What size exactly are the Enchanted and the Z.F. decks?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 14 Jun 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Diana	14 Jun 2002
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Lee	14 Jun 2002
Hi, Diana -- I'm not sure about the sizes, but the Zerner-Farber is the *exact same* images as the Enchanted, but they've cut out the fancy borders. Also, although the Zerner-Farber is smaller, the image itself is the same size -- in other words, the cards are smaller only because they cut off the borders. In the ZF, instead of having the title in the border, the title is in a banner which goes across the bottom of the image. I like the ZF 'cause it's smaller and easier to work with, and the card image goes all the way to the edge, which I like. However, that banner with the card title does obstruct the image sometimes. I also like the ZF better because the people tend to get a little lost on the Enchanted with all those busy borders. But they're both nice. -- Lee

Geenius at Wrok	14 Jun 2002
I haven't handled the Enchanted deck, but the Zerner-Farber is about the same size as a regular deck of playing cards.

Maan	14 Jun 2002
The enchanted is like the Hanson Roberts. The fact that they are small does not deminish the artwork because there are no borders. ( so you don't have to cut them up like some of the braver people here on the forum did ;) ) It is really nice deck. I find myself turning to it when i need a cuddle and some advice ;) I hope you like it Diana

Diana	14 Jun 2002
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Geenius at Wrok	14 Jun 2002
Trigono has the Zerner-Farber in stock for €27. That price seems a bit high to me, but I'm sure the shipping from Italy to Switzerland will be much, much less than shipping from the United States.

purplelady	14 Jun 2002
Diana, I got out my Enchanted Tarot and measured- 5 and a half inches by 3 inches. They are definitly Large. I cannot shuffle this deck the way I can a regular size deck. However, I LOVE this deck! I only have the Enchanted, not the z/f, so I cannot comment on the z/f version. However, the Enchanted comes with a Beautiful hardbound book that has a page on each card with a "dream, awakening, and enchantement(a spell)" for each card And a full size , color photograph of each card that is even larger than the card itself! Since the images on these cards are actually photographs of large poster size collages that Amy Zerner created out of various materials, (fabric, paper,lace, drawings etc,) it is really nice to veiw the larger images. Not knowing whether the z/f comes with this book , or any book (does anyone know?) I would definitely chose the Enchanted!

Diana	15 Jun 2002
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Maan	15 Jun 2002
He Diana If you can waite a little longer i can messure the ZF for you... but it will take a few days cause i did not bring it with me this week :(

Maan	15 Jun 2002
Oke Diana i found a link with the measurements of the Z/F http://astroamerica.com/t-menu.html Scroll to the bottum and click on the Z/F deck So tell us wich one are you going to buy?

Diana	15 Jun 2002
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Maan	15 Jun 2002
I think you already have made up you mind ;)

Lee	15 Jun 2002
You know, I used to have both decks, and I don't recall noticing that one had brighter colors than the other. I don't have the ZF anymore and so I can't compare it now, but this is the first I've heard that the colors are different, and I did spend some time examining both closely when I had them. -- Lee

Starfish	15 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Maan So tell us wich one are you going to buy? Yeah, which one ;)? :TQS Starfish

Diana	15 Jun 2002
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Maan	15 Jun 2002
Nice choice Diana! I i had known there where 2 versions when i bought my z/f i would have gone for the Enchanted. But on the other hand i like the small size :) I would really like to know what you think of the book! Cause i'm still thinking of buying the enchanted too :) "tarotaholic" Noooooo, not me ;)

Thirteen	15 Jun 2002
I love the ZF deck because I've small hands and it's incredibly easy to handle. Also, of course, I adore the deck itself.

Lee	15 Jun 2002
The obvious solution is to get both! :D -- Lee

Jimilyn	15 Jun 2002
Diana, Joan Bunning posts dimensions of any deck she has at www.learntarot.com. I have the Enchanted deck. It's quite lovely, and I really enjoy the book. I don't know if the Zerner-Farber comes with any book at all. I was disappointed in the packaging for the Enchanted deck. It came in a box and had the deck shrink wrapped in two separate bundles and slipped in by the book. No well for the cards to rest in. And even though the cards are large, they are beautiful. I've never seen the Zerner-Farber, but I was thinking that perhaps the colors just seem more vibrant in the ZF because of the white borders on the Enchanted...that may make them appear less vibrant. I don't know, expecially since I've only seen the Enchanted, but it was a thought. Enjoy the Enchanted, and let us know how you like it. Jimilyn

Geenius at Wrok	16 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Jimilyn I don't know if the Zerner-Farber comes with any book at all. No, it doesn't. It's just a deck in a box.

Maan	16 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Geenius at Wrok No, it doesn't. It's just a deck in a box. But with one of the best LWB that i have ever seen :) Like the Vision Quest

Diana	16 Jun 2002
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Lee	16 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Geenius at Wrok No, it doesn't. It's just a deck in a box. Well, actually this deck *is* available as a deck/book set (although, as Geenius says, you can also buy the deck separately). The book is called "Instant Tarot Reader," written by the same authors (Zerner & Farber), and basically gives meanings for each position spread for different categories of question, sort of like "Tarot Made Easy." I haven't read it, but it doesn't sound terribly interesting. The book that comes with the "Enchanted" set is probably better. -- Lee

Geenius at Wrok	17 Jun 2002
My bad. I haven't seen that edition, only the deck alone (w/LWB).

Logiatrix	19 Jun 2002
diana, i've had both of these decks/books, so i can further confuse you... i prefer the z/f deck with the enchanted tarot book! this only because i prefer the smaller cards, and the colors ARE a tad deeper, but not significanly so. a caveat here, though: i have found that the z/f cards have a thinner cardstock that i have replaced twice since my first deck. the enchanted deck is a sturdier, stiffer cardstock that probably wouldn't wear nearly so easily, so if a smaller sized deck is not necessary for your particular needs, go with the enchanted tarot. that book is definitely better. "the instant tarot reader" is a great starter guide for someone just getting into tarot, maybe never even intending to use the cards without the book. the enchanted book is very nicely put together, with glossy pages in color! WOO HOO! quite honestly, if i didn't have gimpy hands, i'd use the enchanted deck, so i wouldn't hafta keep replacing the z/f deck... there, now you know what to do! :)

Calypso	17 Mar 2003
I have the Enchanted and highly recommend it! The book is wonderful, it describes each card and has a suggested "enchantment" that you can practice. However, as a woman with small hands, I do have to say that the large cards are hard to handle. I can't shuffle them normally. The up side is that they are wonderfully clear and detailed. Plus, for me, it makes them feel special and unique, it helps separate them from other cards.

darwinia	18 Mar 2003
Hi Diana, You have WAY too much knowledge and experience for the book that comes with the Z-F set (The Instant Tarot Reader), it would merely be something you stick on a shelf and never use. It's really just for beginners so they can do successful readings without being overwhelmed by the meanings of the cards, and so they can relate to the various positions in a Celtic Cross spread. I find the deck a bit small, it was my first, but now that I have others it seems terribly small. I bought my copy used and I don't know how old it was when I got it but the edges are worn. Some people object to the banners with titling that cover up some of the image but it's never bothered me.

Wisp Wings	18 Mar 2003
Wow, glad to know that the Enchanted is thicker cardstock than the F/B is! I loved the art work in these, I didn't do the research on them that Diana has before buying mine. I have the F/B and I absolutely hate how super thin that these cards are.!!! Every time I've started out to use them I think what a rip off! My deck really just sits there, unused. When I think of how we are to respect our cards and honor them, I can't help but become irrated to think someone would design such a beautiful deck and then allow it to be trashed with such an inferior quality of the card stock. How respectful is that? Then to sell them when most are expecting the normal thickness of most cards. I can certainly see why some liking them would have to replace them often. Sorry, I can't think of who wrote that they replace their's often and likes the cards of F/B but the book of Enchanted together, but if you still have the Enchanted deck (if it is thicker stock) and it is in good or new condition, I would be willing to trade you even up for my shuffled a few times only F/B deck. Then you won't have to buy another deck as soon as your current one wears out. :-) Cause of this thin, cheap stock I wish that companies would state the exact size in every respect including the card stock and give comparisons. Would certainly help me out. Sorry for my rantings, guess you can tell I wish I had bought the Enchanted ones had I known. LOL, few things bug me as much as this does. Bright Blessings, LadyGinny

Kissa	19 Mar 2003
i bumped a thread i started some time ago with a comparison of both decks ... kissa

The What size exactly are the Enchanted and the Z.F. decks? thread was originally posted on 14 Jun 2002 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.