Battle 27: Ultimate Deck vs. Anne Stokes/Alchemy

[Don Boyer]

Simple, straightforward choice between art decks: the Ultimate Deck, claimed by Dan and Dave to be the most expensive deck ever produced, created by a range of artists for the design firm Stranger & Stranger, or four decks by the same artist, Anne Stokes, that retail for about the same price total: Bicycle Anne Stokes, Bicycle Anne Stokes Dark Hearts & Bicycle Alchemy 1977 England versions one and two.

(The one most challenging aspect of this particular battle: just how many of you actually own the most expensive deck ever produced?  )

Voters who comment on their choice are entered in a random drawing for forum swag - see this topic for the rules.

[Utterfool]

Going to go with Stranger and Stranger Ultimate deck.
Though I am not sure if it is truly "Ultimate" I enjoy the transformation decks. I feel that an uncut sheet of these on the wall would look sophisticated and fit in with a mature art coillection
Where as an uncut of the Stokes or alchemy would fit right in on the wall of a Gothy teen girl, right next to her Edward Cullen posters.

[Don Boyer]

Going to go with Stranger and Stranger Ultimate deck.
Though I am not sure if it is truly "Ultimate" I enjoy the transformation decks. I feel that an uncut sheet of these on the wall would look sophisticated and fit in with a mature art coillection
Where as an uncut of the Stokes or alchemy would fit right in on the wall of a Gothy teen girl, right next to her Edward Cullen posters.

Har de har har... 

I happened to hang with a gothic crowd when I was a DJ in South Florida at a public alt-rock radio station.  I lived in the greater Fort Lauderdale area for nearly two years and only went to the beach twice - fully clothed both times!  We were a pretty pale-skinned bunch most of the time!  In fact, tonight I was wearing my "Squeeze - legendary danceteria" t-shirt to work, though my heart really lay in the former "Reunion Room" club-within-a-club at Confetti.

I vote Stokes/Alchemy.  I have serious issues with the irregular design on the Ultimate deck - the art may be gorgeous, but as a deck of cards it's nigh-useless with its into-the-bleed printing of assorted designs and indices that change with the artists' whims.  Perhaps that's what should be hanging on the wall next to Edward Cullen!  Say what you want about the Stokes artwork on all four decks, but you can identify them as decks and they're useful as decks - obvious one-way backs not withstanding.  To me, the adage "too many cooks spoil the broth" applies to the Ultimate Deck.  Which is probably one reason why it looks perfect for ironic hipsters... 

[Soliloquy]

Neither deck appeals to me.  Can I vote none of the above?

[Don Boyer]

Neither deck appeals to me.  Can I vote none of the above?

Consider that your vote! 

[MrMollusk]

In terms of pure design elements, both are fantastic. But I like a lot more of the artwork in the Stranger & Stranger deck. I'm also a sucker for ambigram backs.

[BastianBJ]

I would vote for The Ultimate Deck, simply because I like the artwork more... I'm really into art and design, but the art of the Alchemy doesn't really appeal to me, unfortunately..

[Nurul]

I vote Anne stokes. Both products r amazing in terms of artwork, but I don't own stranger deck lol. Also, the price is a little hefty compared to the Anne stokes collection.

[Don Boyer]

It's pretty clear that even with four-against-one odds, the Ultimate Deck is the winner.

Comment winner is...Utterfool!

New contest coming...now!  Fulton's Chinatown red/yellow vs. Bicycle Dragon Back red/blue/gold