The Minchiate Tarocchi is one of those decks that seems to be acquired later in one’s tarot life. When you can read with more systems or when a decent appetite for traditional decks has been developed. Just like a lot of readers I figured the Minchiate Tarot decks were collector’s items. With all those cards and differences it could not be a reading deck, right? This review, particularly of the Il Meneghello Minchiate Fiorentine Etruria from 1725, aims to describe deck & system, but most
In this TdM month, named Traditional Tarot with a Twist, I’ll review several TdM’s & Tarocchi’s, traditional reproductions or reinterpretations that can be recognized as both tarot and Marseille/Ancient Italian-like. However, their deviations and differences, might invite discussion on their pattern of ‘true’ TdM/Tarocchi-ness. Regardless, they are all unique and gorgeous in their own way. 1. Sola-Busca Ferrara by Lo Scarabeo | Anima Antiqua Series 2017 2. Eros: The Garden of Love Tarot: burlesque TdM by Uusi Studios 2017 3. Minchiate Florentine Etruria 1795 by Il Meneghello 1994 (+ Minchiate El Leone) 4. Le Tarot Noir: a medieval inspired TdM by Matthew Hackiere/Editions Vega 2013 *** [Editor’s note: Even though there is already a Sola Busca review- on the Mayer 1998 – on the site, this one also includes its historical significance and all the differences with other older and new tarot decks] The Sola-Busca is ‘hot’ at the moment. For whatever reason this very special 15th century deck is gaining repro-brothers*. This review is about the most recent addition to the Sola Busca stacks: Lo Scarabeo’s latest reproduction of the deck*. Enter Sola Busca Ferrara XV from their Anima Antiqua line. Look & Feel The Unboxing of Lo Scarabeo’s…
A look behind the scenes. Sneak peek through the designer’s eyes. Evalyne Hall – J.Jerger’s Tarot de Besançon “Why do an historical reproduction?, I was asked for The Queen’s Sword. The journey with the deck began when I began translating Du Jeu des Tarots and Recherches Sur les Tarots from Le Monde Primatif Volume 8. As I was translating the essays, I realized that two different decks were used for examples in the book. Antoine Court De Gébelin used an unidentifiable TdM and le Comte de Mellet (Louis-Raphael Lucrece de Fayolle) described a similar deck with Jupiter and Junon replacing the Pope and the Popess. I had never heard of this deck, having a limited Marseille knowledge (back then), but I knew that those images had to be included in the book. Based on Jupiter and Junon, I first found the 1JJ Swiss deck (OPP and much too new). A Google image search then led me to the British Museum and the Biblioteque National de France where I was able to locate four Besançon style decks; however, each deck had difference in some of the cards. In particular, with the Devil and the Four of Pentacles, Mellot used the phrases “He…
Unlike RWS-readers, Tarot de Marseille lovers have a limited amount of decks to work with and aren’t treated to exciting deck reviews very often. All the more reason for The Queen’s Sword to ask TdM experts & professionals*: Which TdM decks that are already out there *should* you collect or read with. Here’s their Top 9 Tarot de Marseille decks: #9 Pierre Madenie Several Tarot de Marseille (TdM) decks got the same number of votes but coming in on a joint last place (therefore 8&9) are the Pierre Madenie TdM (c1709) and Le Veritable Hadar TdM. These two decks reflect the differences between TdM decks; a facsimile copy of the original deck or a reproduced modernized version. The Madenie is one of the oldest TdM’s in existence and usually called ‘the most beautiful’. Sherryl Smith (from the multimedia tip) prefers the Paul Madenie TdM “because of the faces, because it’s a photo-repro and not restored and diddled with …” Yves Reynaud and Wilifried Houdouin made their reproduction based on copy in the Swiss National Museum. The Reynaud/Houdouin Madenie will be available again in fall 2016. A redrawn version of the Madenie is also available from Mary Packard. #8 Le Veritable Hadar…