A GUIDE TO BUYING AND COLLECTING TAROT DECKS
By Elizabeth Hazel © 2004
Getting Started
Beginning tarot readers generally start with the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, as this deck is frequently used to illustrate tarot books for beginners. The imagery of this deck was designed by Pamela Colman Smith in 1909-10, and includes fully-illustrated pip cards (Ace through Ten). Most decks designed earlier than the RWS deck have un-illustrated pip cards, making it more difficult to learn card meanings. There are several editions of the RWS deck available, and these are distinguished by their adjustments in how Smith’s ink drawings are colored, and also by the design on the back of the cards:
The Rider Waite Deck (standard ed, U.S. Games, solid color fields)
The Albano Waite (slightly different colors)
The Universal Waite Deck (Mary Hanson Robert’s beautifully detailed re-colorization)
Mini-Rider Waite (small, pocket-size edition)
Other Schools of Study
Although the RWS deck represents a solid starting point, there are different schools of tarot use. Differences are based on the symbolism used on the cards, as well as the correspondences and attributions assigned to each card. The RWS deck is predominant in the US and Britain. A continental European deck that is greatly favored in the Tarot de Marseilles. Another distinctly British tarot system was devised by Aliester Crowley. His Book of Thoth was written to accompany the Thoth Tarot, painted in a pseudo-cubist style by Lady Frieda Harris. Besides the RWS deck, the Thoth deck is another important influence on the development of 20th and 21st century tarot decks; however, it is difficult deck for beginners.
RWS and Thoth Variants
Since the 1970’s there has been an explosion of new tarot decks. Many of these decks are variants (or “clones”) of Smith’s RWS designs, closely following her illustrations, and hence the divinatory card meanings. Some RWS variants are designed to reflect literary characters or popular artistic portrayals (these are called “program decks”). Thoth variants are less populous, and necessarily more complex to study and learn to use.
RWS Variants (not an exhaustive list as there are hundreds):
The Golden Tarot, the Hanson Roberts Tarot, Tarot of St. Petersburg, the Aquarian Tarot, New Palladini Tarot, Goddess Tarot, Halloween Tarot , Baseball Tarot, the Tarot of Oz, the Old English Tarot, Tarot of a Moon Garden
Thoth Variants:
Magickal Tarot, Liber T, Tarot of Ceremonial Magic
Modern Independent Tarot Decks
This is an increasingly popular area of tarot collecting. Deck designers slightly or greatly modify the symbols on the cards, and thus the meanings of the cards. There is little to no dependence on the RWS deck, Thoth, or Tarot de Marseilles. These decks may come with a book included in the deck package, or a separate book may be available to explain the deck’s individual qualities.
Modern Independent Decks (not an exhaustive list as there are hundreds available):
The Haindl Tarot, the World Spirit Tarot, the Herbal Tarot, Tarot of Shadow and Light, the William Blake Tarot (out of print but still available); the Winged Spirit Tarot, the Sacred Rose Tarot, the Nigel Jackson Tarot, the Victoria Regina Tarot, the Connolly Tarot, the Feng Shui Tarot, Tarot of Journey to the Orient, Navigators of the Mystic Sea, Alchemical Tarot, the Medieval Scapini Tarot, Ravenswood Eastern Tarot, the Ancestral Path Tarot, the Ananda Tarot (English edition of German deck); the Cosmic Tarot, Tarot of the Druids, DruidCraft Tarot, The Vampire Tarot, Ship of Fools Tarot, the Renaissance Tarot (Brian Williams), the PoMo Tarot, the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Pythagorean Tarot, the MotherPeace Tarot, The Enochian Tarot, Tarot of the Saints, Sacred Circle Tarot, the Buddha Tarot, the Robin Wood Tarot, Witches Tarot
Reproduction Decks
Another popular area of collecting is antique reproduction decks. These decks are reproduced from some of the earliest decks in existence, all of which are in private collections or museums (and wildly expensive, of course). They are all European in origin. Because tarot was originally a card game, much like bridge or euchre, regional variations are evident in the differing symbolism, trump card order, and number of cards in the deck. What is now considered the 78-card “traditional” tarot deck structure was not codified until the end of the 19th century (and even now is subject to adjustment and tampering – there is no “right” way).
Visconti-Sforza Tarot (Italian Renaissance, one of the oldest extant decks)
Tarot of the Bohemians (designed by the French mystic, Papus)
Wirth Tarot (a German deck designed by Oswald Wirth)
The Grand Etteilla (designed by French mystic, Etteilla)
Tarot de Marseilles (designed by French publisher Convers, has survived into modern usage, probably because it follows the 78-card structure)
Minchiate
Mantegna
Knapp-Hall Tarot (American antique deck)
Art Decks
This area of collecting is served by European and Asian deck publishers, who are willing to do limited editions (generally 2,500 copies) of unusual decks by noted tarot artists. Art decks may not be printed on double-sided waxed cardstock, and are more vulnerable to wear and tear, making them undesirable for frequent readings. Because of the small printings, these decks can get very expensive. Specialty art decks may only have the 22 trump cards, and can be much larger than most tarot decks. Occasionally, artists will sign and number these decks, making them even more valuable for collectors to own. Because rare tarot deck prices are rising, collecting limited editions or signed/numbered limit edition decks can be a form of investment collecting, much like rare coins or stamps.
Lo Scarabeo is an Italian publisher that specializes in art and collectible decks (distributed in the U. S. by Llewellyn), and feature decks like The Dürer Tarot (22 Trump cards) and The Gnome Tarot (22 Trump cards). They have both art decks and reproduction decks that are available and in print. Menegazzi is an Italian publisher of limited edition decks, like Le Mani Divinatorie (22 Trump cards, signed and numbered). Grimaud is a French publisher that produces both reproduction decks, art decks and unusual limited edition decks like the Tarot Masonique (full 78 card deck) and the Madonni Tarot (78 cards). A new area of card production is rising from Japan, where animé and manga artists are creating tarot decks in this popular illustrating style.
Non-Tarot Divination Decks
Not to be confused with tarot decks, divination decks have become increasingly popular since the 1980’s. Because of their singularity, these decks are almost always accompanied by a text book written by the author and/or artist. Again, the list below is representative, not exhaustive, as there are tons of divination decks in print.
Angel Cards
Faerie Oracle Cards
Rune Cards
Egyptian Pyramid Oracle
Gypsy Oracle Cards
I-Ching Cards
LeNormand Oracle Deck
Creative Whack Pack
Crystal Oracle Deck
Pricing
A standard tarot deck with a little white book (LWB) packaged in a box usually sells for around $20.00 unless it is oversized or foreign. A tarot deck packaged with an accompanying text can range from $25.00-$40.00, depending on the size of the book and the quality of the production. Imported decks waver wildly in price. Much depends on whether the deck is imported by an independent tarot-seller (or rarely, a bookstore); or if the foreign deck is working through an American distributor. This is the relationship that exists between the Italian company, Lo Scarabeo, and Llewellyn International. So Lo Scarabeo’s decks are sold in the United States for the same general price as a standard deck, around $20.00.
A word of caution for those who may be searching E-Bay or similar web auction sites for tarot decks. It is worthwhile to see if a deck is available or in print by checking Amazon.com or some other bookselling internet company before bidding on a deck put on auction. Double check that the contents are complete before making a bid, as a tarot deck with missing cards is almost worthless unless it has significant historic value. Research the publication date, and if the deck is still in print. If the deck is still in print, don’t pay more than retail cost for the item. If the deck is out of print, check Amazon’s used book dealers, and see what range of prices are being asked for the deck. Some decks are highly prized because the publisher only made one printing of the deck, perhaps 2,500 copies. If the deck wasn’t reprinted, and became popular over time (and this happens), then the deck can fetch hefty sums, usually $40 - $100 if it isn’t all but unobtainable on the open market.
Some art decks have extremely high prices. The Salvador Dali deck sells for $80 - $100, which is fine if the buyer is a Dali fanatic, or has a collection that focuses on decks by famous artists. Sellers of the Dali deck claim that the inflated price asked for this deck is because the edges are gilt, but the Golden Tarot by Kat Martin also has gilt edges and art, and sells for about $25, and this includes a very slick packaging in a box that holds both the deck and a nicely produced mini-book about the deck.
As in all areas for collectors, the buyer should beware, and should do some researching of prices before buying or bidding. The Internet offers multiple sources of information about tarot decks on websites created by tarot specialists and collectors. Below are listed two sites that are highly useful for tarotists at all levels of study.
For card image samples and deck reviews on literally hundreds of decks, go to:
www.tarotpassages.com
For specialty tarot deck purchasing, as well as for viewing a huge range of tarot decks, traditional, in-print, out-of-print, collectibles, European and Asian imports, go to: www.tarotgarden.com