Claude Burdel Marseilles Deck

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

jmd	14 Aug 2002
Another deck to my collection has just been added... another (you may find this atypical for me) Marseilles deck! It is a reproduction of the Claude Burdel 1751 version, whose colouring influenced greatly Paul Marteau's version (the Grimaud deck). The box of the deck has both a Llewellyn and a Lo Scarabeo mark. Unfortunately - from my perspective - the Majors and the Courts have been modified to make room for the modern font printing of the titles/names in numerous languages. I would have vastly preferred that the original Burdel be left as is, and printed accordingly... But apart from this, it's great to be able to have it in full colour and as a full deck, rather than merely parts from the Encyclopedia or electronic. I suppose that it will also provide me with additional insights into aspects of Tarot representation.

Lee	14 Aug 2002
jmd, is there anywhere where we can see scans from this deck? Also, is that the actual title, "Claude Burdel Marseilles"? -- Lee (curious but wary of buying yet another Marseilles deck)

Jewel	14 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by jmd Another deck to my collection has just been added... another (you may find this atypical for me) Marseilles deck! Antoher Marseilles deck? ~gasps~ I am shocked!!! ~giggles~ ;) ... do you have a link?

jmd	14 Aug 2002
Jewel and Lee, the only link I have is the Lo Scarabeo site, which shows some images. It should be noted that in their catalogue, this is called the Tarots of Marseille, and that the Ancient Tarot of Marseille is a different deck. The above only answers part of Lee's question: on the side of the box, in small print, is written 'Claude Burdel - 1751'.

Lee	15 Aug 2002
It looks nicer than that icky Tarot Classic deck which is supposed to be based on Burdel. -- Lee

jmd	15 Aug 2002
The (US Games) Tarot Classic which I have is not a Marseilles deck, but the very similar looking Swiss Schaffhouse. I realise that many claim that this latter is a Burdel deck, but I think this is mistaken. One place you can see some cards of the Schaffhouse is here. The (US Games) Tarot Classic, incidently, is undoubtedly my main reading deck... despite my preference for the Marseilles.

Lee	15 Aug 2002
Oops, sorry, jmd, I didn't mean to insult your main reading deck. :) That link shows the Tarot Classic deck... the reason I don't like it is because to me the colors aren't attractive, and I don't like the way US Games used "Pentacles" instead of "Coins." -- Lee

Diana	15 Aug 2002
edited

Lee	15 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Diana They dared????? :mad: :mad: LOL! My theory is that Stuart Kaplan felt that Americans required Pentacles. I dislike Pentacles for a suit. I much prefer good old earthy Coins. -- Lee

Umbrae	15 Aug 2002
I disliked the US Games Marseilles deck being in English!

jmd	15 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Lee Oops, sorry, jmd, I didn't mean to insult your main reading deck. :) No insult taken... I just couldn't resist mentioning it ;) I must also admit that there are quite a few aspects of the (Classic/Schaffhouse) deck which I am quite critical of - but that probably belongs more to another thread.

Pollux	16 Aug 2002
Jmd will never forgive me, even if I am a scallywag... It was only when I went to the link he gives for the Burdel deck, that i realised what I had done. My studies of tarot started on a Marseille. THAT Marseille. A weird edition, something that came with a book/course/whatever I fail to remember now... Probably not even bought in a bookshop... *LOL* It was amazing. I remember ZERO of all the meanings of the colors, and whys and whynots... But it was really amazing: there was an explanation for almost everything. The red wings of the Empress, the blue robe of the Popess... It was also good because the cards were BIG! And the details were easily detected, even though at the same tie the pictures were not that full of details, the edges too wide, the colours too flashy and strong. I dod not like the deck much, but stdying the Majors was really useful. I had both a good reference on traditional Marseille, and a good tool to be later compared to RW. The deck looked a bit... roguh. I preferred some classier renditions, and all the "imperfections" of the pictures (Jmd will be already trying to kill me at this point) put me off a bit (the breast of The World and Star, for example, or the back of the Empress - not easy to understand if those were the wings, of the throne or what else...). I feel so silly now. I burnt that deck. I wanted to get rid of it... ============================== Well, NOW. I think that, if I start buying Marseilles, my tarot-holicism will become Marseille-holicism (and Jmd, you might not belong to the former, but...*lol*:)). All the same, I wonder if now I should not make up for the crime I committed, and put this Marseille on top of the others... I'll have to PM you again, jmd... ***ARGH!!!! I had to edit this post! So many mistakes!!!***

jmd	17 Aug 2002
Though I do not own as many decks as some Aeclectic members, my collection still numbers above fifty (I haven't counted them recently) - and this despite having given away various decks over the years. My Marseilles collection is thus only a very small subset of my total number... As far as forgiving you, there is no need! For every deck burned or wilfully destroyed, a hundred Marseilles decks will flourish anew :) - but please don't go out and burn more because of this!!!

truthsayer	20 Aug 2002
no disrespect to anyone but i've never been attracted to the rough drawings and overuse of primary colors(red, blue, yellow) in this deck. however, i do appreciate learning about the tarot classic. i think i might be able to relate to this marseilles style deck b/c of the increased diversity of colors. my fav decks tend to be colorful even tho i do have a couple fav B&W decks. i may just treat myself to the tarot classic...the price is right... ;)

Lee	20 Aug 2002
I guess I'll have to drag out my copy of Tarot Classic and give it another look. It was actually one of the first decks I ever bought. -- Lee (who is far too suggestible when it comes to decks)

The Claude Burdel Marseilles Deck thread was originally posted on 14 Aug 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.