Page 1 of 3

UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:40 am
by Mike Ratledge
As always, when we have a featured collector, we start with a Q&A session:

Why do you collect playing cards?

I’ve always enjoyed art, even if I am a novice and layman. From the very oldest to the newest Kickstarter deck they are all art in their own way. Anyone who doesn’t think they are art has a very narrow and misguided idea of what art is. So I guess the short answer is I collect them for their beauty and for all of the myriad and ineffable reasons people collect art in general.

When did you start collecting playing cards?

Sometime during January 2014 I was Youtube hopping and saw a video about a magic trick. I didn’t know the deck the guy was using but later found that they were Black Ghosts from Ellusionist. I had never seen a deck like that before and was immediately taken by them. The comments from the author had a link to Ellusionist and I ordered two decks without hesitating. About a month later I found UC, lurked awhile and then joined. It’s been downhill for my debit card ever since.

How many decks are in your collection?

I stopped counting after 200. Somewhere between 400 and 500 maybe? This of course includes duplicates and “practice” decks. Standard Rider/Standard backs.

What types of decks do you collect?

Mostly modern decks but I have been dipping my toes a bit into older decks and rarer decks. I recently picked up two decks on Ebay printed in the 1970’s in Egypt that I am particularly proud of.

How do you organize your collection?

Well my most prized decks are displayed in my study/office/living room. I have a 60 deck Lucite display case I picked up from CPC. The rest that are displayed are on 6 ledge shelves I picked up at Ikea. I have them on wooden plate stands I got at a hobby store. Since I don’t use my china I put it into storage and repurposed my hutch as a display for as many of my Bicycle decks and other similarly prized decks I have. The rest are in small plastic storage totes I also picked up at Ikea. (That place is an evil money pit, I swear it!)

What is your favorite deck of the ones you have, and why?

Well in my case its decks because they are a set. Since they were a gift/reward from my favorite designer it would have to be my Mercury Gran Riserva set. (If anyone wants them, pick a number greater than zero and plan on adding at least 5 zeros after it)

What deck that you do not have would you most like to have?

Wow. Talk about a loaded question! You would think it’s an uber rare and priceless deck but oddly enough it’s got to be the Bicycle Porcelain deck. I love the art but I think it’s also partly due to not being able to get it. I know there are some on Ebay but vastly overpriced and I promised myself I would stop overpaying for cards.

What would you like to see in the design of a new deck?

I really like what is new and fresh but I really would like to see something old redone but with its own feel or soul. It’s hard to put into words. A good analogy are cover songs. It’s not hard for a talented band or singer to cover someone else’s song and mimic it but the very best covers are the ones that a great performer makes their own. Johnny Cash’s cover of the Nine Inch Nails song “Hurt” is the perfect example of this. Cash, a Country/Rockabilly singer took a song by an industrial band and made it his own. You can hear the original in it but his version is so “him” that he redefined it. That the essence of what I would like to see. Sorry. No baby seal skin/ivory inlay/titanium foil!

Has the way you collect playing cards changed since you started?

A great deal actually. For starters I don’t buy every deck I see anymore. I have learned to be more discerning and picky. And as I said above I am looking at older and rarer decks as well now. I am also trying, and mostly failing to not be a “completionist”.

What is the oldest deck in your collection, when did you get it, and did you pay too much?

Well there’s the Egyptian decks I mentioned above from the 70’s. I also have some Rider Backs from the 60’s. Both were purchased from Thrift stores for pennies so I didn’t overpay for them. I’m still working on older decks.

What is your favorite part of your collection that isn't a deck of cards?

I’m not a huge add on fan but if something catches my eye, and I can afford it, I’ll grab it. That being said I really like the companion booklets from Colonial unrest and Golden Spike. And since it’s not a deck my Dia De Los Muertos and Heretic uncuts are favorite. I don’t have much wall space so I resist the uncuts.

Do you have any words of wisdom for new collectors?

Just to try to go slow and learn what you like. It’s hard to resist buying tons of decks in the beginning and we all usually fail, but try. Also, and more importantly do your homework. Research and ask questions. Not just about a certain decks value but with Kickstarter being a big part of this hobby now and so many decks there, ask about designers and their delivery and overall reputation. I got sucked into a campaign early on and it’s currently 7 months late with no delivery in sight. As it turned out the guy running the campaign had a pretty bad reputation but I rushed in waving my debit card around without asking.

Well thanks for honoring me with Collector of the month and sorry for my long winded answers!

Thank you, John! Enjoy your time as the latest UC Featured Collector!

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 12:59 am
by nECr0MaNCeD
Ok folks, CBJ is an tough (Read impossible!) act to follow but I hope you enjoy me sharing my collection as much as I will sharing it.

I thought I would start by sharing my displays....

Ledge shelves from Ikea
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Another shelf and my 60 deck lucite display

Image

Image

Some framed goodies

Image

Image

Image

Repurposed China Cabinet (Who needs China when you have cards to display?)

Image

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 6:32 am
by volantangel
Sweet displays !! I recognize some of the stuff displayed =D

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 6:32 am
by MagikFingerz
Off to a great start! Heh, I also used a china cabinet at one point (had to move on since it wasn't mine though), so that brings back memories :)

Where do those individual deck stands come from?

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 6:43 am
by nECr0MaNCeD
MagikFingerz wrote:Off to a great start! Heh, I also used a china cabinet at one point (had to move on since it wasn't mine though), so that brings back memories :)

Where do those individual deck stands come from?
They can be found at any hobby store in the US for about $2. Mine came from AC Moore. They are actually made for plates but they work well enough.


@Volantangel.... I was sure you would.... :D

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:12 pm
by Mike Ratledge
Really nice use of various types of displays, nECr0! I obviously need to let my imagination run wild, there's a really nice old (read "heavy" and real wood) cabinet downstairs that we haven't used in ages. Now that I think about it, the slide out shelves would be perfect for storing bricks of decks that are intended as investments five years down the road.

You have me thinking! I could even put a shelf in splitting the top in half and use the top part to store uncut tubes instead of packing them away like cord wood.

Great start, and you are right - Jay's a tough act to follow, which is why nobody has taken me up on the offer in months. I'm sure you have other things (read not Bicycle) that he didn't cover, and we all collect pretty much what we like these days.

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:59 pm
by Eoghann
Lovely display! Glad to see some pictures! I have to admit my heart nearly skipped a beat when I saw that fire sprinkler just creeping behind your collection. Make sure no one smokes in those rooms. :lol:

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 6:22 am
by montecarlojoe
I love the way you've displayed these!

I'm poised to totally copy NEcro! - the ikea shelves are pretty cheap right now, and you can get 100 (not quite as nice) plate stands for around £20.

However the big chunk of wall I have is right above a radiator - and I'm in two minds whether to mount my collection above a heat source... any advice guys?

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:37 am
by CBJ
The displays look amazing!!

Great job

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 2:26 pm
by nECr0MaNCeD
Thank you for the kind words everyone! :oops:

@Mike... Oddly enough I am trying to get rid of the China Cabinet to free up wall space. It's Ok for storage but as a display it leaves a bit to be desired.

@Montecarlojoe... I would think twice before displaying anything made of paper near a heat source. :cry:

@Eoghann... LOL. I thought I would be the only one to notice that. Not that I have a choice. The sprinklers went into every room in the house when I was remodeled/added onto. No worries. No one smokes in the house.

@CBJ...Thank you kind sir.

New round of pics tonight. Thanks everyone for being patient.

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 2:41 pm
by dazzleguts
I second the advisory against putting decks over a heat source. My playing cards are stored on the other side of the room to the room heater. Closer to the centre of the house where the temperature stays more even.

Love the shelf and plate stand combo.
It really looks much better than the squished together decks in the case.

Those plate stands show up at thrift stores as well. I picked one up for 50 cents and really like how the deck looks in it. They can adjust for narrow and wide decks as well. Have you tried the metal stands as well?

I really want to see your 1970s Egypt decks Necro - will you be posting them?

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 2:54 pm
by ecNate
I always find it interesting to see and hear how others collect and store their collections, especially what got them into it.

I will second the need to see the Egypt decks also! :D

As mentioned in other threads I too was looking to use those IKEA shelves, but your combination with the plate stands makes it a perfect fit! That's really a great combination of resources there to make this work great. I'm pretty sure the braided metal stands Sparkz (I think it was him) uses for photos are also another version of plate stands which also would work great here (image below). I also like how you have a uniform look to them as I was just going to add a few under my other cases to fit larger and odd size decks, but seeing your grouped displays make me think I should get a few and stack like you have. Thanks for sharing.

Image

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 6:37 pm
by montecarlojoe
nECr0MaNCeD wrote: @Montecarlojoe... I would think twice before displaying anything made of paper near a heat source. :cry:
Lol - Point taken. I'm not so worried about fire though the radiator is covered - no way paper will come in contact with hot metal!

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 10:31 am
by nECr0MaNCeD
@Dazzleguts... I will be posting the Egyptian deck a little later.

@Ecnate... Thanks. I tried the metal stands that Sparkz uses but they are a little too big and require bending. I tried but ruined about 6 before giving up.


And a few more. I figured I would start with the Bicycle stuff.

Image

Image

Image

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:04 pm
by Eoghann
Hey Necro, how are the decks above the lucite case staying up?

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:30 pm
by ecNate
Eoghann wrote:Hey Necro, how are the decks above the lucite case staying up?

Gravity :o :lol: I sit a bunch of mine up there too, they don't NEED any additional support in most cases so I would be surprised if he's got anything more.

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 12:15 pm
by nECr0MaNCeD
ecNate wrote:
Eoghann wrote:Hey Necro, how are the decks above the lucite case staying up?

Gravity :o :lol: I sit a bunch of mine up there too, they don't NEED any additional support in most cases so I would be surprised if he's got anything more.
Bingo! I was at a loss for where to display the Golden Spike and Aquila box sets. I didn't want to just store them because I paid for them and the decks look so nice in their boxes. The same goes for the Heretic Brick XI. I am planning a display for it and the Mercury Gran Riserva. I just haven't found anyone to create the display yet.

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 12:25 pm
by Eoghann
You guys are fearless. :lol:

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 7:11 am
by nECr0MaNCeD
Some more.


Image

Image

Image

Image

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 2:19 am
by nECr0MaNCeD
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 8:35 am
by Eoghann
Are you currently displaying your entire collection minus the duplicates or are there some oddballs not on display? :)

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 9:00 am
by volantangel
Haha i really dont like the bicycle faith deck, one of the worst imo. apart from the VORTEX DECK !

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 9:22 am
by MagikFingerz
volantangel wrote:Haha i really dont like the bicycle faith deck, one of the worst imo. apart from the VORTEX DECK !
:o Shhhh, wally might hear you!

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 9:25 am
by nECr0MaNCeD
@Eoghann... You hit the nail right on the head. I'd say there are about 30 or so I haven't displayed yet.

@Volantangel... What can I say? It came in a bundle with a bunch of other decks.

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 9:41 am
by nECr0MaNCeD
Working on getting through the Bikes...

Image

Image

Image

Image

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 1:16 pm
by nECr0MaNCeD
Almost done with the Bicycle stuff....

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:41 pm
by Jock1971
Hey there nECr0MaNCed :D
Just like to say THANKS for becoming UC Featured Collector 8-) i find it very interesting what other collector have in there collection.

Has there been a deck that you could have purchased, but decided against it and are now regretting your decision ?
When i first started collecting i had a chance of an original Blue Blood by UUSI but passed it up as i had no real knowledge about it :? ...now i`m kicking myself :cry:

I am enjoying seeing what you have posted so far and look forward to see the rest of your collection

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 10:07 am
by nECr0MaNCeD
Thanks Jock1971. I am also interested in seeing others collections. That's why your thread is one of my favorites.

As for dropping pledges, I have a couple. Sishou Beasts is the only one that comes to mind. Purely for financial reasons. Actually most of my regrets are for not getting more. I split a brick of Green Gatorbacks with another member. Of that 6 decks I gave away 2 decks ( about to give away a third) and traded one. That leaves a sealed deck for the collection and one open deck. I really love these cards for magic and wish I had more. Had I known how much I would come to like them I would have borrowed the money from my sister and gotten a gross. :D

PS I only have the blue and green Expert Back decks. There is a red that none of the Wal-marts near me ever seem to have. If anyone has a red deck to spare I'd love to trade or buy.


The last of the Bicycle/common stuff....

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 12:27 am
by nECr0MaNCeD
Now that the Basic Bicycle stuff is done ......onward. Some stuff from Thrift shops and ebay as well some odds and ends....


The American Airlines deck is open and complete. The Delta deck is sealed.
Image

Image

Three from United Airlines. All open and complete.
Image

Qantas is sealed and Carnival is open/complete.
Image

These were on clearance at Walgreens for $1 per 2 deck set.
Image

Image

Image

From the Dollar tree. What the heck, they were a $1. (I'd buy that for a dollar!)
Image

Re: UC Featured Collector for March & April 2015 nECr0MaNCeD

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 12:35 am
by nECr0MaNCeD
And now because Dazzleguts asked for them... I got these on Ebay and was shocked that I was the winning bid and final cost was $12 with shipping.


The Red deck is opened and complete. The Blue deck is sealed. The stock is the heaviest I have ever encountered and the finish is a tiny bit more slippery than linen. There is some slight warping but for a deck nearly as old as me that's not bad.
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image