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from Paul's website

In 2012 I designed Aurum, the critical followup to Encarded's first deck, Tendril. Aurum was inspired by my travels to Italy and featured dramatic purple coloring, metallic inks, unique edge patterns and high detail. Over the years, Aurum has become a favorite of collectors and the ultra-limited Aurum Laser Cut decks routinely top the lists of most valuable modern decks.

Aurum has always been one of my personal favorites and I’ve wanted to make a deck that pays homage to it for a long time. For several years I’ve had a design motif in my files which I feel speaks beautifully to some of the original design ideas from Aurum, but until now I have not found a way to make this new deck truly special. Luckily, Expert Playing Card Co. approached me last year with a new possibility that I think perfectly accents the design and allowed me to create something brand new in the world of playing cards. The result will be quite spectacular.

I call it RADIA, and it will be (tentatively) released at the 52+Joker Annual convention in October, 2017. RADIA will combine the purple and gold of Aurum in a dramatic new way, it has incredible levels of detail, will be limited in nature, and will be housed in a beautiful but simple box just like Aurum was. I will also be keeping a limited number of RADIA decks aside to create a new laser cut version that I hope will eclipse Aurum in every way.

For now, I will leave you with this teaser image, but rest assured that RADIA will be a deck worthy of your collection. Watch for more information in coming weeks.

Sincere thanks, as always, for the support over the years and I hope that RADIA finds its way onto your shelf in the near future.

This is so filthy* that when I was looking at this page, my mom walked into this room, I panicked and I switched to porn.

*Filthy in all the right ways that is.

Räpylätassu wrote:This is so filthy* that when I was looking at this page, my mom walked into this room, I panicked and I switched to porn.

*Filthy in all the right ways that is.

LOL!

Looks as if the deck is printed on an already patterned stock? Either way, who's going to the 52+ Joker convention and wants to pick up an extra one for me!?

I want one too.

the artwork for Radia has been approved, btw, so hopefully everything is on track. It's going to be so very pretty....

Paul, I see it's made in China by Expert. Has the quality there caught up to the Taiwan factory?

With the Chinese factory, I don't think its an issue with quality, but rather quality control. Let's take Legal Tender as the most recent example. While the artwork was consistent across the board, I've independently confirmed with various cardists (who I respect and am certain they know how decks should handle) that some decks were adequate within the typical range of EPCC/LPCC decks from the Taiwanese factory, and some decks handled like utter crap, and everything in between. This variance in quality control for handling is completely unacceptable for any deck, whether you're a cardists, or just want to enjoy a game of poker. I think with far too many designers, all their focus is making sure their decks are "pretty" (artwork, color saturation, registration, etc...) and they care far less about handling. This is why you sometimes see inconsistent crap being put out and the designer still stands behind it. Until I see proof to the contrary, I'm going to be wary of any EPCC/LPCC Chinese decks.

vasta41 wrote:Looks as if the deck is printed on an already patterned stock? Either way, who's going to the 52+ Joker convention and wants to pick up an extra one for me!?

I'm in for a couple, Paul. Is the price known? (don't see it anywhere in my 52+J stuff)

I had planned to attend, but finances won't handle it right now.

Excited to see more of this. Never caught on the Tendril/Aurum, but this teaser is definitely working

This deck needed to be done in the China factory for a specific reason. I've made a lot of decks that handle amazingly, and my sample has quite nice fanning and snap to it, but this one is definitely aimed to the collector side of the market. You won't have another deck like it in your collection, for sure.

Thanks for being that honest to us. I'll be there when you put them on sale.

Encarded wrote:This deck needed to be done in the China factory for a specific reason. I've made a lot of decks that handle amazingly, and my sample has quite nice fanning and snap to it, but this one is definitely aimed to the collector side of the market. You won't have another deck like it in your collection, for sure.

Will you consider affordable display decks, without the fancy bells and whistles...just the cards?

TGunitedcardists wrote:

Encarded wrote:This deck needed to be done in the China factory for a specific reason. I've made a lot of decks that handle amazingly, and my sample has quite nice fanning and snap to it, but this one is definitely aimed to the collector side of the market. You won't have another deck like it in your collection, for sure.

Will you consider affordable display decks, without the fancy bells and whistles...just the cards?

Paul, stick to your original plans. Don't continue the JR trend with display decks. Add as many "bells and whistles" as you possible can and charge as much as you want. Collectable decks should stay rare and collectable, just look at Lotrek's decks. Not many people open and play with $80 decks. Your Aurum decks fall into that category.

Cardician_82 wrote:Paul, stick to your original plans. Don't continue the JR trend with display decks. Add as many "bells and whistles" as you possible can and charge as much as you want. Collectable decks should stay rare and collectable, just look at Lotrek's decks. Not many people open and play with $80 decks. Your Aurum decks fall into that category.

Or don't. Have a collectable version with all the bells and whistles, and have a cheaper display deck where people actually enjoy and use the cards... best of both worlds.

Cardician_82 wrote:

TGunitedcardists wrote:

Encarded wrote:This deck needed to be done in the China factory for a specific reason. I've made a lot of decks that handle amazingly, and my sample has quite nice fanning and snap to it, but this one is definitely aimed to the collector side of the market. You won't have another deck like it in your collection, for sure.

Will you consider affordable display decks, without the fancy bells and whistles...just the cards?

Paul, stick to your original plans. Don't continue the JR trend with display decks. Add as many "bells and whistles" as you possible can and charge as much as you want. Collectable decks should stay rare and collectable, just look at Lotrek's decks.
Not many people open and play with $80 decks. Your Aurum decks fall into that category.

I understand this viewpoint, but the highlighted part is what I (and I think many others) feel is a bit of a shame. What's the point of creating beautiful works of art if nobody gets to see and appreciate them?

MagikFingerz wrote:What's the point of creating beautiful works of art if nobody gets to see and appreciate them?

Ownership. That's the point for me at least. I don't own the prohibitively expensive decks so I can appreciate their art, I own them so I can appreciate their rarity and value.

I have to admit that I'm with Justin on this argument.

I much prefer to own a reasonably priced deck knowing that it will increase in value over time due to its rarity whilst display decks tend to de-value the all singing/dancing collector decks.

An argument could also be made here against collector decks - is there any point in designer's spending the extra money making decks with all the bells and whistles if consumers are happy to purchase the plain tuck versions, surely there is more profit to be made just producing the cheaper versions.

As others have said previously, those who keep their decks sealed are merely tuck collectors rather than card collectors but often the tucks are exquisite enough to fulfil any artistic desire.

misterharmanko wrote:I have to admit that I'm with Justin on this argument.

I much prefer to own a reasonably priced deck knowing that it will increase in value over time due to its rarity whilst display decks tend to de-value the all singing/dancing collector decks.

An argument could also be made here against collector decks - is there any point in designer's spending the extra money making decks with all the bells and whistles if consumers are happy to purchase the plain tuck versions, surely there is more profit to be made just producing the cheaper versions.

As others have said previously, those who keep their decks sealed are merely tuck collectors rather than card collectors but often the tucks are exquisite enough to fulfil any artistic desire.

This is why I always buy 2 of every deck...

A lot of people probably can't afford that, and that's great. The true players and appreciators will open their 1 deck. The true collectors or re-sellers want to retain or recoup value. I, being a collector and someone who loves the artwork, get the best of both worlds. I've earned being able to do that.

I abhor display decks. There are only a few, the JR Gilded Tally-Hos as example, that I truly appreciate. You have a gilded deck with the bells-and-whistles tuck, and a display deck that features the primary works of art.

I can only appreciate display decks if they're limited to the same amount as, and come with, the full package.

I don't like display decks either. But I don't believe you can't be someone who appreciates the cards AND someone who never opens their decks. I don't need to take the cards out and see them in person to appreciate the artwork I know is on them

TwoPieceFeed wrote: A lot of people probably can't afford that, and that's great.

I should have stopped reading right there.

I disagree with almost everything you just posted.

Shots fired

I personally love to open decks but totally understand that having an expensive and rare item is not always easy and sometimes you want to preserve the value. Luckily with Radia even if you decide to keep it sealed you will get a nice little glimpse of the specialness inside.

I do particularly like this design and maybe, possibly, might do a simpler version of it, but honestly the chances are slim. This design has been brewed for a long time and I simply didn't have a way to do it justice until now. It needed to be bold, visually dynamic and have some characteristics that I can explain after the full reveal, but a plain version would lose a lot of that "specialness." Yes, Radia will be much more costly than a display deck, but I think you will appreciate the visuals.

FYI that this Saturday, Sept 23 at 12PM EST I'll have Radia up for pre-order. The full reveal will be at the 52 Plus Joker convention on October 13th but if you are bold and want to get this (quite special) deck, this will be the place to be. Limited to 4 per person this time, and only 750 will be available for the pre-order.

https://encarded.com/products/radia" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Back when I used to only buy one deck, I opened and played with all of them. The opened deck IS my display deck, to admire the tuck and cards inside. I actually play with my playing cards.

2-4 of the special, future rare decks may be ideal. One to play with, one to admire it sealed and the rest to sell or give away.

Btw, I do play with $70-$100 cards. No way I'll just have them around without enjoying them. I mostly only get one of them.

I just think of some of the truly special decks. I would never open and Unbranded Black Reserve, or Jerry's Nuggets, a Blaine MS deck or Bund18's. I don't know that I will get a second chance to get some of these and I'm not going to compromise their collector's value, or what is the most important thing to me: their perfect , untouched, pristine flawlessness, by opening them.

TGunitedcardists wrote:

TwoPieceFeed wrote: A lot of people probably can't afford that, and that's great.

I should have stopped reading right there.

I disagree with almost everything you just posted.

Sorry, not sorry, but I'm not someone who thinks that everything should be available to everyone.

When I worked in customer service I could only afford to buy expensive decks for collector's appreciation/value (and had to budget for that). I'm an engineer now and have the disposable income to buy at least 2 of any deck I like. I earned this status.

Agree or disagree all you want.

TwoPieceFeed wrote:

TGunitedcardists wrote:

TwoPieceFeed wrote: A lot of people probably can't afford that, and that's great.

I should have stopped reading right there.

I disagree with almost everything you just posted.

Sorry, not sorry, but I'm not someone who thinks that everything should be available to everyone.

When I worked in customer service I could only afford to buy expensive decks for collector's appreciation/value (and had to budget for that). I'm an engineer now and have the disposable income to buy at least 2 of any deck I like. I earned this status.

Agree or disagree all you want.

The only thing that is worse than what was said (again) is how it was said (again).

If life brings you pleasure as you acquire/level up to, "any 2 decks you like" status over others, the so beit. Agree or disagree all you want.

TGunitedcardists wrote:

TwoPieceFeed wrote:

TGunitedcardists wrote:

TwoPieceFeed wrote: A lot of people probably can't afford that, and that's great.

I should have stopped reading right there.

I disagree with almost everything you just posted.

Sorry, not sorry, but I'm not someone who thinks that everything should be available to everyone.

When I worked in customer service I could only afford to buy expensive decks for collector's appreciation/value (and had to budget for that). I'm an engineer now and have the disposable income to buy at least 2 of any deck I like. I earned this status.

Agree or disagree all you want.

The only thing that is worse than what was said (again) is how it was said (again).

If life brings you pleasure as you acquire/level up to, "any 2 decks you like" status over others, the so beit. Agree or disagree all you want.

You're obviously inferring some sort of tone that isn't being communicated here.

Whether or not you agree with it; exclusivity exists. Dread it. Run from it. It's still here. It's what drives limited editions from artists and for their buyers.

I collect playing cards by Paul Carpenter because they are awesome.

Agree all you want.

rousselle wrote:I collect playing cards by Paul Carpenter because they are awesome.

Agree all you want.

100% here! Anyone who disagrees is a jabroni with a poor opinion of art.

Paul Carpenter is one of the 5 best playing card artists in the world. He only releases 1-2 decks a year and they're always 100% excellent.