Hi everyone!
I started collecting back in March 2022 when I saw a video on Reddit of someone doing cardistry with a Generation One deck. I thought to myself how cool and satisfying the moves looked, so I started to look into what sort of cards there were out there. As someone who loves mythology, I was taken aback once I found the Anubis & Osiris V2 decks and delved deeper into the rabbit hole. A lot of you can probably relate to that initial experience of finding so many decks attractive, like a kid in a candy store. I had barely spent any money throughout the 2 year stretch of the pandemic, so having disposable savings made it harder for me to stop myself. Soon enough, I came across the likes of Lotrek, S17, Jocu, Alex's NPCCD series, etc. and witnessed the vast amount of beauty that had been created since the explosion of modern era card collecting stemming from around 2012. I also have an affinity for transformation and semi-transformation decks, spanning well beyond the modern era.
I began to go through the process of trying to pull back on the dopamine rush I would get from purchases. Space certainly has become an issue, and I tend to shy away from box sets or campaigns that do recolors, multiple gildings, or gatekeep certain decks behind a tier that requires a bunch of other decks to be purchased that I don't want. I now try to be more firm with myself to not back any decks that I consider a "maybe" and only go for ones I truly like, regardless of hype. There's a collector side of things and a business side of things, so I try not to fall for the plethora of business tactics that try to maximize sales, but my emotions do get the best of me at times. In certain circumstances, like with Jocu, I opt for the Titan tier because I show my support for the incredible work that is done, even if it means getting duplicates. Having multiples of the decks isn't always feasible, but I can end up helping newcomers should they need an Inverno IC acrylic set, for example. If it weren't for Anthony, Boschiero & Newton would not be in the playing card sphere, and now others are using them as well. I thank them for this as well.
As I began to acquire more and more decks in my collecting, I was finding it more achievable to create a complete collection of Lotrek's works and I started to make it a mission of mine to accomplish this feat. He's my favorite artist in terms of technical achievement and capabilities with hot foiling, so for those recently getting into the hobby, acquiring even one of these treasures can be truly something special to behold. I remember being astonished by the pictures of Golden Oath and frankly overpaid for the deck when it first popped up months after being in the hobby. Since then, I'd say my favorites shift, but tend to always include Silk, Arabesque, Crypt, Golden Oath, and Damask.
On November 21st, 2023, I acquired the last 3 remaining decks I needed in order to officially declare completion of all public works of Lotrek's (minus any prototypes that are either known or hidden away in the world). I continue to try to expand my collection to ephemera (uncut tucks, coins, boxes, etc.) and struggle to accept that a lot of the collectors at the time who may have these items are no longer in the community, making it even more difficult to acquire them. Lotrek is a very private man, and so the little glimpses into his process and the insights he offers are always a pleasure, and I strive to be an expert in his artworks.
My list of Lotrek decks can be found on UC here where I'm very active.
Happy to be here.
@playingcardophile
