Just started watching your vids in the past few months, but I love the absolute pleasure you take in every aspect of cards and magic, it's so inspiring to see
I feel like if the cards had the look of the box they would be nicer. Seems like they poured all the money into the box to sell but fell short on the cards. I just bought some navy blue monarchs and they are not as pretty as the box. Idk nice videos!
I just wanted to clarify (I hate to be that guy!) those are White Monarchs version 1 (sometimes called "White Gold Monarchs"). Gold Monarchs are also rare but they come in a gold tuck case and their back design is black with gold embossing. White Monarchs V1 actually preceded most of the other colors (They were released in Fall of 2014). There was a problem with the production and they made some changes in the second run, that's why they are rare and worth something. White Monarchs V2 are widely available but you can tell the difference with the sticker and the tuck flap. There's extra detail on the flap and the sticker has smooth edges V1. This deck was never meant to be a limited release but the community made the deck desirable and Theory11 capitalized on that. If you want the white deck go get the V2, it looks just about the same and costs the same as Monarchs of other colors.
Just wanted to clear up some misconceptions. There are decks from E, T11, and D&D that I love. Both of these are good decks I agree, it would be nice if more companies put the effort into their decks like Dan and Dave.
The secret they are most likely referring to is most likely how secretive they were being during its production and they had pre-released the cards to 144 (total) to 111 people. They asked that the design and gold foil be kept a secret until after its release. This is the email they sent (second 2/3rds of it) “Some details about the deck you'll be receiving: It's the best we've ever done. Printed at The United States Playing Card Company using imported papers, metallic inks, and stunning, elegant artwork. The deck represents the pinnacle of playing card design and manufacturing today. They're the most elite playing cards ever produced. We have a secret! The pre-release edition of Monarchs is NOT the same as the decks to be released publicly on 11/11. The pre-release you're going to receive is a GOLD edition featuring gold metallic inks on the back design. Otherwise, the decks - and the tuck case - are identical. Our original intention was to keep the gold backs for ALL of the Monarchs, but due to complications during the printing process, only 144 made it through. The gold edition will never be publicly available and is limited to only 144 in circulation. They'll never again be produced, and the only ones that exist - are yours. They are the most rare decks we have ever produced. We ask that you keep the cards confidential until release, and help us keep the secret of what the decks look like until then. The Monarchs will be unveiled for the first time on 11/11 at 11:00am EST. Until then, enjoy your new deck! Treat it well and please let us know what you think once you receive it." “
Chris I am a printer and I have printed many decks of cards, The time and attention to detail by the designers and these companies was maddening! I would have to have highly trained people with a loupe look over the entire deck and the paper (stock) had to be approved and we would send out hundreds of samples and I would cut them. Also they have to go through a Hi-Die machine which is a blade and the cards are cut by this blade smooth so you don't have any nicks like on a die cutter...MADDENING but I got a lot of clients by showing them card decks we had done because the quality was so high companies like Revlon and Pharmaceutical companies would give you there work knowing the quality you can produce...The Monarch deck is an embossing and foil stamping machine and the embossing plaque used to be made by hand now we use CNC machines and or lasers
Chris try and get your hands on the gold foil monarchs. I have them and it's by far the best of monarch series. With the white and gold monarchs you said the only thing you really didn't like was thr back design which I agree with you on but with the gold foil monarchs the back design is just beautiful!! It's jaw dropping.
When you go to the Magic chastle don't forget to bring the pen you know, from your magic drawer that you accidentally borrowed from them just a reminder
Hey Chris I Just wanna say that I Love your videos and you are probably the reason why I got into card magic. your personality in your videos is so Great and you Seem so natural and everithing you do is so Great. You are awesome Chris and you really changed My Life completely. Thank you
those white monarchs...i totally agree i would have made it darker/wider. i created a facebook group called The Magician's Community so there is a place to bounce ideas off each other and or ask questions.
T11 had a promo where if you bought a brick of the White Monarchs, you would get a free Gold Monarch deck (the one with the foil.) I bought a brick, just for fun, got the gold cards, and used like 4 decks of white ones before I realized they were limited edition, haha. On the upside, the white ones are printed by USPCC, the downside, the current line up of Monarchs is EPCC. The borders are thinner, but they don't last as long. I love T11 decks from USPCC.
Chris you have the V1 white gold monarchs (with the rounded seal). They made a V2 with the jagged edged seal. The V2 might have a thicker gold on the back. It'd be interesting to compare them.
Those gold monarchs are incredible! Would love to add one to my collection. The monarchs, as well as anything by Theory11, are my favorite designs. Keep up the quality videos, Chris!
hey chris, please tell me what's your favorite (most comfortable, good for magic/cardistry) deck of cards you have and say why and link us where we could buy them thank you :)
In 2014, Playstation held their first "Playstation Experience" convention. At this event, they had a full deck of playing cards that were available, but you could only get 1-4 cards from each booth at the event, and you had to participate and play the game featured at the booth to get the cards. A friend and i BARELY managed to get all the cards for the deck, and it is now the star of my collection. As far as i know, this is the only time this deck has ever been available (they've done collectible "trading card" style ones every year since then), and only the dedicated few got a complete set, making it a VERY rare deck (maybe a couple hundred complete sets), and i absolutely love it.
Hate to be that guy but those are the White Gold Monarchs. They were for sale for a limited time on T11 and could just be purchased. They go for about $50-$100 on eBay. The Gold Monarchs have an all gold tuck case and the cards are black with the snakes and lines designed in gold foil. Those are super rare and go for like $80-$150 on eBay. The Silver Monarchs were unlimited edition on T11 for a long ass time but are now even harder to find than the White Gold ones which is really odd but oh well. Your collection is freaking awesome though! Super jealous!
I have nothing to do with magic and have nothing to do with cards! But I find your videos intriguing and interesting. I enjoy watching them and learning something I knew nothing about.
I'm only at the 5:56 mark and I gotta say i absolutely love that Monarch deck and the back of the cards. Obviously everyone has their own preference and opinions on what they think looks good but imo they are gorgeous. No clue how they feel obviously........ok on with the video.
Hey Chris you always talk about how much you love having a double backer, could you do a tutorial on some double backer tricks? I have a few decks with them and can't really think of anything good. And as always great video it is cool to see the difference in cards and what makes a good deck.
You are incredible man. You color changes are so flawless. Even knowing how to do magic I'm amazed at how smooth your changes are. I hope I can be as good as you someday. I'm very much new to everything. I'd kill for a sit down opportunity to learn from you
Those white monarchs look sweet, they almost just look blank. And when you were doing your flourish's that Cascade shuffle was SIC! Never seen it done like that. Noice!
I wish more limited edition style decks came in a tuck case like the dan and dave private reserve deck and the foil wrap.. they both make it feel like something named private reserve
Nice cards. I guess I'm just not a card guy enough, I'm content mostly with my $22 a brick Maiden Backs (and cheap, matching gaff cards). There are still far too many books I want before I fall down that rabbit hole of premium decks.
Hey dude. Been binge watching your stuff. Really good quality and straight to the answer. Informative. Noticed you don't have the star wars cards yet? Fancy doing a review? They are quite new tbf
I have rare decks like gold monarchs but I dont know how long to keep them for. Im afraid the price will drop for them at some point instead of continuing to rise. My favorite in my collection is the fist edition Smoke & Mirrors
The handles men the handles!! The F***k 😱 impressed of the handles not about the cards...first time to see Chris do this crazy cardistry..and also first time to see him very excited like a first timer opening a deck or card
Idk how that’s different but they have white and gold decks of monarchs that looks identical to those at Walgreens for $11.. they also have some other colors..
Omg that back design of the D&D Cards is so gorgeous. I have from the smoke & Mirrors the denim and the red. they have that same design. I love it. Makes me so happy to see the beauty in the simplicity of it.
Chris the gold monarchs are really nice i have them too! But is it just mine or did they bunch up a lot at the beginning? I'd like to know from anyone.
Hey Chris, do you know the Paradigm Shift by Simon Black? If yes…what do you think about it…and can you recommend it? Would be nice if you find time to have a look at it…thanks😜
There are much rarer playing cards than these. These cards were made and produced with the mindset that they were going to be "rare" but bicycle alone have a handful of releases that are so rare they'd break the bank just to acquire. Still a great video nonetheless though, I liked that you acknowledged the line 👍
