"ARABESQUE" by OathPlayingCards

[Bradius]

Okay, after nearly going blind looking at Arabesque decks card by dang card. I did find 3 with what might be considered not-so-great registration. I think this is like what might be a whole millimeter shift to the left. To say Lotrek has raised the standard on foiling just goes without question. So, here is a big magnification of my photo. You can also see the small flaking that is just impossible to prevent. And keep in mind that flaking is really small as that image has been blown up a lot. Edit: You can also note the silver foil is just about dead-on perfect alignment.

Arabesque Back Registration Issue1.JPG (74.91 KiB) Viewed 3237 times

I can't compare registration, but I can show some comparison of the foiling issues with a USPCC MetalLux deck. Here is a good version.

MetalLux-Good.JPG (64.61 KiB) Viewed 3237 times

Below shows the same area on another card in the deck. Notice how much of the foil bleeds over into the white back.

MetalLux - Not Great.JPG (45.41 KiB) Viewed 3237 times

Edit: Merlebird, you are right. For some reason I was leaving off one of the Arabesque Silver's in my costing. It is probably an unconscious effort on my part not to cry too much.

[Merlebird]

For some reason I was leaving off one of the Arabesque Silver's in my costing. It is probably an unconscious effort on my part not to cry too much.

[portcullis]

Lotrek, I got my Arabesque yesterday defect-free. You've excelled yourself, my Greek friend! I messaged you earlier on Kickstarter, but I'll just CYA and leave you a message here too: when are you shipping the Ambassador Signature Ed.? You sent me a message back in April, asking me to let you know when I received them, but I'm still yet to see them?

To the forum: is this a general thing or is it just me being an unlucky Australian?

[Bradius]

Portcullis, to the best of my knowledge, the Ambassador Signature decks have not shipped yet. The last information on them was a May 31 post from Lotrek that he was still waiting for the Ambassador decks to arrive so he could put them in the signature tucks and ship them out. Keep in mind he was also out for a few days in Italy, plus he is working on a few projects. I am sure they will be shipped before too long.

Then it will be up to the postal service. [MURRAY]

[shermjack]

We were just at 19,999 with 360 backers and 5 hours to go, so I had to add an extra dollar to bring us to the 20K mark. Still hoping it goes even higher.

[sinjin7]

TwoPiece, you are correct. Exquisite Bold was the first to hot stamp every card. It was a gold foil star on the back. Frankly, this even better shows how far foiling has come on playing cards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47R4k_tRcWs

Thanks for the correction.

The Exquisite Bold actually was, in fact, the absolute very first deck of playing cards to ever use hot-stamped foiling on a deck . . that was made by the EPCC. Come on, guys, don't buy into the hype from EPCC. The truth is that foiling on playing cards have been done for decades. I used to have a deck that my power company passed out in a promotion that had silver foiled sparks around their company logo around 2004. It was bridge sized, handled like sandpaper, and didn't even last an hour of poker, but it was a deck of playing cards that were foiled. I believe Jackson (when he still used to come on to UC) even posted a picture of a couple of decks he had in his collection from the 1980's that were hot foil stamped.

But yes, foiling has come a long way, and if Lotrek can figure out how to foil his decks and have them handle like a MetalLuxe deck, I probably wouldn't buy any other decks.

[badpete69]

But yes, foiling has come a long way, and if Lotrek can figure out how to foil his decks and have them handle like a MetalLuxe deck, I probably wouldn't buy any other decks.

You know he will accept the challenge... Look for the launch in September of the new LotrekLuxe ultra foil deck

[Cardians]

You know he will accept the challenge... Look for the launch in September of the new LotrekLuxe ultra foil deck

Haha that's funny, because he most likely will do..!

[theCapraAegagrus]

TwoPiece, you are correct. Exquisite Bold was the first to hot stamp every card. It was a gold foil star on the back. Frankly, this even better shows how far foiling has come on playing cards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47R4k_tRcWs

Thanks for the correction.

The Exquisite Bold actually was, in fact, the absolute very first deck of playing cards to ever use hot-stamped foiling on a deck . . that was made by the EPCC. Come on, guys, don't buy into the hype from EPCC. The truth is that foiling on playing cards have been done for decades. I used to have a deck that my power company passed out in a promotion that had silver foiled sparks around their company logo around 2004. It was bridge sized, handled like sandpaper, and didn't even last an hour of poker, but it was a deck of playing cards that were foiled. I believe Jackson (when he still used to come on to UC) even posted a picture of a couple of decks he had in his collection from the 1980's that were hot foil stamped.

But yes, foiling has come a long way, and if Lotrek can figure out how to foil his decks and have them handle like a MetalLuxe deck, I probably wouldn't buy any other decks.

Well, yes, playing cards have been foiled for decades. I also have the decks that JR posted, that were foiled and gilded, in the 1980's by USPCC. We are speaking specifically to the modern process that EPCC was definitely the first to do, though.

[Bikefanatic]

I nice little package came in from Greece today (same day as I also received a Golden Oath deck as well). My photo is missing one more error deck that was not with me at the time to take the group shot (there is always one in the group that just has to do things differently). Still, it made for a nice shot. I did go through one deck - 52 fingers and toes. The registration was even better than the error deck. The foiling and printing is just amazing.

ArabesqueDecksGrp1.jpg

So what you're going to do with all those decks?

[Bradius]

I guess I am going to admire them for now. I don’t think any friends or family would appreciate them appropriately. I sure will not use them for poker or games. I guess I am tired of buying on the aftermarket. Heck, wait until you see my Ambassador set and my House of the Rising Spade set. Again, I hope I cool off a bit and just go back to one or two of each.

Edit: I do think I plan to get four six-deck carat cases to put four complete sets together (Arabesque, Arabesque Silver, Arabesque Error, Arabesque Blue Players, Arabesque Red Players and Arabesque Silver Players). It will make for nice sets as a group. Need to add that to my order with shermjack. I am kind of dreaming about getting the Arabesque Decks gilded in gold and the Arabesque Silver decks gilded in silver. That would just finish them off nicely.

[Adonael]

I received mine today, I cannot believe these cards. I don't know what exactly causes it, the smooth stock, the contrast with the foils, the super smooth ink and colour choices, these don't look printed, the courts look almost as if they're made of enamel inlays not ink! I've never seen anything like it, it's simply amazing, why can't my expectations ever reach the heights of the actual product? You can't keep this up Lotrek! lol

[Bradius]

I have finally inspected all my Arabesque decks. All the decks were complete. I could only find three cards with not-so-great registration out of like 600 cards. That is an impressive result. Lotrek, your achievement with this deck is nothing short of amazing. When you said it was/will be your best work, that was not idle talk - it was the truth.

[Bikefanatic]

I guess I am going to admire them for now. I don’t think any friends or family would appreciate them appropriately. I sure will not use them for poker or games. I guess I am tired of buying on the aftermarket. Heck, wait until you see my Ambassador set and my House of the Rising Spade set. Again, I hope I cool off a bit and just go back to one or two of each.

Edit: I do think I plan to get four six-deck carat cases to put four complete sets together (Arabesque, Arabesque Silver, Arabesque Error, Arabesque Blue Players, Arabesque Red Players and Arabesque Silver Players). It will make for nice sets as a group. Need to add that to my order with shermjack. I am kind of dreaming about getting the Arabesque Decks gilded in gold and the Arabesque Silver decks gilded in silver. That would just finish them off nicely.

Oh...I know that there was no limit on the amount that you can get though they were limited 150 each. I'm sure the collectors who couldn't buy them due to the time and availability would appreciate and play with them.

[sinjin7]

I think what can be even more amazing than the Arabesque Collector's Edition deck is if the Arabesque Players Edition is delivered to all backers on time before the end of August with cards that actually handle close to a USPCC deck. This would floor me harder than the Collector's Edition did.

[Eric Lee]

I just got mine yesterday, had my eyes dazzled going through the deck, almost missing all the fine intricate details due to the glitter, with my jaw open the whole time since unwrapping the deck. It is Lotrek's finest work to date and most probably the winner of 2018 Deck of the Year. (unless he manages to release the Lotrekluxe ultra foil edition that's perfect for collectors, magicians and cardistry alike by year end) Now I can't wait for the Player's editions.

I wish those of us in the Asia Pacific region would have had the chance to get the other variants. (though my bank account is very grateful I didn't) Lotrek, Mike, if you're reading this, I have this suggestion. For future limited releases, they are released in 2 batches, one in the AM and one in the PM. (8am EDT, 8pm EDT same day or the next) At least it allows both halves of the world a better chance to get them without 1 half staying/waking up in the middle of the night. Whaddya think?

[Lotrek]

I have this suggestion. For future limited releases, they are released in 2 batches, one in the AM and one in the PM. (8am EDT, 8pm EDT same day or the next) At least it allows both halves of the world a better chance to get them without 1 half staying/waking up in the middle of the night. Whaddya think?

Definitely this is the plan. Next time the sale will be divided to 2 different timezones, to make sure that when Asia is invited for lunch, our US friends are in their beds, snorring! We, Europeans are fine with both options.

I'm very happy to see many people agreeing that when I said "probably my finest work to date" I wasn't trying to create hype.

The next "MYSTERY DECK" will be revealed during 52plus Joker Convention

[portcullis]

I gotta say this pleases me. As much as I love your work Lotrek, it's not worth waking up at 3 or 4am on a midwinter morning.

[Mike Ratledge]

No matter what you do you can't please everyone. Maybe having the non-US sale first? I don't know, that would probably end up being a reverse issue with everything here in the states up at 3-4 in the morning.

[vasta41]

The next "MYSTERY DECK" will be revealed during 52plus Joker Convention

SPEAKING OF WHICH! Anyone going to this that would be so kind as to keep an eye out for cool decks, please PM me!

[Bradius]

Middle of the night release works okay for me. I remember setting my alarm so I could make a midnight order for a set of Alex Chen's 2017 National Playing Card Collection Day cards. A collector has to do what he has to do sometimes. Getting up in the middle of the night isn't so bad for me. In the meantime, I am still practicing my typing skills. I have a feeling any limited releases by Lotrek are going to sell quickly, or I would be unwise to assume they wouldn't sell out really fast.

SPEAKING OF WHICH! Anyone going to this that would be so kind as to keep an eye out for cool decks, please PM me!

+1

[Mike Ratledge]

SPEAKING OF WHICH! Anyone going to this that would be so kind as to keep an eye out for cool decks, please PM me!

+1

I should be there...

[portcullis]

No matter what you do you can't please everyone. Maybe having the non-US sale first? I don't know, that would probably end up being a reverse issue with everything here in the states up at 3-4 in the morning.

All I'm saying is, right now: 9am for our beloved patriarch is the middle of the afternoon here. [4pm/2am edt]

[caramelo]

It arrive!!!!

IS GOOOORGEOUS!

Top 5 of the decks that I own.

It was worth waiting for, and I'm already waiting for the next one.

Congratulations Lotrek.

[JuFiN]

I didn't have the funds to justify buying this deck when it was released, but if anyone has an extra and would be willing to trade I have Golden Oath #105 sitting on a plastic case I'm willing to part with .

[Bikefanatic]

I'll say these are Lotrek's best tucks by far but as for the cards, Golden Oath is still #1.
The silver backs look shinier than the gold.

[portcullis]

The next "MYSTERY DECK" will be revealed during 52plus Joker Convention

I've got a friend planning to go ex parte so I will be there in spirit. Really hoping to get my grubby little hands on this new mystery deck from the beginning.

[Lotrek]

So that you know, on Monday I'm beginning printing of ARABESQUE player's edition! I'll post pics here and on KS.

[Adonael]

I'll say these are Lotrek's best tucks by far but as for the cards, Golden Oath is still #1.

The Golden Oath cards, while a tremendous technical achievement, aren't even in my top 5 of Lotrek's work lol, to each their own. Looking forward to the player's editions of Arabesque, I must have temporarily lost my marbles as I went for the silver player's as well, I usually just get one, whichever colour the collector's wasn't, and honestly I can't wrap my head around the description of the silver player's edition so it's going to be a mystery until we see some production pics.

[theOutsider]

The Golden Oath cards, while a tremendous technical achievement, aren't even in my top 5 of Lotrek's work lol, to each their own. Looking forward to the player's editions of Arabesque, I must have temporarily lost my marbles as I went for the silver player's as well, I usually just get one, whichever colour the collector's wasn't, and honestly I can't wrap my head around the description of the silver player's edition so it's going to be a mystery until we see some production pics.

It sounds like the Silver Player's Edition is just the Blue Player's Edition with silver ink replacing the gold (including a double-backer and a different tuck).