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Almost 2 weeks ago now, the US Postal Service released 'The Art of Magic' collector stamp set, and with it, an exclusive 'The Art of Magic Kit' that includes a strip of 5 stamps each featuring the different designs of the series, an illustrated magician's guide with 5 classic card trics created by Mac King, a trick box, and a deck of custom cards designed by Jay Fletcher.



Here's a pic of a sheet of stamps featuring the 5 'TheARt of Magic' designs:



Each stamp features a category of magic; Production, Prediction, Levitation, Vanishing and Transformation. For those interested, there are some great posters of the stamp artwork also available.

Here are some more pics of the tuck case & cards as pulled from the designer's IG: I'd do it myself if I could but can a mod please edit this post to have the images shown instantly - please & thank you in advance

The 'Art of Magic' deck is only available with the kit through the USPS site here.

Well these are very gimmicky. Having said that I really like them. Shame they won't sell the deck separately and no mention of printer (would be a disgrace if it's not USPCC but judging by the tuck pic it appears not)? Also very silly that shipping is not free... $1.25? Stupid. So I will wait to see if printer information is released before buying. In the off-chance there are USPCC I will probably get them. Otherwise, if they're gift shop quality, I'm all set.

It's too bad that this comes out almost a year after I switched companies. The engineer I was understudying before is a stamp collector, and he was always interested in the new decks I was getting. This would've been a cool retirement gift for him to remember me by.

The courts remind me of the Union deck courts by Theory 11. I hope I can find one of these Art of Magic decks at some point without having to buy the whole set.

Pablo393 wrote:The courts remind me of the Union deck courts by Theory 11.

probably because they were both designed by the same designer, Jay Fletcher lol

That is funny. I like it when I know something without knowing I know it. Thanks for confirming.

Pablo393 wrote:That is funny. I like it when I know something without knowing I know it. Thanks for confirming.

Yea, his style is pretty recognizable; he also did the SNL, NPH & Rarebit decks for Theory11 and the Howler Brothers deck - probably a few others I'm forgetting, but those are the ones that immediately come to mind

Found this pic on reddit.

PrincessTrouble wrote:Found this pic on reddit.

I really like this. Very simple, but nice.

The tuck is just boring, though.

PrincessTrouble wrote:Found this pic on reddit.

Definitely not USPCC. It baffles me that the USPS didn't go to the USPCC with this. Either way I lost all interest in this since it looks like it will have the all-around quality of a gift shop deck.

They are 100% printed by USPCC.

Reylek wrote:They are 100% printed by USPCC.

How are you sure? There is absolutely no mention of it anywhere on the website and even more curious, no mention of it on the tuck which is extremely rare. In fact I can't think of another USPCC deck that doesn't have "Manufactured and distributed by the United States Playing Card Company" printed on it.

vasta41 wrote:Definitely not USPCC. It baffles me that the USPS didn't go to the USPCC with this. Either way I lost all interest in this since it looks like it will have the all-around quality of a gift shop deck.

I am curious what you see in the picture that makes you think it is not USPCC?

flyers3003 wrote:

vasta41 wrote:Definitely not USPCC. It baffles me that the USPS didn't go to the USPCC with this. Either way I lost all interest in this since it looks like it will have the all-around quality of a gift shop deck.

I am curious what you see in the picture that makes you think it is not USPCC?

Please see my comment above.

So the only picture I can see fully of the tuck box is a render (the pic from IG). I suspect there is probably printing on the bottom of the tuck that is not shown in the render, and can't be discerned from the other image. They do say on the website "Made in the USA", but that does not guarantee USPCC.

The picture Princess posted from Reddit shows a tuck box that has the bottom flap that's glued, which is a USPCC characteristic. A lot of other manufacturers merely tuck the bottom flap into the box, making it harder to insert the cards back into the deck. The cards also appear to have an Air Cushion finish. Plus, I think Kevin knows what he's talking about.

While both of you make good points it's still all speculation as far as I'm concerned. And why have a render if it's not going to *render* what the tuck will look like?

EDIT: On a side note I just realized Mac King (may have?) had something to do with the creation of this deck and I LOVED watching him as a child on TV. If I can be convinced these are USPCC then I think I'll have to be in on these.

vasta41 wrote:And why have a render if it's not going to *render* what the tuck will look like?

You do back KS projects don't you? Seriously though, I have seen so many projects that render one thing and deliver something very different.

flyers3003 wrote:

vasta41 wrote:And why have a render if it's not going to *render* what the tuck will look like?

You do back KS projects don't you? Seriously though, I have seen so many projects that render one thing and deliver something very different.

While that may be the case I try to ignore such malarkey

When I first saw Jay posting shots of the tuck flat on IG, I recognized the tuck template right away. On the 50+ deck projects I've worked on over the past decade (I've lost count, lol) I've become quite familiar with that template.

I suspected it was USPCC, but also didn't like the lack of specificity in the marketing, so asked Jay, who was 99% sure they were USPCC.

I reached out to my contact at USPCC who confirmed that they did print them. I also asked USPCC and USPS about the potential for individual deck sales. As it was a custom run, USPCC cannot sell them, even if they had any stock left, but of course all the decks were sent to USPS. Postal confirmed that there are no plans to offer the decks outside of the magic kit, which is a bummer.

I ordered the kit, along with some stamps and other goodies. The cards are the same quality you would expect from a 2018 USPCC custom run - Bike stock and magic finish. I've had them for a few days and am glad to have them in my collection.

The artwork really appeals to me. The deck does not include Jokers. It has 52 cards, 3 duplicates, and another special art card. This was done to achieve some of the magic tricks that are taught in the booklet that comes with the kit.

In regards to there not being any printing on the tuck or cards about being manufactured at USPCC:

While it's common for most designers/producers to highlight the fact that it's a USPCC deck, there is no requirement from USPCC or the FTC to put that info. I have seen a few decks over the years that are USPCC but don't mention it. There aren't many, but it does happen.

FTC does require a "manufactured by" OR "distributed by" statement. The bottom flap states "Manufactured for the United States Postal Service" along with some address info. That font will be very familiar to those of you who pay attention to such things.

Reylek wrote:FTC does require a "manufactured by" OR "distributed by" statement. The bottom flap states "Manufactured for the United States Postal Service" along with some address info. That font will be very familiar to those of you who pay attention to such things.

That's exactly what I was referring to in a previous post. I guess I shouldn't assume that a render actually renders a deck Although it may seem opposite I am happy that these are USPCC and will definitely be getting a pack!

Glad I could help clear things up.

I think part of the confusion from the render is that it is not showing the die/cut lines, and it has some bleed, so it is making the shape look unusual.

As soon as I saw it my thought was, "Oh good, they actually used USPCC rather than going with some cheap printer."

But yeah, the render that was posted would pretty much be the exact file used to print from, so the renders are quite accurate from all I've seen.

Can someone post more pics and a review of this kit once they get this? At USD35 (plus S&H) , international buyers may have to think about it before jumping in. Thanks in advance!

I didn't even know there was a USPS TV!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 2O0T9KQnTW" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Eric Lee wrote:Can someone post more pics and a review of this kit once they get this? At USD35 (plus S&H) , international buyers may have to think about it before jumping in. Thanks in advance!

Seems pretty hard to get it without a US address and US credit card

This is a incredibly well designed deck with great courts. You can check out lots of pics on his Instagram page.

https://www.instagram.com/jpegfletcher/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

jerichoholic wrote:

Eric Lee wrote:Can someone post more pics and a review of this kit once they get this? At USD35 (plus S&H) , international buyers may have to think about it before jumping in. Thanks in advance!

Seems pretty hard to get it without a US address and US credit card

They seem to allow international addresses when registering, but with my extreme back luck with lost packages, I'm using a US consolidated shipping agent. So no issues there even if it's only US address.

They also allow you to pay via Paypal, so no issues with payment from what I can see as I tried checking out but not paying.

Saw one of these in stock at my local post office this morning. If anyone outside the US is still looking for this deck, let me know; if it's still in stock when I get there, I will mail it to you (sometime before the heat death of the universe) at cost - about USD50 including shipping.

I have posted that the recently released Cocktail deck from Fast Food Playing Cards looked like a cross between Meadowlark and Blue Jay Dentistry but to be fair, I have to say Meadowlark looks a lot like this USPS Art of Magic