With Xmas behind us and keeping in the tradition of "Its better to give then receive", what was the best present you GAVE this year?

Mine was a Wacom tablet for my 15 year old daughter, she is very into art and creativity and she didn't expect it at all. So much so she didn't even put it on her list because "There is no way I'm getting this", the look on her face and the time I spent with her Xmas day showing her everything it could do was priceless.

Has anyone ever considered adding a Chat Client to the site? Would be very cool 

I really like this little Holiday "Perk" from T11, you can get something for nothing and a chance at some pretty cool prizes WITHOUT having to make a purchase. Any lucky members out there? Post your progress, prizes and stories. (Link to the Wheel: http://www.theory11.com/holiday/contest)

My progress:
Spin 1-500 pts
Spin 2-50 pts
Spin 3-500 pts
Spin 4-Free Spin / Spin 4B-No reward
Spin 5-250 pts
Spin 6-50 pts
Spin 7-No Reward
Spin 8-500 pts
Spin 9-50 pts
Spin 10-No Reward
Spin 11-50 pts
Spin 12-50 pts
Spin 13-50 pts
Spin 14-50 pts
Spin 15-100 pts
Spin 16-50 pts
Spin 17-100 pts
Spin 18-No Reward
Spin 19-Free Spin / Spin 19B 50pts
Spin 20-Free Spin / Spin 20B 50pts
Spin 21-50 pts
Spin 22-100 pts
Spin 23-No Reward
Spin 24-50 pts
Spin 25-No Reward

So I grew up in the 70's and the 1st magician I can remember was Marshall Brodien because he was always selling his magic kits and cards on WGN, he was also Wizzo on the Bozo show....ye I know this is completely foreign to many of you, lol. In my early teens there was Doug Henning & Harry Blackstone Jr. there weren't many "Mainstream" magicians I can remember. It seems as time went by that scarcity didn't change much, the only magicians I can remember were David Copperfield, Sigfried & Roy, The Amazing Randi and The Amazing Jonathan for some odd reason. I also remember, and correct me if I'm wrong, Harry Anderson used to perform a comedic magic routine for a while in the 80's.

Moving into the last few decades the only magicians I would put in that category would be Pen & Teller, David Blaine and Chris Angel and unfortunately that hooded magician from "Magic Revealed". It seems, from an outsider looking in perspective, that magic is a lost art, but one of the pleasant surprises I found when I stumbled into collecting playing cards is that it actually seems like there is a pretty healthy community of magic and magicians...they just don't all have TV specials and shows in Vegas.

So what I was wondering from magicians on the board as well as everyone else, who are the unsung Magicians, who are your favorites. Whether it be a specific effect or just an all around fantastic illusionist.

So over the last few weeks I've noticed that members are not always getting my PM responses, and the other day, for the second time, a response I sent just vanished. It was there after I sent it, but when I went back the next day it was gone.

Any idea?

So I'm a big believer in displaying my collection, having a collection stored in a drawer makes me crazy. Now I know it's sometimes unavoidable and you do what you can, but I was looking for a way to display a single deck like on my desk or shelf as a showpiece of sorts and came up with this.

Now it's not the end all be all, but I think it works for it's intended use. When looking over this keep in mind this is a general 1st attempt and you can obviously alter the process to make it better or your way.

1. Materials

I used a simple 4x6 bent acrylic frame, you can get these at Walmart for about a $1.50 if not less. The pegs are shelf pegs, a bunch to choose from at any hardware store, go with what you think will work/look best for you. **Keep in mind the width of the deck.


2. Process

Use the paper insert that comes with the frame as a template for your deck and measurements. Find the perfect height and then with a 4x6 frame the location for the pegs is 1" in from each side.




I used clear packing tape to wrap around the acrylic to keep the plastic from cracking and shattering when drilling the holes

**When drilling the holes apply minimal pressure, you can basicaly let the weight of the drill do the work, if you push down YOU WILL shatter the acrylic. This will take a minute or so even though this is plastic...but its worth not ruining the frame.

3. Assembly
Last step, take your pegs and hot glue them in place. I used Hot Glue, you can use whatever you like.


4. Finished product
Again, something simple and inexpensive, but I think it looks decent. A couple pluses to this, one, you can always slide something into the frame as a background. Two, you can always spray paint the whole thing to give it a cleaner look. (I may give this a try in Black...If you do go this route make sure to let the paint completely dry)


Let me know what you think and more than happy to answer any question.

This is a community so if you have any suggestions by all means add them to the thread 

So I purchased the Lock, Stock & Riot by Peter McKinnon DVD to get a White LTD, if someone is interested in the DVD I would be willing to trade it for 3 Purple LTD's or $20.00 Shipped Standard Mail anywhere in the US.

Each party pays there own shipping for the trade. Either option saves you a little cash.

If your international and interested please send me a PM to discuss.

Thanks

So I was updating some picks on my site and noticed on the flap of the tuck box of my Monarchs the words "Cerca Trova", translated means, "Look Find"....
Any story behind the inclusion of these particular words on the tuck?

What's your favorite bargain priced deck, not the best deck you got for a song, but an inexpensive deck that just wowed you in some way.

I recently picked up a couple Massa decks for $2.00 a pop and I love them. Nice back design, clean tuck box and I like the deeper red used on the courts and pips. While I'm no professional I can get some really nice fans with it too 

I'm nowhere near the point in collecting yet to consider buying a brick of anything. But I was just wondering the reasons some of you buy bricks? I would assume if your a professional, it's to have fresh cards, do some of you pick up bricks as investments to flip later? Or do you just have way to much money on your hands

I know the majority of the members here collect modern decks and there are only a few "Vintage" collectors, but I was wondering if anyone collected individual/single cards? I would assume the back designs, or the AoS and Jokers would be a bit of a draw. I've seen some on eBay for a $1 or 2 with some very cool designs.

I guess their also called "Swap" cards? If I'm confusing two things please let me know. I need to add to my collecting list like I need a hole in my head, but I do head out to antique malls once a month or so, so I was just wondering if there were any "Educated" members on the topic.

Unlike many now a days, I actually still like reading books. I've come across a few on Playing Card Collecting but was wondering if anyone had a favorite or any recommendations.

The ones I've found, please chime in on what you think of them if you've owned or know anything about them:

• Collecting Playing Cards, Identification and Value Guide by Mark Pickvet
• The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards / Suppliment by Tom Dawson
• Collectible Playing Cards by  Frederique Crestin-Billet