I’m the Gentleman Wake and this is a five minute deck spotlight.
In this episode we look at the Imperial Deck from Kings Wild Project.
Be sure to watch to end for info on an ongoing contest and remember for the best in playing
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[MUSIC]
The Imperial deck was made available in two versions.
The Signature edition was only offered to members of the Kings Wild Shorts Subscription
Service and as the name implies, Designer Jackson Robinson signed his autograph on the
front of each red tuck case.
The white edition is the retail version of the deck.
Both tuck cases are printed on high quality matte cardstock paper and feature raised gold
metallic ink printed in the intaglio style, which uses etched metal plates to produce
the linework.
They were printed by Artistry Engraving and Embossing out of Chicago, Illinois.
The sides and bottom of the box iterate the Designer and announce that they are printed
by the Expert Playing Cards Company.
The back of the box features a representation of the back design.
The works of designer Jackson Robinson have been featured many times on this channel and
are known for well thought out artwork with strong thematic motifs.
The Imperial deck is a bit different.
The front of the tuck case reads Playing Cards of the Highest Standards which implies that
the deck, while indeed premium, is intended for common use.
Therefore the motiff is less pronounced than the typical kings wild offering.
Mostly the linework is meant to evoke royal crests and banners.
The tuck flap is held closed by a gold foil seal.
The interior tuck flap recalls Jackson Robinson’s personal motto and the small tuck flaps include
a reference to No. 13, a recurring element often found on Kings Wild Project releases.
The card backs feature a prominent X style monochromatic design with ornamentation and
embellishments that are reminiscent of the cigar band style artwork of the Maduro deck,
also by Jackson Robinson, however much more minimalist.
The design is printed in gold metallic ink and includes a white poker style border.
There are two small circular seals that include what look to be hour glasses within.
Which, aside from the seashell style forms on the X itself, represent the only readily
identifiable shapes,
The custom faces of the cards carry over the minimalist aesthetic.
The pips and indices are smaller and more subdued than standard.
The design of the pips is also a bit more rounded and the stems on the clubs and spades
are much less pronounced.
Pip placement is generally standard although the pips are spread out a bit more.
The ace of spades includes a large spade pip with a gold metallic shining sun icon behind
a banner displaying the deck name.
Overall the artistic choices give the deck a feeling of elegance that’s only accentuated
by the fantastic courts.
The court cards feature variants of Jackson Robinson’s well established kings wild courts,
which are frankly some of my favorite court cards of all.
The Imperial versions are striped of any coloration, relying only on the gold metallic ink to bring
out the details of the cards.
I love that the court members are highly reminiscent of standard bicycle courts, while still modernizing
the linework without taking away what makes them feel classic.
Although the stylised faces are the biggest draw, the weapons and clothing here are really
cool as well.
My favorites include the axe on the jack of hearts, the royal tunic on the suicide king,
the frills of the queen of spades blouse, and the kimono style overlapping vestments
on the jack of spades.
The deck includes two jokers as well.
Both printed in gold ink.
The shining sun and a waxing gibous moon.
As mentioned, the cards are printed by EPCC and handle pretty well.
They are a bit stiffer than decks by the USPCC or Cartamundi.
Still they spring, dribble and fan well.
Faros are not as smooth however.
The decks are traditionally cut.
Obviously not a deck built for cardistry although they could be used for magic.
An elegant deck perfect for a special game night or just for collecting.
The Imperial Deck, white edition, is still available on KingsWildProject.com.
This is a premium deck and the $25 price tag reflects that.
Special thanks to Jackson Robinson for sending me these decks to review for you.
I don’t have an Imperial deck to give away in this episode, BUT if you want a chance
to win a half brick of decks, including a Kings Wild Project Tigers deck, be sure to
head on over to my instagram and enter the contest in the description of my United Cardist
Deck of the Year post.
In the meantime comment below and let me know if you’d like to see me do some live streams.
Might be a cool way to unbox some decks that I wouldn’t necessarily review and also to
field questions from you guys to answer live.
And remember, for the best in playing cards content click here to subscribe if you haven’t
already.
I’m the Gentleman Wake, see you next time.