Bicycle/Ellusionist & other dark playing card decks

Rhinemaiden

I picked up a used deck of Bicycle Rider Back cards (circa 2003 from dates on the promo cards in the box) at a flea market today... air cushion finish. While there isn't anything truly unique about this deck, what impressed me was the overall quality. This deck had been used, but the cards were still in great shape, they didn't stick together, weren't warped or bent, they shuffle/fan beautifully. United States Playing Card Company cards are worth buying and keeping... great card stock, superior finish.

Just for fun, I compared Queen of Hearts cards from several decks (from various companies) and was amazed at the subtle differences in colors and overall art. Who knew one could have so much fun with -- what I previously considered ordinary -- playing cards? :)

Does anyone have both the Black Ghost and Shadow Masters decks? Are there enough differences to warrant owning both decks?
 

paulrosk

I have over 375 decks of Bicycle cards. I have the Black Ghost, Shadow Masters, Black Tiger, Alchemist X, Rider, too many to mention. They are ALL top quality cards and all different. USPCC makes cards that last forever! Check out the Karnival collection, Black Spider, and Black Scorpion decks! The Arcane decks are really cool also! You can see some of my collection here:


http://www.youtube.com/user/paulrosk?feature=mhum
 

Rhinemaiden

Received my Black Ghost (second edition) deck... again, the wonderful to hold air cushion card stock, and the deck itself is a nice addition to a growing collection of Bicycle decks. :thumbsup:
 

paulrosk

Careful

Careful with that Bicycle addiction! You'll end up like me, working, eating, and sleeping surrounded by cards!
 

Rhinemaiden

paulrosk said:
Careful with that Bicycle addiction! You'll end up like me, working, eating, and sleeping surrounded by cards!
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OMG, card lovers!!! and Bicycle card lovers in particular!!! Check out this deck:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...86575&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1988wt_1139

I saw, I swooned, I bought! I can't think of a deck that brought back childhood memories of collecting "trading cards" (odd cards from playing card decks) more than this deck. I may camp out at the Post Office until it arrives! :D

PS Paul... do you ever have dreams of being smothered by falling cards? LOL You have a great site...well done! :thumbsup:
 

Rhinemaiden

paulrosk said:
I've got that deck, but even cooler is the 4 color back deck, check that one out!
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I did look at that one... the 4 color back; and this one (tie-dye)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Bicycle-Ti...ultDomain_0&hash=item518dbeaae9#ht_584wt_1139

and this one: (the new 4 color back)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-New-4-Colo...ultDomain_0&hash=item1c0a8d070f#ht_500wt_1156

but it was the one I bought that really grabbed me... I want to study all the different backs, look at the art... :)
 

paulrosk

Oh yeah, the Rainbow deck goes WAY BACK! You have Rider backs, Shell Backs, Fan backs, Tally-Ho backs, all kinds, all colors! One of my favorite backs is the Witch under the Full Moon with her cat!
 

Rhinemaiden

paulrosk said:
Oh yeah, the Rainbow deck goes WAY BACK! You have Rider backs, Shell Backs, Fan backs, Tally-Ho backs, all kinds, all colors! One of my favorite backs is the Witch under the Full Moon with her cat!
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That's why I bought it! :D BTW... the witch with cat is the back from the Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Playing cards put out by USPCC eons ago... I've owned that deck for a long time.

http://www.playingcardsandmore.com/gypsywitch.aspx

do tell... of the 375+ Bicycle decks you own, what are your TOP FIVE favorites? :?:
 

paulrosk

Here's just some of my collection:

http://www.youtube.com/user/paulrosk?feature=mhee

I have way more than 5 favorites, but if I HAD to pick 5:

1. Shadow Masters
2. Alchemist X
3. Black Tiger
4. Black Ghost
5. Black Raider

I guess you can see I LOVE black decks!
 
Vievil(le) Playing Cards by Heron Playing cards!