February 04 - 10, 2012 ~ Tarot Classic

Tarot Classic
Stuart Kaplan
US Games, 1974

I bought this deck on eBay.  I was looking for a nice TdM to use and the price was right.  Very right.  And when it got here, I found that it was not exactly what I expected.  In a good way.  First, it was sealed.  Well, not completely sealed.  Somebody has removed the bottom 1/2 of cellophane - to count the cards perhaps?  It also came in a gorgeous two-part box of deep blue and gold.  Found out this was the 1971 edition.  Lucky me!


After a search to get one I could actually use...I ended up with another just like it.  Sadly, it looked (and smelled) as if it had been kept in the well house for the last 40 years.  The seller returned my money and took the deck away.  I have allergies and asthma and mildew set them off.  Once again...a search! I found a nice cheap copy, no box, nice little bag.  It is great.  I have my collector version and I have my usable version!

TdM decks are pretty standard.  There are variations in coloring and presentation, but basically, they are standard.  I am not a TdM purist, but I have this quirk about the titles being in French.  It is a must.  One thing that bugs me about this deck is that the titles are not only in English, they are "Rider-Waite-d."  Pentacles? Seriously??  They are coins.  Really.  Not disks, but coins.  Wands? I will accept Rods, but not Wands.  These are Batons.  And it is a Bateleur or Juggler - not a Magician.  Those are just my little quirks, though.

Some people have commented on the color scheme.  It is, unique.  I don't mind it - it is at least colorful and cheerful!  A pink Tower might irritate some people the way I am irritated by it NOT being called La Maison Dieu.  For some reason, this artwork and color scheme appeal to me. 

As a reading deck, I had a great week with it.  I love to delve more into the TdM style of reading - it makes sense and offers more flexibility than the Rider-Waite system.  I try to stick to Pythagorean numerology (of which I know very little, but I do try!).  I have an easier time with the court cards in this system and tend to just carry that over to other decks.

Last year, I was a bit unfair with the Tarots of Marseille from Lo Scarabeo.  It is really a nice deck - it was more me than the deck.  I still search for a Grimaud of the late 70s (my first deck).  Haven't found it yet.

Rating: Keeper; Collectible