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New deck forthcoming from Paul

Well this looks cool. I would normally be immediately in as I have been with every other Encarded deck but due to the way Paul left here after the Radia debacle I'm hesitant to jump right in. I guess that just left a bad taste in my mouth.

Very different. I really like that dark/red/gold design. The colorful one(s) also look(s) great.

I know it is not the same, but seeing this deck reminded me of this painting my wife did just two days ago. So, just because of the association, I will probably pick up a deck or two.

I am done with Paul. I wish him well though, but not spending any more of my money with his stuff.

Those backs are really nice! I wonder what the rest of the deck will look like. I like this better than the tendrils.

I have yet to open my Radias, so, I guess I can't be burned by that experience. I do like his regular encarded decks.

Based upon what I see here, I'll likely back this. I like what I see so far, and I have typically been pleasantly surprised by the previous decks of his that I've picked up. I shall tread cautiously, of course, given what has been said about his growing lack-of-communication, but I tend to give the benefit of the doubt, and will do so here, as well.

4 months of Patronage to then display pics of flourish cards. Phew, glad it was only $1 for those months.

Oh and don't forget, Patrons get first bids!! Or in other words, Patrons are first to send Paul their money and receive there decks when the general public does. And of course, at a "discounted" price, save $5.

I'm with Bradius, I'm also done with Paul and this thread!

Look at the pips next to the flat tuck. UGLY!

I am not sure whether it is just me but I am yet to see an Encarded deck that I like. Alas, this one is not an exception.

Paul has a few really good decks in his stable, but a lot of his decks were over-hyped and over-promised, but underwhelmed and failed to deliver. This Priory deck looks good, not great, and I like colorful decks (as you can tell by my avatar), but the fact that none of the courts are displayed warns me that the courts may be merely slightly modified standard courts, or fully custom crap. This has always been one of the main problems for his decks, even the really good ones, the courts are usually not that great and the weakest aspects of his decks.

From just the tucks and back design alone, this would be a deck I would seriously consider getting, but this is a classic case of where the character of the artist affects whether or not I get a deck. Paul used to be great coming around to hype his decks, but his conspicuous absence and silence when shit hits the fan tells me all I need to know about his character. Plus, these will probably be grossly over-priced, so its an easy pass for me.

Only perhaps if it’s readonably priced. If he can afford sports cars then he doesn’t need to gouge us.

I've enjoyed many of Paul's decks but this one is one I may be able to pass on. If it's priced well, I may pick one up.

I get a Japanese vibe from the back pattern, I've seen a lot of very similar patterns in Japanese art and origami paper. It looks like there may be 4 color variations from the preview pic. I like the thin borders with the partial full-bleed back design, it should look great in fans and spreads. I agree that the lack of any pictures of the courts may mean disappointing court cards. But the most disappointing aspect of Encarded (aside from terrible customer service) is the pricing of Paul's decks. I don't see any crazy features on the tuck, so maybe these will be priced within market norms. If so, these may be the first Encarded decks I've picked up in a long time. If not, an easy pass without a second thought.

alric wrote:Paul has a few really good decks in his stable, but a lot of his decks were over-hyped and over-promised, but underwhelmed and failed to deliver. This Priory deck looks good, not great, and I like colorful decks (as you can tell by my avatar), but the fact that none of the courts are displayed warns me that the courts may be merely slightly modified standard courts, or fully custom crap. This has always been one of the main problems for his decks, even the really good ones, the courts are usually not that great and the weakest aspects of his decks.

From just the tucks and back design alone, this would be a deck I would seriously consider getting, but this is a classic case of where the character of the artist affects whether or not I get a deck. Paul used to be great coming around to hype his decks, but his conspicuous absence and silence when shit hits the fan tells me all I need to know about his character. Plus, these will probably be grossly over-priced, so its an easy pass for me.

This is definitely true.

Back designs and tuck boxes are his "pride and joy".

I like the color palettes, particularly for the black/red and blue/gray variants, and I actually think the pip designs look nifty. But when the back design is ostensibly all about arcs and circles, I find it jarring that the grid he laid it out on keeps jumping out at me in such an obvious way. I keep just seeing big square tiles.

What sells me on most (nearly all) decks is the courts, but there are exceptions, few and far between though they may be. I'll reserve judgment until we know more about the faces and the pip layouts but, as others have already said, the absence of any pictures of them doesn't bode well.

Paul's version of "standard courts" is actually pretty good. Take a look at the deck he did for 52+J convention or any of his last couple decks and you'll see that even when he's doing a recolor of his own standard courts, they do exhibit a nuanced and distinct style about them.

Priory will be ready to order very soon! Available in three editions: Primary, Nave and Premiere. Each edition is more exclusive than the last and as with all Encarded decks you’ll only have one chance to get them, no reprints! The bold colors and thin, snappy stock will be amazing to play with or collect. Stay tuned for more details.

In the Priory: Nave Edition [tuck pictured above], the subtle natural fiber variations in the rich blue tuck stock contrasts beautifully with the silver holographic foil to create a minimalistic variation of the Priory design. Limited edition of 500, individually numbered.

Paul Carpenter was the first playing card designer who successfully convinced me to take the risk and spend a whopping $20 on a deck. Unheard of!

Oh, and hey! I happen to have it on top of a short stack right next to my computer desk; the Zenith deck. Lemme open that... Number 397 of 1000, and still just as awesome as when I first bought it. Fans like a dream, and the pattern makes the fans so freakin' cool.

Of course, those are borderless. These Priory decks seem to have a border that kinda interrupts the flow of a cool fan. But, as I mentioned earlier in this thread, my experience with most Encarded decks has been that they are cooler in person than they are on the computer screen.

These days, though, there's a lot of amazing designers out there and my budget is, alas, tighter than it used to be. If these are priced within market norms (as SinJin said earlier in this conversation), then this is a no-brainer to get. If it's as pricy as some of Paul's other more recent efforts, I'll likely sit this one out.

Please post the details when they're available!

Priory: Premiere Edition is the third and final version. Only 88 will be hand crafted by Paul Carpenter, using metallic quartz white cardstock with intricate laser cut details. The windows will provide a glimpse to the holographic silver gilded cards and Joker design. Hand numbered and protected within a @caratcasecreations clear sleeve.

The more I see the less I like. The sticker on top of the carat sleeve looks silly off to the left there. Socal includes carat sleeves with all his decks, but for encarded it's a selling point? Just weird to me. Besides, you can just open the sleeve on the bottom without having to remove the top sticker. Unless he plans to put stickers on every gap on the sleeve. Back design is alright. The printer is unknown at this point?

bdawg923 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 29, 2022 2:42 pmThe printer is unknown at this point?

It's very hard to read but you can see the bottom of the Nave tuck, I can sort of make out:

Priory Playing Cards
........ Playing Card Co.
... Made in China by
The Expert Playing Card Co NYC 20001

hsbc wrote: ↑Sat Jan 29, 2022 3:08 pm

bdawg923 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 29, 2022 2:42 pmThe printer is unknown at this point?

It's very hard to read but you can see the bottom of the Nave tuck, I can sort of make out:

Priory Playing Cards
........ Playing Card Co.
... Made in China by
The Expert Playing Card Co NYC 20001

Sharp eye, thanks! Even more reason for me to avoid this

4 years too late, Paul.
@Deckidea aka Jason had already explored and did a market survey on a design similar to this when launching The Exploration deck. I'm pretty sure I've seen other deck designers come out with similar designs throughout these year, just can't recall who.

Encarded has become a brand beating a dead horse and outdated ideas over these years. Most importantly, Paul's integrity, ego, and customer service are simply not reliable anymore.

Priory will be ready to order very soon! Available in three editions: Primary, Nave and Premiere. Each edition is more exclusive than the last and as with all Encarded decks you’ll only have one chance to get them, no reprints!

Priory: Premiere Edition is the third and final version. Only 88 will be hand crafted by Paul Carpenter, using metallic quartz white cardstock with intricate laser cut details.

I puke at the sight of implementing hype culture to promote his decks. Nothing is new yet capitalizing on exclusivity.
BYE and no thanks.

Decknowledgy wrote: ↑Sat Jan 29, 2022 10:39 pm

Priory will be ready to order very soon! Available in three editions: Primary, Nave and Premiere. Each edition is more exclusive than the last and as with all Encarded decks you’ll only have one chance to get them, no reprints!

Priory: Premiere Edition is the third and final version. Only 88 will be hand crafted by Paul Carpenter, using metallic quartz white cardstock with intricate laser cut details.

I puke at the sight of implementing hype culture to promote his decks. Nothing is new yet capitalizing on exclusivity.
BYE and no thanks.

Hit. Nail. Head.

Everyone can order Priory this Sunday, February 6th at 10am EST. Priory is a limited edition and won’t be printed again, just like all Encarded decks. Things typically sell quickly so if the bright and bold design catches your eye, don’t wait too long.

well shit, all you had to say was limited...

... and will never be reprinted

Available on Sunday, February 6th at 10EST only at Encarded.com.

Random person on IG says...

Standard - $22
Nave - $38
Premiere (Gilded) - $260 [ed. note ]