Your Ultimate Custom Brick!

[dmbaggs]

So I thought it'd be fun to throw this out there, maybe it could be fun! So take the cards you have (not the cards you'd like) and find the 12 that make your ultimate custom brick!! Then take a picture and post it in here in the thread along with your comment about what you picked any why.



So I guess I'll go first!

Here's my ultimate custom brick (from left to right)...
JAQK Cellars (T11 edition)
Bicycle Irregular
Smoke V1
Smoke and Mirrors V5
Black Crown Deck
Tungstene
A. Bandit Playing Cards
White Lions (blue)
White Lions (red)
Gold Monarchs
Sentinels

I chose these cards because many of them are my favorite decks for artistic reasons. I like the oddities and interesting designs that they have to offer. Also a couple of them have back stories to how I got them. So these are 11 special decks to me.

EDIT: Moon.exe had a good eye and noticed I only had 11 here, but I'm just going to leave it that way. You all get the point of this little game haha

[moonexe]

But there's only 11 decks...

[Kanped]

I threw all my brick boxes away but gimme a few minutes, I'll try it out.

[dmbaggs]

But there's only 11 decks...

Shoot that was my bad. Good eye Moon! I feel dumb haha I'll just leave it at 11 then. 

[Kanped]

- Karnival Hornets
- Orange V-slims
- S&M v6
- Bee Squeezers
- Bee Watermelon, blue
- Bee Acorn Back Silver
- The Jill Deck (card-shark.de)
- Karnival Dead Eyes V2
- Friar's Club, orange
- Brown Wynn
- Steamboat 909 (Red)
- Vintage Plaid, red

[moonexe]

Arizona red plaid is one of my favorites too.
I'll try to do it a bit later, though I might not have enough variety in my collection right now.

[Evan]

Hmm... I was putting my brick together and the brick boxes seem to only fit 11 decks!

[xZEROx]

Lol I think maybe you guys put it in the wrong way. Try to put them face up? In a 3*4 stack will probably get you 12 decks in.
(Though that wouldn't allow you to show the 12 decks :S)

@Kanped, mind to make a list of those decks? Some aren't that easy to tell just by the side of the box..

[loldudex2]

Also, what's up with A. Bandit cards? I've seen a lot of people have them in their collections, but what's so special about them. I honestly don't like the backs.

Also, I will try to upload my ultimate brick photos later!

[xZEROx]

Chill. Every person has their own taste in the products. Maybe it's just their style.
I'm quite busy this week, I'll try to upload mine some time soon.

[NathanCanadas]

Hmm... I was putting my brick together and the brick boxes seem to only fit 11 decks!

I noticed the same thing a couple of days ago. They only fit 11 decks widthwise. Bummer. I like displaying my decks in brick boxes but they don't fit that way.
Duplicates ok?

[Kanped]

@Kanped, mind to make a list of those decks? Some aren't that easy to tell just by the side of the box..

Awww; isn't it more fun this way?  At least take a couple of guesses.

[dmbaggs]

Hmm... I was putting my brick together and the brick boxes seem to only fit 11 decks!

I know! Once it was filled I just moved on without noticing that there was only 11. I can't wait to see your brick!

Also, what's up with A. Bandit cards? I've seen a lot of people have them in their collections, but what's so special about them. I honestly don't like the backs.

Also, I will try to upload my ultimate brick photos later!

I found the two altered kings interesting and I like the oddities in the deck. It is by no means a super awesome customized deck. It just stood out to me because of certain design aspects, and it's the looks that matter the most to me on decks.

I look forward to seeing your ultimate brick! I'm guessing a JAQK deck might make it in there 

Hmm... I was putting my brick together and the brick boxes seem to only fit 11 decks!

I noticed the same thing a couple of days ago. They only fit 11 decks widthwise. Bummer. I like displaying my decks in brick boxes but they don't fit that way.
Duplicates ok?

Sure duplicates are great! It's YOUR ultimate brick haha

[NathanCanadas]

@kanped - Here are my guesses. I didn't compare them with any of my decks, it was just a quick guess.
- ?
- Orange V-slims
- S&M v6
- Bee Squeezers
- Bee Watermelon, unknown color
- Bee Acorn Back Black
- ?
- ?
- ?
- Brown wynn
- ?
- Vintage Plaid

[xZEROx]

Build up from Nathan...

- ?
- Orange V-slims
- S&M v6
- Bee Squeezers
- Bee Watermelon, unknown color
- Bee Acorn Back Black
- ?
- Karnival Assassin(?) V2
- ?
- Brown Wynn
- Steamboat 909 (Red)
- Vintage Plaid

[NathanCanadas]

Build up from Nathan...

- ?
- Orange V-slims
- S&M v6
- Bee Squeezers
- Bee Watermelon, unknown color
- Bee Acorn Back Black
- ?
- Karnival Assassin(?) V2
- ?
- Brown Wynn
- Steamboat 909 (Red)
- Vintage Plaid

Just FYI I'm not sure about the Brown Wynn or the Bee Acorn Back...

[xZEROx]

I'm not so familiar with cards outside of Bicycle brand, but I'm pretty sure the Brown Wynn's right.

[Evan]

My Ultimate Brick
(List from top to bottom)

1. Black Acorn Deck
2. Blue Artifice 2nd Ed.
3. Red Artifice
4. Red Artifice
5. Red Artifice
6. Red Artifice
7. Blue Masters (UV500)
8. Charity: water
9. Black Crown
10. Smoke and Mirrors V6 signed by D&D
11. LTD.
12. Gold Arcane

[Kanped]

Build up from Nathan...

- Karnival Hornets
- Orange V-slims
- S&M v6
- Bee Squeezers
- Bee Watermelon, unknown color
- Bee Acorn Back Silver
- The Jill Deck (card-shark.de)
- Karnival Dead Eyes V2
- Friar's Club Orange
- Brown Wynn
- Steamboat 909 (Red)
- Vintage Plaid

I filled in the blanks.  Honestly, if we're doing duplicates, it'd mostly be Steamboats...

[xZEROx]

Wow you really love E don't you?

[Aaron]

I can`t post a pic but I can post the names:


-Gold Arcane
-Bicycle Vietnam Secret Weapon deck
-LTD deck
-S&M V6
-Black Crown
-Infinity
-Brown Wynn
-If An Octopus Could Palm
-Jaqk Cellars T11
-White Arcane
-Green Crown 1st ed.
-Split Spades Lions


That is my list


Also I think it would be cool to have a thread for an Ultimate Brick of any decks that are out there.

[NathanCanadas]

I would say no duplicates because otherwise I can just put 6 Smoke v1 and 6 mirror v1 and there is no point to this.

[Evan]

I would say no duplicates because otherwise I can just put 6 Smoke v1 and 6 mirror v1 and there is no point to this.

Why would there be no point? Its still your ultimate brick!

[NathanCanadas]

I would say no duplicates because otherwise I can just put 6 Smoke v1 and 6 mirror v1 and there is no point to this.

Why would there be no point? Its still your ultimate brick!

Kinda being the devil's advocate here... Of course it may still be your ultimate brick, but I think it would be more fun to see your best combination.... a mixed brick.

[xZEROx]

I'm gonna have to agree with Nathan here. I mean sure it's YOUR ultimate brick, but I'm also sure each of us have more than 12 favourites decks we own. Why only let us know <12?

[dmbaggs]

I would say no duplicates because otherwise I can just put 6 Smoke v1 and 6 mirror v1 and there is no point to this.

Do you have those though? You need to have the decks to make the brick haha

This ultimate brick also gives us a glimpse of who you are!! If you like to stick to one deck then hey that's your thing!! Do it that is what truly is YOUR ultimate brick. If you like a combination like me then you mix it up. It's going to depend on the person haha

[DeckReview]

Not my dream brick but it does look cool next to my watch.






Uploaded with ImageShack.us


My dream brick would be...
White arrco tahoe
White arcco
White Centurions
White Ghost uv500
White Lions
Smoke v1
White Arcane uv500
White raiders
Gold Monarchs
Gold Arcane
Old red and blue studs

[hazofhorsham]

Gold Arcane,
Red Artifice,
Blue Artifice,
Karnival Renegades,
Black New Fan Back
White New Fan Back,
Magic Makers Rainbow deck,
Santa Backs Red
Santa Backs Blue
Bee Club Special Blue
Green Tally Ho
Fuschia Rider Back

[loldudex2]

I will try to upload a picture later, but as of now:
-Jaqk Cellars
-Red Artifice
-"Rainbow" White Lions
-White Lions
-Red White Lions
-Black Crown
-Tungstene
-LTD.
-If An Octopus Could Palm
-White Arrco
-Split Spades Proto-Deck Red
-Split Spades Proto-Deck Black

As you can see, the David Blaine Variety Boxes REALLY Helped out my collection!
(P.S. I tried not to include too many Blaine Decks (Since I got them all at once) but I couldn't help myself.

[xZEROx]

Gold Arcane,
Red Artifice,
Blue Artifice,
Karnival Renegades,
Black New Fan Back
White New Fan Back,
Magic Makers Rainbow deck,
Santa Backs Red
Santa Backs Blue
Bee Club Special Blue
Green Tally Ho
Fuschia Rider Back

Santa Backs Blue??!

[danktrees]

i might post a pic later but i'll have to dig up the decks first..

1. White Centurion
2. Black Ghost V1
3. Gold Arcane
4. Red Artifice
5. LTD
6. Jaqk
7. Revision 1
8. Black Crown
9. Tungstene
10. Old Aristocrat (Russell's)
11. Rainbow Lions/Red Lions
12. New White Fan Back

The tungstene, jaqk and revision 1's i added in there because i find them to be very unique and they look awesome. im really liking my revisions.

[dmbaggs]

i might post a pic later but i'll have to dig up the decks first..

1. White Centurion
2. Black Ghost V1
3. Gold Arcane
4. Red Artifice
5. LTD
6. Jaqk
7. Revision 1
8. Black Crown
9. Tungstene
10. Old Aristocrat (Russell's)
11. Rainbow Lions/Red Lions
12. New White Fan Back

The tungstene, jaqk and revision 1's i added in there because i find them to be very unique and they look awesome. im really liking my revisions.

Shoot yeah I would have added Revision 1's as well!! I don't have them yet. My Kickstarter pledge finally shipped so they should be here soon! That would probably be my 12th deck in my brick

[danktrees]

Shoot yeah I would have added Revision 1's as well!! I don't have them yet. My Kickstarter pledge finally shipped so they should be here soon! That would probably be my 12th deck in my brick

they're sweet, u'll be happy with them for sure. they're so nice that i wanna get the uncut but since it's 60 plus shipping and im in canada it'll cost over 80-85 bucks for the uncut so i'll pass on it for now. the decks are worth it tho.

[CBJ]

So here's my "brick".

I don't have any brick boxes except the V6 box, and the Blaine box... so I thought I'd use my display instead...

Here's the list...

- "Gold" Monarch ( 1 of 111 )
- Brown Wynn
- White Lions (red)
- Expo "Gargoyles" deck
- Bicycle New Fan Back (white)
- Bicycle Black Ghost (1st edition)
- Bicycle Blaine prototype Hypnotic deck White/Red
- Bicycle Blaine prototype Hypnotic deck Red/White
- LTD
- White Centurions
- Gold Arcane
- Red Artifice

( click the pics to make them bigger )

Enjoy

CBJ

[CBJ]

And.. the "Bicycle" brick I still want...

5 deck set of the OriginalFakes
2 deck set of the Cage Gardens
the Grand Opening deck
the "Made In America" Ratzenberger deck
2 deck set of Santa Backs
and the CLot deck (which I've already purchased... but won't get till later)

[danktrees]

where did u get that display case?

[Evan]

@ Danktree, I was just about to ask that!

@CBJ, thats an awesome brick! 2 of the 4 decks that I really want are in there!  White Cents and BGV1

[CBJ]

where did u get that display case?

My wife had a friend make it for me when I first started collecting.  She gave it to me for my birthday with the decks in these photos...

( click the pictures to see larger versions )

[Curt]

Here is mine.




C.1920 Class "A" tax stamp Bee deck
Absolut deck
Tungstene
1970's Imperial Palace deck
Virginia Slims (red)
Virginia Slims (blue)
1979 World blackjack championship deck from Sahara Casino
Signed DB White lion (Blue), given to me for free by awesome customer service at the DB store.
(2) Red Artifice
(2) Gold Monarch

[Knobz1]

It was hard trying to pick my favorite 12 decks.  But this is what ended up being my "Ultimate Custom Brick!"




-Jerry's Nugget
-Brown Wynn
-LTD
-Black Ghost 1st Edition
-White Lions "Rainbow Edition"
-Absolute Vodka
-Black Crown
-Smoke V1
-Mirror V1
-White Centurion
-English Laundry
-Gold Arcane

[xZEROx]

Here is mine.

C.1920 Class "A" tax stamp Bee deck
Absolut deck
Tungstene
1970's Imperial Palace deck
Virginia Slims (red)
Virginia Slims (blue)
1979 World blackjack championship deck from Sahara Casino
Signed DB White lion (Blue), given to me for free by awesome customer service at the DB store.
(2) Red Artifice
(2) Gold Monarch

More of a vintage brick eh? I'm probably gonna come up with two, one for modern/contemporary decks, and one for my vintage.

[Kanped]

Lots of Brown Wynns; that's a bit odd, isn't it?  I wouldn't have expected them to be so popular but they're great so... yeah, I guess that makes sense.

Knobz, I think you're 'winning' right now.

[Don Boyer]

My brick - left to right, top to bottom:


Bicycle New Fan Back black
Club Angel blue
Moth/Myth
The Watcher
Bicycle New Fan Back white
The Crown Deck black
LTD. (Limited)
Broken Spell
Whiteknuckle, v. 1
Archduke Eagleback blue
Bicycle Clot Ltd. Editions
Tally Ho blue circle back (gold border edition)

[CBJ]

Don, I sent you a pm

CBJ

[Frost]

how do the broken spell playing cards look like ?

[Don Boyer]

how do the broken spell playing cards look like ?

Look up "broken spell" on Kickstarter.  You'll find the project there that paid for the deck's creation.  From there, you'll find a link to Jisuk Cho's website that has images from all 54 faces - each is a different piece of art based on a folk tale/fairy tale from different cultures.  The page for each card gives a brief version of the story it's based on.


It's a very hard deck to find, as was his previous deck project.  If you ever catch him putting out another deck, pounce on it like your life depended on it!  (But tell me first!)

[NathanCanadas]

how do the broken spell playing cards look like ?

Look up "broken spell" on Kickstarter.  You'll find the project there that paid for the deck's creation.  From there, you'll find a link to Jisuk Cho's website that has images from all 54 faces - each is a different piece of art based on a folk tale/fairy tale from different cultures.  The page for each card gives a brief version of the story it's based on.


It's a very hard deck to find, as was his previous deck project.  If you ever catch him putting out another deck, pounce on it like your life depended on it!  (But tell me first!)

What is so great about them? I purposely decided to pass on them...

[Don Boyer]

how do the broken spell playing cards look like ?

Look up "broken spell" on Kickstarter.  You'll find the project there that paid for the deck's creation.  From there, you'll find a link to Jisuk Cho's website that has images from all 54 faces - each is a different piece of art based on a folk tale/fairy tale from different cultures.  The page for each card gives a brief version of the story it's based on.


It's a very hard deck to find, as was his previous deck project.  If you ever catch him putting out another deck, pounce on it like your life depended on it!  (But tell me first!)

What is so great about them? I purposely decided to pass on them...

They're very nice cards, bro - works of art!  There's probably only a few hundred decks in existence.  I only got mine by inquiring with Jisuk Cho - he told me that he'd just placed one up for auction in a fundraiser to help the Japan tsunami victims.  My deck, if I remember correctly, was somewhere in the ballpark of $40.


And you PASSED on them while in the KICKSTARTER PHASE?  I would give my left testicle to have gotten in on the Kickstarter!

[Frost]

I saw them in his website right now and i liked them, its to bad i missed out on them i didn't now anything about custom cards at the time and i almost didn't get the vortex deck neither good thing Alex made a second sale for them .

[jmrock]

THE Ultimate Brick... 12 Jack Links Jerky WSOP Decks all together in one brick box... hahaha!!! Really I just was getting a kick out of that deck and meant to bid on it, but forgot... I guess someone on here picked it up for the original bid of $7.50 (I happen to think a good score)... Wondering what his top bid was... I would've gone $10 or $11...

[CBJ]

THE Ultimate Brick... 12 Jack Links Jerky WSOP Decks all together in one brick box... hahaha!!! Really I just was getting a kick out of that deck and meant to bid on it, but forgot... I guess someone on here picked it up for the original bid of $7.50 (I happen to think a good score)... Wondering what his top bid was... I would've gone $10 or $11...

OOOHhh Yeahhhh

BEST DECK EVER!

(dripping with sarcasm)

HAHAH

[Dazzleguts]

Very hard to choose, and if I did this again tomorrow it would probably be a different brick. I considered slanting these more towards the cardstry/magic decks, but to be truthful this is it. I would swap the "Bag of Bones" for my Yutaka Kikuchi fanning deck from the 70's, but it is too large to fit in a brick.    
Sun Wukong - Monkey King from China (Puke looks funny but I think it is actually Pu Ke for playing cards)
Early Deland's
Tactics Supranationals - deck printed by Nintendo in 1982
Bag of Bones - one of a series of transformation decks from artist John Littleboy
Blue Artifice 1st edition
DSR Rostock II - Naval Company deck with custom art. Aces feature sea monsters.
Ackermann transformation deck from 1818
Sentinels
Penitentiary deck from The Netherlands
Split Spades 1st edition, any colour
Oldschool Pirate Tattoo by tatoo artist Vitaly Fishilevich
Le Jeu de Marseille - deck created by the surrealists in 1940

[Kanped]

@Dazzleguts that's a really interesting little brick you've got going on.  I know what you mean about it being different if you did it again the next day; I think mine would be, too.

[jmrock]

On a serious note... Very hard to decide... But I posted a Modern & Vintage Ultimate Custom Brick...
Modern:
Playboy Bicycle
Bape Bicycle
Worm Back Bee
USPC Tech Art
D&D Smoke
Bicycle Santa Back
LTD
White Fan Back
Gold Monarch
White Centurian
1984 Olympic Bicycle
OriginalFake Bicycle

Vintage:
USPC 1930s Sportsman Playing Cards
Late 1800s NY Consolidated Squeezers
1920s Prohibition Era Bee
1940-1855 Green Steamboats
1940-1955 Racer Back Ivory Finish (Yes I said Ivory Finish - Ridiculously Rare)
EDIT: 1930s Bicycle Racer Back (No Back of Deck on Box - Just this funky King riding a bicycle)
Late 1800s Steamboats w/ Watermelon Joker
1930s Bicycle Lotus Back
1930s USPC 1st Aviator Brand
1940-1955 New Fan Back
Late 1800s Early 1900s NY Consolidated Squeezers - Triton
1930s USPC Treasury Playing Cards

[Dazzleguts]

@Dazzleguts that's a really interesting little brick you've got going on.  I know what you mean about it being different if you did it again the next day; I think mine would be, too.

Thanks Kanped! The picture turned out pretty bad even though it looked great on my computer. I did it as an attachment. Do you have to have the picture hosted online somewhere before you can place it in the post itself?


@jmrock  Like those Triton cards. Is Triton riding a fish on the joker, or am I thinking of another deck?

[jmrock]

Not sure... They're sealed my friend... The only open decks in the brick are the 1800s Steamboats & 1800s Squeezers...

[xZEROx]

@jmrock

Loving your bricks! Some good rare decks you got there!

[VortexHead]

Really nice bricks everyone, I don't think I could decide on mine but should I make up my mind I'll post a pic or something.

[Evan]

@JMrock, your bricks are really impressive! I like the mix of new decks and vintage decks. The decks that you have are awesome!

[digipunk]

Sun Wukong - Monkey King from China (Puke looks funny but I think it is actually Pu Ke for playing cards)

You have so many strange playing cards

Yes, it is Pu-Ke though stupid...
"Poker" is transliterated to "撲克" in Chinese, and they transliterated "撲克" back to English as "Pu Ke"  

You know the story of Sun Wukong, its Chinese name is "孫悟空". And this name is also used in the comics/anime Dragon Ball, though the pronunciation is changed to "Son Goku" in Japanese.

悟 (wu) means "to realize" and 空 (kong) means "emptiness", so "悟空" has its Buddhism meaning in Chinese.

@JMrock, your bricks are really impressive! I like the mix of new decks and vintage decks. The decks that you have are awesome!

@jmrock, your collection is nothing if without the Bicycle War Series
_

[jmrock]

@Digipunk... When you're right you're right... hahaha!!! I truly hope to be in the position one day!!! 

[xZEROx]

Lol are you really gonna bid on the set? What's your estimate on it?

[Don Boyer]

Vintage:
USPC 1930s Sportsman Playing Cards
Late 1800s NY Consolidated Squeezers
1920s Prohibition Era Bee
1940-1855 Green Steamboats
1940-1955 Racer Back Ivory Finish (Yes I said Ivory Finish - Ridiculously Rare)
Late 1800s Steamboats w/ Watermelon Joker
1930s Bicycle Lotus Back
1930s USPC 1st Aviator Brand
1940-1955 New Fan Back
Late 1800s Early 1900s NY Consolidated Squeezers - Triton
1930s USPC Treasury Playing Cards

That's eleven decks - you left out the Bicycle deck that's between the Ivory Racer Backs and the Steamboats w/Watermelon Joker.  What's that one?

Sun Wukong - Monkey King from China (Puke looks funny but I think it is actually Pu Ke for playing cards)

You have so many strange playing cards

Yes, it is Pu-Ke though stupid...
"Poker" is transliterated to "撲克" in Chinese, and they transliterated "撲克" back to English as "Pu Ke"  

You know the story of Sun Wukong, its Chinese name is "孫悟空". And this name is also used in the comics/anime Dragon Ball, though the pronunciation is changed to "Son Goku" in Japanese.

悟 (wu) means "to realize" and 空 (kong) means "emptiness", so "悟空" has its Buddhism meaning in Chinese.

@JMrock, your bricks are really impressive! I like the mix of new decks and vintage decks. The decks that you have are awesome!

@jmrock, your collection is nothing if without the Bicycle War Series
_

When I heard him refer to the Monkey King, I just knew it had to be Son Goku from "Journey to the West"!  I haven't finished reading it myself, but I have seen a few manga and anime that use the character, as well as others from the story.

[jmrock]

@Don... That's actually a 1930s Bicycle Racer Back... After the 30s the box generally featured a picture of the back of the deck on the box (from what I understand)... The 30s Racer Back had this cool looking King riding a Bicycle on the Box - I love the back of this box... The other side features the Classic Ace of Spades with the title of the deck in the rectangle below (Racer Back)...

[xZEROx]

That's eleven decks - you left out the Bicycle deck that's between the Ivory Racer Backs and the Steamboats w/Watermelon Joker.  What's that one?

I'm gonna take a wild guess. Tax stamp sealed Racer Back.

Edit: Lol nvm, jmrock beat me to it.

[jmrock]

Damn sxjy!!! Who is better than you???  You really know your $#!T...

[xZEROx]

It was just a guess! It really was!

So the war series, are you going to bid?

[jmrock]

@sxjy... No my friend... I already explained my situation to you... I said one day and that day is definitely not now... They're already starting off at an insane number... I considered other decks, but to be honest, I'm really not thrilled with that type of auction... We all send our highest bids to the one guy running the auction... Then with no information or updates or anything, we just trust that he does the right thing - Period... How ridiculous does that sound - And he's bidding too?  C'mon... This isn't my first time around the track... I think what would be great is that if eBay was able to hold a private auction for a club... Bidders would have logons and then I would feel comfortable... even keep it an open auction... But to tell me "Everybody send me your highest possible bids and I'll make sure that whoever wins, I'll pick the lowest price that you'll pay" I'm not getting involved with that... It's unfortunate, because the auction was the reason I joined 52+Joker and had I known, I probably wouldn't have...

[Dazzleguts]

Sun Wukong - Monkey King from China (Puke looks funny but I think it is actually Pu Ke for playing cards)

You have so many strange playing cards

Yes, it is Pu-Ke though stupid...
"Poker" is transliterated to "撲克" in Chinese, and they transliterated "撲克" back to English as "Pu Ke"  

You know the story of Sun Wukong, its Chinese name is "孫悟空". And this name is also used in the comics/anime Dragon Ball, though the pronunciation is changed to "Son Goku" in Japanese.

悟 (wu) means "to realize" and 空 (kong) means "emptiness", so "悟空" has its Buddhism meaning in Chinese.

   Thanks digipunk, I was just guessing at Pu Ke being playing cards because I had seen it on other chinese decks as well.  I did read the story behind the Monkey King - had to know what was going on with the interesting images on the cards. Does that mean Wikipedia has it wrong and Sun Wukong should be Sun Wu Kong as separate words? I am adding your info to my write up for this deck.

[digipunk]

@Sazzleguts, 孫 (Sun, pronounced as "soon" instead of "son") is his surname, and 悟空(wu-kong) is his name. Therefore it is correct to express his full name as "Sun Wukong" or "Sun Wu-Kong" in English.

Pigsy's Chinese name is 豬八戒.
豬 (Zhu) = pig
八 (Ba) = eight
戒 (Jie) = commandment

Sandy's Chinese name is 沙悟淨
沙 (Sha) = sand
悟 (Wu) = to realize
淨 (Jing) = peace and quiet

[DeckOfCards]

@Sazzleguts, 孫 (Sun, pronounced as "soon" instead of "son") is his surname, and 悟空(wu-kong) is his name. Therefore it is correct to express his full name as "Sun Wukong" or "Sun Wu-Kong" in English.

Pigsy's Chinese name is 豬八戒.
豬 (Zhu) = pig
八 (Ba) = eight
戒 (Jie) = commandment

Sandy's Chinese name is 沙悟淨
沙 (Sha) = sand
悟 (Wu) = to realize
淨 (Jing) = peace and quiet

What sorcery have you learnt?   Well I like the whole series pretty much, i still remember my chinese teacher forced the class to read the whole book.

[digipunk]

@DeckOfCards, the "Journey to the West" (Xi You Ji, 西遊記) is one of the 4 classic Chinese stories. It is worth reading but reading the whole novel is too cruel...   (I mean there are so many comics, animations, and live actions)


@Dazzleguts, Chinese characters are "one word, one pronunciation", every single word has its meaning. Chinese names are normally 3 words (some are 2 words or 4 words), the first word is the surname (family name) and the rest is the name.

For example, the designer of Bicycle Garden Cage is called 張笑我, where 張 (Zhang) is his family name, and 笑我 is his name.
笑 (Xiao) = laugh
我 (Wo) = me

Zenneth's Chinese name is 郝赫, where 郝 (Hao) is his family name, and 赫 (He) is his name.
_

[DeckOfCards]

@digipunk I read the whole book(xi you ji). It took a whole full year, considering one chapter a week. Slow right? Cause it's a read along plus after finishing every chapter, we get to watch that chapter on TV.

[xZEROx]

Lol you guys should really just start a thread in the Talk Park and continue your Chinese lessons there. >.<

[digipunk]

Lol you guys should really just start a thread in the Talk Park and continue your Chinese lessons there. >.<

Obviously, we are talking about Dazzleguts' Puke
And you should have corrected me that the pronunciation of Zenneth's surname is Kok (in Cantonese) not Hao (in Mandarin)
.

[dmbaggs]

Yeah a little off topic guys 

I gotta say, it's awesome to see everybody's ultimate brick!! We've got some interesting choices out there! Loving the vintage bricks too

[Dazzleguts]

Much as I love having everyone talk about my Puke , xZEROx and brown_baggs are right. Who is going to puke, I mean post, the next brick?

[dmbaggs]

It's a shame that Alex is so busy with everything, I would love to see his ultimate custom brick!! I'm sure it would be an interesting one for sure

[xZEROx]

And you should have corrected me that the pronunciation of Zenneth's surname is Kok (in Cantonese) not Hao (in Mandarin)

Lol. Wait did I ever mention I speak Cantonese too? o.O
But well you're not wrong, it is pronounced Hao in Chinese.

Anyway, just so that my post isn't completely irrelevant to the topic, I'll put together my brick.
Cause I'm studying abroad, I don't actually have most of these decks with me, so it'll just be a list. Modern/contemporary brick first, I'll think of my vintage brick later.

- Bicycle Garden Black
- Bicycle Garden White
- Bicycle Black Ghost 1st Edition
- Bicycle White Centurion
- Bicycle Blaine prototype Hypnotic deck White/Red
- Bicycle Blaine prototype Hypnotic deck Red/White
- Bicycle Grand Opening
- Bicycle Tall Stacks 1992
- Bicycle Tall Stacks 1995
- Bicycle Pink Cupid Test Deck
- Bicycle Berry Cupid Test Deck
- Bicycle New Fan Back (White)

It was hard to me to select 12 from my collection, several strong candidates that didn't make the list:
- Gold Arcane
- LTD.
- Bicycle 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Set (Red/Blue)
- Bicycle Santa Set (Red/Green)
- Bicycle Pilipinas
- Bicycle BAPE
- D&D S&M V1-3
- MSM Moth/Myth

[Don Boyer]

Nice set of decks there - looking forward to seeing the vintage brick.


Have you opened a pack of Cage Gardens?  I've heard alternating good and bad comments about them.  What would be your assessment?

[xZEROx]

I would have if its value isn't in the hundreds. I too have heard talks of both sides, but I really can't say much even if I opened it. I don't do flourishes or perform magics so I don't have much of a chance to handle my decks. Finishes and stocks really aren't what I'm concerned about when it comes to adding on to my collection, it's more of the designs (and whether it's Bicycle branded).

Sorry I wasn't of much help. Maybe someone else here who has opened a deck would inform us of more useful information.

[phantom1412]

I heard that cage garden handle like crap.
I don't really interested in the decks.

[Dazzleguts]

@xZEROx
Is there something visual about the Blaine Hypnotic deck you really like, or is it a rarity thing?

[xZEROx]

Like CBJ, it's the rarity. Most people could've gotten the Decoder (Black) and Deception (Blue) decks from the DB variety box. However these two aren't available for the market, at least not yet.

[Evan]

Should I make a thread for Your Dream Brick? I think that would be cool to see everyones responses even though they will Jerrys, Black Ghost, and White Cents. 

[dmbaggs]

Should I make a thread for Your Dream Brick? I think that would be cool to see everyones responses even though they will Jerrys, Black Ghost, and White Cents. 

That could be a cool topic but I feel that many of the responses would be the same. I can't see it being to interesting

[Kanped]

I'd have Jerry's but not BGV1 or White Sents.  I guess you need to imagine that the decks are worthless otherwise everyone just lists impossibly expensive ones (if you don't like 'em, sell 'em!)

[moonexe]

Oops, forgot to post mine.
There's a few duplicates but I'd rather have more of my favorites than a lot of different decks I don't like as much.

[phantom1412]

I'd have Jerry's but not BGV1 or White Sents.  I guess you need to imagine that the decks are worthless otherwise everyone just lists impossibly expensive ones (if you don't like 'em, sell 'em!)

White Cen not Sents 

[jmrock]

@Phantom... Everyone knows what he meant... You can be Don's Deputy if you want... hahaha...

[phantom1412]

@Phantom... Everyone knows what he meant... You can be Don's Deputy if you want... hahaha...

I just love this deck a lot and don't wanna see the misspell of this deck. LoL

[Kanped]

I'd have Jerry's but not BGV1 or White Sents.  I guess you need to imagine that the decks are worthless otherwise everyone just lists impossibly expensive ones (if you don't like 'em, sell 'em!)

White Cen not Sents 

Derp.  I was thinking 'Sentinels' instead of 'Centurions'.  Ah well; I wouldn't have either.

[phantom1412]

I'd have Jerry's but not BGV1 or White Sents.  I guess you need to imagine that the decks are worthless otherwise everyone just lists impossibly expensive ones (if you don't like 'em, sell 'em!)

White Cen not Sents 

Derp.  I was thinking 'Sentinels' instead of 'Centurions'.  Ah well; I wouldn't have either.

White Sentinels? I'd love to see that.

[Evan]

I'd have Jerry's but not BGV1 or White Sents.  I guess you need to imagine that the decks are worthless otherwise everyone just lists impossibly expensive ones (if you don't like 'em, sell 'em!)

White Cen not Sents 

Derp.  I was thinking 'Sentinels' instead of 'Centurions'.  Ah well; I wouldn't have either.

White Sentinels? I'd love to see that.

Umm... sentinels are already white... Maybe Black Sentinels would be cool.

[NathanCanadas]

Here is mine. I am aware of the fact that I only have 11 decks, but I'll keep it that way (my sign brick box kinda counts as being 1 deck).
Try to guess (hint, I have no duplicates, and all decks are sealed).
Thx,
Nathan
PS: To make it more difficult I reversed the image.
Hehe

[Linguist_]

From left to right:

Bee RJRTC 1 red, 1 blue
?
?
JAQK Cellars
Black Crown
Bee Stinger
? x2
Smoke and Mirrors v5
Smoke and Mirrors v6

Only easy if you know the answer!

[Aaron]

Left to right:

Bee RJRTC 1 red and 1 blue
?
?
Jaqk Cellars
Black Crown
Bee Stingers Black
1 Red+ 1 Blue/black DB Split SPades Lions
S&M V5
S&M V6

[NathanCanadas]

Left to right:

Bee RJRTC 1 red and 1 blue
?
?
Jaqk Cellars
Black Crown
Bee Stingers Black
1 Red+ 1 Blue/black DB Split SPades Lions
S&M V5
S&M V6

Almost everything so far is correct. The Split Spades Lions' colors are wrong though. I wish I had a red one...

- Bee RJRTC RED
- Bee RJRTC Blue
?
?
- Jack Cellars
- Black Crown
- Black Bee Stingers
- Black Split Spades
- DB deck (guess the color and type) <---- HINT: I got it from the March Deck of the Month Club
- S&M v5
- S&M v6

If you need a hint for the two ??s, just tell me. I have two hints for each.

[john]

Left to right:

Bee RJRTC 1 red and 1 blue
Black Pirate
White Pirate
Jaqk Cellars
Black Crown
Bee Stingers Black
1 Blue and 1 Brown/black?
S&M V5
S&M V6

[NathanCanadas]

Left to right:

Bee RJRTC 1 red and 1 blue
Black Pirate
White Pirate
Jaqk Cellars
Black Crown
Bee Stingers Black
1 Blue and 1 Brown/black?
S&M V5
S&M V6

Yup, you got it.
That's totally right. And its a blue and 1 black Split Spades! I think we should make a thread called the "Mystery Brick" where we have to guess the decks. That would be real fun!

[Kanped]

I think we should make a thread called the "Mystery Brick" where we have to guess the decks. That would be real fun!

That would be a lot of fun, I think.  Go start it!

[zaganh]

yeah the mystery brick idea sounds fun

my dream brick would be

magic con
iaocp
vaudvile
chinatown
tendril
vortex
tungstene
jerrys blue and red
jaqk
v6
white lion

[NathanCanadas]

yeah the mystery brick idea sounds fun

my dream brick would be

magic con
iaocp
vaudvile
chinatown
tendril
vortex
tungstene
jerrys blue and red
jaqk
v6
white lion

Haha your on top of your new decks, I see, with the vaudvile, tendril and vortex decks before you even get to own them
I will do a thread for the mystery brick tomorrow. I am too tired right now. And maybe a dream brick would be nice and see who has the most desired brick!

[zaganh]

yeah the mystery brick idea sounds fun

my dream brick would be

magic con
iaocp
vaudvile
chinatown
tendril
vortex
tungstene
jerrys blue and red
jaqk
v6
white lion

Haha your on top of your new decks, I see, with the vaudvile, tendril and vortex decks before you even get to own them
I will do a thread for the mystery brick tomorrow. I am too tired right now. And maybe a dream brick would be nice and see who has the most desired brick!

i have bricks of all those coming hahai think i have over 80 decks ordred i never owned any jerrys or magic con either but i know il love them from the look haha

[MDCasino]

Heres my dream brick:



I only put 11 because I have a deck of Gold Arcanes in the mail and they would be my number 12.

LTD would be in there if I could afford it.

I also have the vaudaville , mana set , and spectrum decks on the way and those are might be in my top 12 once I evaluate.

btw just recieved a split spades today and dont understand why everyone wants these ... they are so plain and boring. If anyone can fill me in....

[NathanCanadas]

Heres my dream brick:



I only put 11 because I have a deck of Gold Arcanes in the mail and they would be my number 12.

LTD would be in there if I could afford it.

I also have the vaudaville , mana set , and spectrum decks on the way and those are might be in my top 12 once I evaluate.

btw just recieved a split spades today and dont understand why everyone wants these ... they are so plain and boring. If anyone can fill me in....

If you own all of those, wouldn't that be your ultimate brick... Because your dream brick would be the 12 decks you want most.

[Aaron]

Heres my dream brick:



I only put 11 because I have a deck of Gold Arcanes in the mail and they would be my number 12.

LTD would be in there if I could afford it.

I also have the vaudaville , mana set , and spectrum decks on the way and those are might be in my top 12 once I evaluate.

btw just recieved a split spades today and dont understand why everyone wants these ... they are so plain and boring. If anyone can fill me in....

I like the split Spades because of the awesome court cards and the optical illusions all throughout the deck.

[NathanCanadas]

Heres my dream brick:



I only put 11 because I have a deck of Gold Arcanes in the mail and they would be my number 12.

LTD would be in there if I could afford it.

I also have the vaudaville , mana set , and spectrum decks on the way and those are might be in my top 12 once I evaluate.

btw just recieved a split spades today and dont understand why everyone wants these ... they are so plain and boring. If anyone can fill me in....

I like the split Spades because of the awesome court cards and the optical illusions all throughout the deck.

They are also rare. A must have for many collectors.

[Siegismyname]

Heres my dream brick:



I only put 11 because I have a deck of Gold Arcanes in the mail and they would be my number 12.

LTD would be in there if I could afford it.

I also have the vaudaville , mana set , and spectrum decks on the way and those are might be in my top 12 once I evaluate.

btw just recieved a split spades today and dont understand why everyone wants these ... they are so plain and boring. If anyone can fill me in....

cannot see any pic
Split spades lions are one the most amazing decks. IMHO David Blaine decks are of superior quality (not like some, not all, companies that claim that their decks are of unparalleled quality). the split spades lions also look great, be it the ace of spades, court cards are the jokers.

[Don Boyer]

btw just recieved a split spades today and dont understand why everyone wants these ... they are so plain and boring. If anyone can fill me in....

I like the split Spades because of the awesome court cards and the optical illusions all throughout the deck.

They are also rare. A must have for many collectors.

Nathan, every Merz67 deck is rare and I don't see people here searching the ends of the earth to find them.  Rarity alone is not a good reason to get a deck.  It has to have other qualities to it to make it truly collectible.  Perhaps in a hundred years, when few such decks exist, it will become rare AND collectible, just out of the sheer fact that so few exist, like the Honus Wagner card.  But I don't expect either you or me to be around to see that.

Having said that, the Split Spades Lions are a great deck.  Quality stock, long lasting finish, very nice artwork.  The name-brand recognition of David Blaine doesn't hurt.  I'm not sure what was used, but I'd say the stock was  likely Aristocrat, just based on the way it handles.  I was using the blue stripper deck just last night - it's one of my go-to decks that I carry all the time.

[saurabh]

Nathan, every Merz67 deck is rare and I don't see people here searching the ends of the earth to find them.  Rarity alone is not a good reason to get a deck.  It has to have other qualities to it to make it truly collectible.  Perhaps in a hundred years, when few such decks exist, it will become rare AND collectible, just out of the sheer fact that so few exist, like the Honus Wagner card.  But I don't expect either you or me to be around to see t
Having said that, the Split Spades Lions are a great deck.  Quality stock, long lasting finish, very nice artwork.  The name-brand recognition of David Blaine doesn't hurt.  I'm not sure what was used, but I'd say the stock was  likely Aristocrat, just based on the way it handles.  I was using the blue stripper deck just last night - it's one of my go-to decks that I carry all the time.

Blue Stripper? Did you make one for yourself?

Split Spades lions were made on the on a slightly modified if not exactly old Tally Ho stock with a really good varnish. It doesn't seem to wear off. Very well made pack imo.

[Don Boyer]

Nathan, every Merz67 deck is rare and I don't see people here searching the ends of the earth to find them.  Rarity alone is not a good reason to get a deck.  It has to have other qualities to it to make it truly collectible.  Perhaps in a hundred years, when few such decks exist, it will become rare AND collectible, just out of the sheer fact that so few exist, like the Honus Wagner card.  But I don't expect either you or me to be around to see t
Having said that, the Split Spades Lions are a great deck.  Quality stock, long lasting finish, very nice artwork.  The name-brand recognition of David Blaine doesn't hurt.  I'm not sure what was used, but I'd say the stock was  likely Aristocrat, just based on the way it handles.  I was using the blue stripper deck just last night - it's one of my go-to decks that I carry all the time.

Blue Stripper? Did you make one for yourself?

Split Spades lions were made on the on a slightly modified if not exactly old Tally Ho stock with a really good varnish. It doesn't seem to wear off. Very well made pack imo.

Blaine teamed with USPC to create a series of magic decks branded Bicycle Split Spades.  The base design was that of the Split Spades Lions.  The blue deck was a stripper deck, the red deck was a Svengali deck and the black one was a marked deck - fairly good and inexpensive, probably the cheapest decent-quality marked deck on the market.  They're out of print now and the prices are slowly going up, but they're still available in many shops and on eBay.


Another cool product was the Split Spades Lions 2-deck set that Blaine produced.  High quality box with a standard red and blue deck, but packaged with a black envelope containing some gaffs in the same deck designs.  This envelope was also offered as part of the DB Variety Box.


And somewhere out there, I saw a signed black SSL joker with a gaffed back that looked like a vertical card spread.  It's one of the few Blaine cards I don't have.

Nearly forgot: Tally Ho stock is no longer available since the move to Kentucky, possibly earlier.  They use a modified Aristocrat stock instead.

[saurabh]

Oh... You're taking about the bicycle series. They are made on standard bicycle stock. The finish is standard. Nothing too thrilling.
The ones of superior quality are the lions.

[dmbaggs]

Alrighty guys, let's try not to get too off topic  Anybody else have their custom brick to share?

[Don Boyer]

Oh... You're taking about the bicycle series. They are made on standard bicycle stock. The finish is standard. Nothing too thrilling.
The ones of superior quality are the lions.

Actually, no.  The SS Lions and Bicycle SS are made on the same paper with the same finish.

ALL finishes that aren't Magic Finish are standard finish - marketing just gives them different names.

Bicycle stock and Aristocrat stock cost exactly the same when ordering decks made, so there would be no reason to change the stock if either one or the other was used to make the original SS Lions.

You don't have to take my word for it - ask for a price quote from the USPC Custom Department.

And back to the topic...

I think I'm going to try and assemble a "mystery brick" with some clever photography combined with simple cut-n-paste and see if people here can identify all the decks in it.  Could be fun!  I have quite a few oddball decks that would make it a challenge - but I will leave out "tourist trap" decks, since those would be too obscure to anyone who didn't go there.  If I throw in advertising decks, they'll be for respectably-sized companies that either are nationally-known or were when the deck was made.