How to Spot a One-of-One October Mixed Process Deck

By Fulton's Playing Cards | Published: 2026-11-03

Category: Handleidingen

A practical checklist for identifying a genuine one-of-one October Mixed Process deck, from hand-painted backgrounds to the sealed comic-book art and its 1/1 status.

Quick answer

Start by confirming the deck is a genuine one-of-one: check that the background is hand-painted, the comic-book illustration is sealed and hand-applied, and the design matches the documented upside-down-to-the-grave concept. Because each October Mixed Process deck is unique, there is no standard reference to compare against, so your verification has to rely on the physical construction and the maker's own description.

Why one-of-one decks need a different check

Mass-produced decks can be authenticated against a known print run, but a one-of-one has no identical twin to compare with. That makes the usual shortcuts, such as matching a serial number or checking a print code, useless here. Instead, you are looking for evidence of hand construction: paint texture, the way the comic art sits on the surface, and whether the overall design follows the specific concept the maker described.

This also means condition matters more than usual. A one-off cannot be replaced, so any wear or restoration affects the deck's value directly. Inspect it in person or ask for detailed close-ups before you commit.

The upside-down design is the concept, not a defect

The October Mixed Process 1 of 1 *UPSIDE DOWN TO THE GRAVE deck was intentionally created upside down to mimic the feeling of being pulled into a grave with the undead. If you see the design oriented that way, it is not a printing error or a sign of a fake. Treat the orientation as a clue that you are looking at the intended concept, and check that the rest of the deck, including the hand-painted orange sherbet background, supports that same theme.

When to walk away

If the seller cannot show clear evidence of hand painting and hand-applied comic art, or if the deck looks like a standard offset print with a comic image pasted on, treat it as a different product. Because the catalog does not list a certificate, serial number, or signature for this item, do not assume those features exist. Ask directly and let the answer guide your decision.

Step-by-step: how to verify a one-of-one October Mixed Process deck

Confirm the hand-painted background: Ask for a close-up of the card back or tuck area and look for brush or paint texture rather than a flat, uniform print. The catalog describes hand-painted backgrounds, so a perfectly smooth, uniform surface is a red flag. Common mistake: accepting a low-resolution photo that hides the texture. If the seller cannot provide a sharp close-up, treat the hand-painted claim as unverified.
Check the comic-book art application: The catalog states that sealed comic-book illustrations are hand applied. Look for slight variations in placement, edges, or sealing that suggest individual application. A perfectly aligned, mass-printed image is unlikely to be hand-applied. Common mistake: assuming any comic image counts, when the key is the hand-applied sealing. Ask whether the comic art is sealed and hand-applied; if the seller is unsure, proceed with caution.
Verify the upside-down orientation: The deck was intentionally made upside down. Check that the design reads upside down when held in the standard orientation, and that this is consistent across the deck. Common mistake: mistaking the intentional orientation for a misprint and rejecting a genuine deck. If the deck is right-side up, it does not match the documented concept and should not be treated as this one-of-one.
Match the paint color to the description: The catalog specifies a hand-mixed orange sherbet shade. Compare the actual color under neutral lighting to that description. A noticeably different hue may indicate a different deck or later alteration. Common mistake: judging color from a photo with strong filters or warm lighting. Request a photo in daylight without filters before you rely on color as a match.
Ask for provenance and condition details: Because the catalog does not list a certificate or serial number, ask the seller what documentation they have: receipts, correspondence, or photos from the maker. Also ask about any wear, fading, or restoration. Common mistake: assuming a one-of-one automatically comes with paperwork. No paperwork is not automatically a dealbreaker, but missing answers to basic condition questions are.

Product facts

OCTOBER MIXED PROCESS 1 of 1 *UPSIDE DOWN TO THE GRAVE: This particular 1/1 was created upside down to mimic the feeling of being pulled into a grave with the undead, and it is painted in a hand-mixed orange sherbet shade. The upside-down orientation and the specific paint color are the most obvious visual markers to check first when verifying the deck.
OCTOBER MIXED PROCESS 1 of 1 *UPSIDE DOWN TO THE GRAVE