once I get them back.

3. Unfortunately we had to cut back on the 4 gold foiled inside design for LTD Baker Street. Doing that many foils on top of each other would press the tuck case causing you to see the imprint on the outside of the tuck case. However the LTD Bakerstreet will have an entirely gold foil inside.

4. There will be one more VERY special surprise with the Hound of the Baskervilles deck once we receive them in March.

[Yashi]

Uusi's gilded Pagans were sold for $75 each so I think Jackson will be pricing his between $75 - $100.

[Gareth]

Latest update, not sure how I feel about the LE gilded decks and only being available on his site. I have a feeling they will be quite pricey...

2. The remaining 144 Limited Edition Baker Street decks will be made into an even more special deck! These 144 decks will receive Gold Gilded edges from USPC. These decks will be available on my website in late March or Early April once I get them back.

I have to admit being a little torn about this myself. I guess some of the 'issue' is that I felt as if one purchased the top level KS tier you'd end up with 'all the good bits', but it now appears that I (and presumably many others) will miss out on a complete set because of an extra-special - previously unannounced - small group of decks.

That said, this is Jackson's ballgame, and he is free to do whatever he wishes. (And of course, has always been very good at keeping the community involved in a fair manner - and of course being open about any changes)

[Mike Ratledge]

I have to admit being a little torn about this myself. I guess some of the 'issue' is that I felt as if one purchased the top level KS tier you'd end up with 'all the good bits', but it now appears that I (and presumably many others) will miss out on a complete set because of an extra-special - previously unannounced - small group of decks.

That said, this is Jackson's ballgame, and he is free to do whatever he wishes. (And of course, has always been very good at keeping the community involved in a fair manner - and of course being open about any changes)

Well, think about "Venexiana" - it morphed a good bit at the end of the campaign and everyone was quite pleased. I think this is an honest effort to make something even more collectable. 144 decks is a pretty exclusive edition. Uusi did 50 decks, as I recall - and they were $75, one mine (I'll take a 1 of 50 just about every time). I'm sure Jackson will crease my plastic one more time, I'm thinking you can count on it.

[chach]

Sorry, if this doesn't come out very clearly, my mind isn't quite working today. Probably all the cold meds... Yeah, that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it. Anyways, my problem with this, and even when UUSI did it I wasn't too pleased, is that we the kickstarter supporters are the ones that paid for everything to be created but we're not getting any of the benefits that the retailer does when they start dabbling in the secondary market, crossing the line from corporation to personal collector. Something that I'm not real supportive of, and it's really something that Jackson is perfecting unfortunately. After realizing the secondary market will pay out the arse in some cases for their products they're looking for ways to create that new uber-limited edition, even though I) As kickstarter investors we all paid for it be created. II) We didn't know it was going to be created. III) We'd have to pay AGAIN to get it. IV) The retailer assumes great profit for no extra work in this case.

I hate to say it, but IMO JR is getting close to the business practices of D$D. The only thing that sets them apart really is that JR is capable of putting out incredible pieces of art as opposed to the half assed money grabs that D$D 'create'. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if there's a Kings Wild Club in the works. Pay something like $200 / year (cause it's JR, he can charge more) and get exclusive rights to buying decks / front of the line for any future releases. Basically, retailers shouldn't be dabbling in the secondary market is what it all boils down to I guess.

Sorry, I'll go put on my flame suit and get back to chugging the cough syrup and watching TV now.

[Eoghann]

Gotta hand it to him, JR is astute as hell.

I sure hope those 856 is more than what the pledges demand, because if those remaining 144 are the buffer; I won't settle for a coupon if it arrives damaged like the Fed 52 LE.

[Gareth]

I hate to say it, but IMO JR is getting close to the business practices of D$D.

I can see why one might compare Jackson to D$D, but seriously there are several differences there - if this was the Buck$, all the decks would have been posted out, the Limited editions would have been pump promoted several times over a month or so - saying how amazing they are (and sneak peeks on Instagram or whatever the cool kids are using), and then this awesome variation would be released - but only when you purchased $150 of mainly near worthless decks in a box. ...oh, and the other difference: design ability.

Well, think about "Venexiana" - it morphed a good bit at the end of the campaign and everyone was quite pleased. I think this is an honest effort to make something even more collectable. 144 decks is a pretty exclusive edition. Uusi did 50 decks, as I recall - and they were $75, one mine (I'll take a 1 of 50 just about every time). I'm sure Jackson will crease my plastic one more time, I'm thinking you can count on it.

Venexiana changes happened during the Kickstarter campaign, you had the choice with that - including the possibility of cancelling your pledge. This has happened over two months after Jackson got my several hundred dollars.

I have no problem with collectable decks, it is part of the reason I collect. However, I pledged for two of everything - including staying up to all hours to get into the limited level before others - at least partially to get the rarer decks.... I guess I feel a little like this was a bait and switch (I'm not accusing Jackson here, it is just how it feels) - where Jackson says for $xxx you can get the ultimate set of these decks, only to be told months later - before I receive *anything* - that, "you now are just getting an above average set, but for an additional $xxx you can have a 'one in 144' deck to complete your collection". It feels a little dirty.

[MagikFingerz]

I definitely agree that changing things after the kickstarter campaign is a big no-no. What the changes are doesn't matter as much as long as it's within the campaign time and people have the choice of opting in or out.

[Widdee]

I have no problem with collectable decks, it is part of the reason I collect. However, I pledged for two of everything - including staying up to all hours to get into the limited level before others - at least partially to get the rarer decks.... I guess I feel a little like this was a bait and switch (I'm not accusing Jackson here, it is just how it feels) - where Jackson says for $xxx you can get the ultimate set of these decks, only to be told months later - before I receive *anything* - that, "you now are just getting an above average set, but for an additional $xxx you can have a 'one in 144' deck to complete your collection". It feels a little dirty.

I pledged the same, stayed up late too and although I like the pledge it would be nice to know this stuff up front. Like you Gareth I was left with the impression the LE was going to be the creme de la creme. Sets a bad precedent for future projects.

[Widdee]

I definitely agree that changing things after the kickstarter campaign is a big no-no. What the changes are doesn't matter as much as long as it's within the campaign time and people have the choice of opting in or out.

Plants a bad seed in your mind that you might not be getting the rarest, most collectible of the creator's work and there are many who collect for that very reason. I tend to buy the LEs because they are worth more right out of the gate and tend to stay that way on KS projects (not so much the big boys who consider 5k a limited run).

[Eoghann]

I'm becoming increasingly disenchanted by these shenanigans. Feels like we're being mocked and taken advantage of.

This should have been a simple affair, we pledge - we receive our rewards...case closed, moving on to the next project. I am of the opinion that the "tuck swap expensive LE" should not have even existed. Should've been a different deck all together. People still forked over the extra crash because of its rarity. Now it doesn't matter anymore coz the super duper mega rare one will throw it off kilter.

Congrats to Jackson for exploiting the collector's weakness with deliberate rarity. It's brilliant business.

[chach]

Congrats to Jackson for exploiting the collector's weakness with deliberate rarity. It's brilliant business.

Reading the responses especially Eoghann's there, I'm glad that I'm not alone in my feelings. The worst thing is though, is I know JR will get more of my money in the future, especially with his Armed Forces decks. I feel like I'm prostituting myself for drugs here, in the words of the great Al Jourgensen, Just One Fix...

[max]

I am sorry, and although I can admit it is just my problem, I feel a terrible disappointing about this last update of the gilded decks.

As many other did (I am sure) I made a terrible economical effort to have ALL this campaign decks, even those rare and overpriced ones. As a serious collector, It is annoying to know there will be another one I won't be able to have for sure. Of course, Jackson is free to offer whatever he wants. Market is free, and I am agreeing with prices when I buy, so this is not a complain against the greedy policy of Jackson, just a statement of my feeling, and I promise it is an annoying feeling. For some reason, last times I have backed his campaigns, I cannot avoid a guilty feeling of not being doing the correct. I insist, it is my problem, but this is a group of friend and I need to share that feeling.

Best wishes to all

[JacksonRobinson]

The biggest reason I created this small set of cards was to help steer the playing card world in a direction that I would like to see it go. I do attempt to do that by creating truly rare cards and not one of the big guys definition of rare. Most of the big guys will call 5000 decks rare. The is my passion but it is also my business and I have to do things differently than the big guys to hope to make a living and a place for myself. I purposefully didn't offer those LTD Baker Streets as I was already planning and pushing USPC out of their comfort zone to move forward with gilding as it was an add on they had recently discontinued. I hope that small steps forward like this will help encourage USPC to be more flexible and more willing to try new stuff.

I as a collector my self am tired of the same old thing from most card companies. "Hey lets release the 17th color version of this back design" In the end if you and I added up all the money we spent on "different colored" versions of the same back I think you would find the price of my decks wouldn't even compare.

[Eoghann]

How is a single gross pushing USPCC to reconsider bringing back guilded edges? To me it just seems like after the final tally, you were left with 144 unclaimed decks and said "well, what the hell do I do with this surplus? Can't exactly sell them on my site as is, I'll never hear the end of it." So it's logical that you make something even more special out of them.

To me, it would've made more sense to reduce the number of LE to 900 or 856, making it even more rare - throwing in guilded while you're at it if you really want to go that route, and increasing the stock of regular Baker Street to sell on your site. But that's to our benefit you see...no money to be made there. I don't reproach your shrewd business tactics, but I do bemoan that our current pledges couldn't benefit from it, leaving us with a second rate rarity. That leaves to wonder what HOB will bring. Can't say I'm at the edge of my seat with anticipation.

But what worries me the most is the 856. Is that number rounded off to include a small buffer to cover damages or is that the exact number of pledges?

[JacksonRobinson]

The progress with USPC is this, they now offer gilding (as it had been previously discontinued) and also 1 gross is now the new minimum for gilding instead of 10000 so i see that as a win for all designers.

Its so disheartening how no matter what you do it is always seen as some greedy shrewd business tactic. I guess I shouldn't mention that the gilded gross of LTD Bakers Streets is the least of the surprises that I have in store for the Sherlock project.

Me negotiating with USPC over and over and paying extra out of my pocket to get the Custom, Numbered Seals placed under the cello wrapping must be yet another shrewd business tactic and not me trying to listen to you guys and what you want.

Just because a project is over doesn't mean that I can't use the production of the decks as a vehicle for trying new things. Nothing I promised backers has changed or been taken from them.

[YoYoSpin]

Some of the posts here on this thread are quite harsh and uncalled for IMHO. Please calm down, everyone...

[Mike Ratledge]

Some of the posts here on this thread are quite harsh and uncalled for IMHO. Please calm down, everyone...

I have to agree to disagree. It's not our place to tell the artists and designers what to do, but we can express a reasonable "respectful" opinion. I won't allow it to descend into a shooting match here, it's just uncalled for. We are all big kids now. Nobody take this personally, please - it's just a matter of a change of direction to a kinder, gentler UC overall. We can disagree, we can express ourselves without reservation, but please understand that it's all part of the give and take we allow here, and the formerly bitter underlying personalities just aren't here any more.

So I've been told "Opinions are like @holes, everybody has one" (and in general, they stink as I recall it being put).

It's impossible to read tone or intonation into text messages, believe me I've had my share of faux pas and auto-corrected malformed to definitely malicious stuff from my phone. I've said it before, but my analogy is that you can't just look at both side of the coin any more, sometimes there are 3 or 4 sides, sometimes you have to look at the edges and land the edge one once to see what I mean. "It ain't easy when you expect nothing but black or white"

@YoYoSpin, I understand what you're saying, but I don't want to limit interactions here unless they get out of hand. I don't think people expressing their opinions here rises (of falls) to that level. I'll go back to my corner, now.

[max]

It wasn't my intention to be harsh or respectfulness. If my message sounded like that, I am sorry. I disagree with many things said here, and I am really worried about the way some companies and creators are handling the playing cards world, but I won't transfer my bad feelings to you...

All my best to all

Max

[Eoghann]

I don't mean shrewd in a bad way, let's get that out of the way. You know exactly which buttons to push to make the public's mouths water over your decks. That's simply brilliant. If I agree with that is a whole other story. I'm not one to shell out money for tuck swaps and special stickers..but that's just me. The masses wanted 1000 tuck swaps over 2500 brand new decks and you listened to them. I was of the opposing half.

The military series is going to be a gold mine. Not just for collectors, but because it's a subject an entire nation can relate to. I can already see people buying in bulk to ship to the troops. A guy with your talent and fame..that is an exceptional decision.

The rub with Sherlock is, the backers pledged for what they thought was the ultimate set. The project was tailored for four decks, heck even the wooden boxes are designed for it. Now there's a fifth deck to worry about. For the completionist, that's a problem.

That USPCC has lowered the gilded option to merely a gross is an undisputed win for everyone, and it's all thanks to you! It's just that it maybe should have waited for another project.

@yoyo: I absolutely understand how all this can be interpreted as hateful lambasting towards a designer. But I try to choose my words very carefully. I even go through several drafts before submitting. But there are some things that simply can't be sugar coated.

Jackson is a smart, talented guy who has risen above the crowd and now stands as one of the main designers who has rekindled a passion for playing cards. Several stand by his side who have paved the way for new artists. JR started from the bottom and now he is a superstar. He has listened to user feedback and tailored his work to fit most of them. Surely he will never be able to please everyone. But that doesn't mean we can just sit around with arms crossed and wallets open. Whether he takes opinions into consideration is completely up to him. We are at the very least entitled to express them as cordially as possible.

[Mike Ratledge]

So, how did you feel about it when you first saw the "Whispering Imps" red felt-looking velum tuck edition? Maybe not as big a jump, but it wasn't available during the project, and turned out to be one of the best after-funding addons I think we've seen, right? Admittedly it was a stretch goal, but not quite reached during the campaign.

[Eoghann]

I wasn't part of that campaign. I came a little late to the party so I'm not sure how that went down. One thing I can say: I paid $18 bucks for that red deck after market. A deck with a few extra bells and whistles that only cost a little more than the standard version. Not twice or triple that. Same goes for Origins, Venexiana, Civil Unrest, Black Book, Steampunk Pirates and countless others like them. But the limited edition production vs retail cost debate is a different can of worms I don't want to open.

I want to believe Jackson has done this with best of intentions so I'll quit ragging on the guy and just drop the discussion. You guys know how strongly I feel about deliberate, premium priced rarities. So this could go on forever without anyone budging, as there are equal forces on both sides.

[JacksonRobinson]

I agree with you guys about having a constructive environment to voice opinions. And by NO means have any of the comments said on this thread been taken by me the wrong way. I wish the majority of the correspondence I have gotten in the past be as tame as this.

The convo about deliberate rarity is a never-ending hole that will never come to end. Whether is Jerry's Nuggets which aren't rare at all by any means or 5000 Ellusionist decks that they just "found" under some box, price only has to do with what people are willing to pay for it. As for my decks they are deliberately rare as I make them that way. I don't say there are only 1000 and then 6 months later release 1000 more of my "private reserves". Rare decks are what I want to create, and rare decks are what you will get from me everytime. I'm not going to print extra for a buffer as that would defeat the purpose of the rarity I will just refund your money.

Side Note: My Sherlock cases have and are designed for 6 total decks 4 up top and 2 below the false bottom secret compartment.

Another convo that will go on forever is that of a tuck swap. I'm not sure why people don't place as much importance on a tuck as they do the cards them selves as its one package and body of work.

90% of all the collectors don't even open their decks anyways. I for one open every deck I buy or trade. I think the tuck is just as important as the cards them selves as I'm in this for the art and design. What would people say if I had the exact same tuck case for two different decks.