Ciro Marchetti's "Gilded Tarot" Deck: A Review

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 30 Sep 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

jmkays	30 Sep 2003
I am privileged to be in receipt of Ciro Marchetti's "Gilded Tarot," deck number twenty-two, in a limited production series of two-hundred. The deck arrived carefully packaged and housed in a flattering wooden presentation chest. The deck is a precursor to a general production run to be published by Llewellyn. The "Gilded Tarot" may be previewed at Mr. Marchett's web site: http://www.ciromarchetti.com/ Mr. Marchetti is an internationally recognized artist with multiple awards in digital graphics; discussion of his work and technique has appeared in feature articles in numerous publications. His thirty plus years of work in the genres of digital graphics and pen-and-ink art has been influenced, in part, by artists such as Arthur Rackham, James Christenson, and Michael Parkes. Mr. Marchetti artistic voice has a singular and unique expressive tonality and timbre that earmarks his artistry in all of its manisfestations. The images, while often representational, incorporate a Rube Goldberg fanciful quality that visually delights while providing contextual juxtaposition, lending subtle connotation to the otherwise denotative symbolism. Perhaps as remarkable as the complexity and contrast in imagery and composition is Mr. Marchetti's color palette. Upon first examination of the seventy-eight card "Gilded Tarot" deck under natural light, one is immediately and profoundly struck by the tactile quality of the highly detailed artistry; the remarkable chiaroscuro present--typically reserved for criticism of oil paintings; and, most notably, the sheer richness of color and hue that evokes the stained glasswork of Chartres or John La Farge's stained glass artistry gracing Boston's Trinity Episcopal Church. Whether practitioner or discerning collector, the "Gilded Tarot" is a rare find and distinguishes itself as a masterwork in the realm of Tarot deck artwork. Jason M. Kays (Note: There exists no professional association between Ciro Marchetti and myself, nor was I given a discounted price on the Gilded Tarot or any other economic incentive to write this review.)

truthsayer	01 Oct 2003
please advise where and how one might purchase one of these limited editions. please don't tell me they are sold out already! i love this deck just from what i've seen online. i don't want to wait a few years until the publisher gets to it. :D

jmkays	01 Oct 2003
Truthsayer, Go to Ciro's web page (the URL is posted in my original message) at http://www.ciromarchetti.com/. Click on the upper left hand image--a star image with a paper clip attached. That will take you to the "Gilded Tarot" portal. Once there, click on the star image again; you will reach another web page; on that page click on "Special Edition" under the star image for purchasing information. The deck is not inexpensive, but given the small run of 200 and the high production quality, the deck does not disappoint. Regards, Jason Kays

Hedera	01 Oct 2003
Not inexpensive indeed: US $355!! Or $370 when you want it shipped outside the US...... I do like the deck, but not THAT much! ;) And, to be honest, I do think that is just a tiny little bit pricy......

truthsayer	01 Oct 2003
it's out my grasp, too. there are 2 other decks i want that together come to around $300. (the crone and the amber) guess i'll have to sit and wait. :)

Le_Corsair	01 Oct 2003
It is out of my range, too, unless I save up. Other priorities intrude. According to the schedule, Llewellyn is supposed to release it in early '05, just a little more than a year. I am hoping it stays on schedule! Bob :THERM

felicityk	01 Oct 2003
I'll be waiting until the Llewellyn release as well, but I definitely want this deck! Felicity

Gerbear	01 Oct 2003
The Nybor Tarot is the only other deck I'm aware of that is personalized for the buyer, and it only offers your name on the deck It is $300. I think that with the impeccable craftmanship of the Gilded, it is well worth the price. considering that your picture, or favorite verse, etc, will be on the extra card. It's just out of my range also, for now, but its value should only increase through the years. However if I have to wait for the publisher's version, I won't be upset.

Voodoo_Shaman	02 Oct 2003
nice deck, but way to expensive. I will have to wait for the much cheaper Llwelyn Publication.

ferrous	14 Jun 2004
Wow, cool! Aeclectic Tarot gets a mention on the site!

ferrous	15 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by me Wow, cool! Aeclectic Tarot gets a mention on the site! Oops. CreativeFire just told me that Ciro is a member of the forums. How embarrassing. :| :D

CreativeFire	15 Jun 2004
No need to be embarrassed Ferrous :) We are very lucky to have a few tarot deck creators who are members here at AT, a couple that pop to mind are Ciro of course for the Gilded and Baba-Prague of the Tarot of Prague, and more recently the Bohemian Cats Tarot (I think). If you check out the Tarot Deck Creation Forum you will no doubt see a few others who have published decks. Cheers CreativeFire

sunflowr	15 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Voodoo_Shaman nice deck, but way to expensive. I will have to wait for the much cheaper Llwelyn Publication. Me too, and it pains me to wait. :( It's such a beautiful deck.. one I've seen in dreams but didnt think existed.. till now. :) But man.. 3 months is a long wait. I'm soo looking forward to working with them. Please let it be EARLY september!!!! ;D

Majecot	15 Jun 2004
The long awaited seems finally in my grasp. I was able to preorder the (poor persons edition...lol) Gilded Tarot. Like many here, the Limited Edition was waaaayy out of my price range. I shall be happy with my publishers edition when it arrives.

sunflowr	15 Jun 2004
me too! :) I'll be even happier if it gets released earlier. ;) I can't pre-order because I dont have any means of online purchasing. But maybe I can have B&N or Borders pre-order.

lunakasha	16 Jun 2004
Does anyone know when we will be able to see a review of the companion book by Barbara Moore??? I read somewhere that the Gilded is featured on the cover of Llewellyn's latest catalog (have not received mine yet :( )...and I am anxious to read the reviews and articles in it!!! :D As a side note....I have just gone to amazon to see if there were any reviews of the book....and apparently amazon is no longer offering pre-orders...the Gilded is listed as "out of stock" now. :( I am still planning to pre-order mine through tarotgarden.... :) Luna

Centaur	16 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Le_Corsair It is out of my range, too, unless I save up. Other priorities intrude. According to the schedule, Llewellyn is supposed to release it in early '05, just a little more than a year. I am hoping it stays on schedule! I thought that it was going to be released in September/October? Oh, and Luna when will you be receiving your Gilded? I bet that you are very excited! :)

lunakasha	16 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Centaur I thought that it was going to be released in September/October? Oh, and Luna when will you be receiving your Gilded? I bet that you are very excited! :) Hi Centaur! Yes....it is scheduled for release by Llewellyn in September....I think LeCorsair's post was made awhile back, when they were originally planning for 2005....nice that this deck is actually running ahead of schedule!!! :D I am pretty sure that my Gilded (limited edition) is going to be shipped sometime this week...yes, I am BEYOND excited!!! :D :D :D I am planning to post my own review as soon as I have a chance to get over the shock and spend some time with it....thanks!!! :D Luna

tao51	16 Jun 2004
It is well worth tha money but sadly it is out of my range, too! September should be a great month!--Tao

Sillanza	17 Jun 2004
Count me among those of you eagerly awaiting the "generic" release of the beautiful Gilded deck in September. Also, I tend to make my decks work for a living; none of them get a lot of special treatment. I'd feel guilty if my rough paws in any way diminished the beauty of the handmade deck, and as a consequence, I might not use it as much as I would like. My mother was right: this is why we cannot have nice things!

Centaur	17 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lunakasha I am pretty sure that my Gilded (limited edition) is going to be shipped sometime this week...yes, I am BEYOND excited!!! :D :D :D I am planning to post my own review as soon as I have a chance to get over the shock and spend some time with it....thanks!!! Great. It will be interesting to hear your thoughts on the deck. Ooooo... the anticipation! Hehehehe.

tao51	17 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Sillanza Count me among those of you eagerly awaiting the "generic" release of the beautiful Gilded deck in September. Also, I tend to make my decks work for a living; none of them get a lot of special treatment. I'd feel guilty if my rough paws in any way diminished the beauty of the handmade deck, and as a consequence, I might not use it as much as I would like. My mother was right: this is why we cannot have nice things! ROFL--I am with you, Sillanza! I have a tendency to give my cards a full workout, I would be afraid to shuffle an expensive deck.--Tao

lunakasha	17 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by tao51 ROFL--I am with you, Sillanza! I have a tendency to give my cards a full workout, I would be afraid to shuffle an expensive deck.--Tao LOL!!!! :laugh: Ah yes....this has been discussed on another thread, many times: how does one shuffle the LE Gilded??? Hmmm....very carefully??? :eek: I guess the cards are VERY thick, sturdy...so they are not so much in danger of being easily worn out, bent etc. (from what I have heard...have not received mine yet to comment). But I agree that you don't want to be reckless with it either.... My feeling is this: I really want to feel comfortable using this deck in some way...I do not want to leave it sitting on a shelf collecting dust, simply because it is a collectible, expensive, etc. Of course, I will be extremely careful with it, but....yes, I do plan to shuffle, cut, lay out cards and enjoy them! Of course, when the Llewellyn edition comes out, I will probably use it more often than the other, but....still plan to use the limited deck on special occasions. So that is my two cents on the use it/don't use it debate....;) I am looking forward to the September release of the deck....so that all of us can start playing with and having more in-depth discussions on this gorgeous deck.... :D Luna

OakDragon	17 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lunakasha LOL!!!! :laugh: Ah yes....this has been discussed on another thread, many times: how does one shuffle the LE Gilded??? Hmmm....very carefully??? :eek: I guess the cards are VERY thick, sturdy...so they are not so much in danger of being easily worn out, bent etc. (from what I have heard...have not received mine yet to comment). But I agree that you don't want to be reckless with it either.... My feeling is this: I really want to feel comfortable using this deck in some way...I do not want to leave it sitting on a shelf collecting dust, simply because it is a collectible, expensive, etc. Of course, I will be extremely careful with it, but....yes, I do plan to shuffle, cut, lay out cards and enjoy them! Of course, when the Llewellyn edition comes out, I will probably use it more often than the other, but....still plan to use the limited deck on special occasions. So that is my two cents on the use it/don't use it debate....;) I am looking forward to the September release of the deck....so that all of us can start playing with and having more in-depth discussions on this gorgeous deck.... :D Luna I've discovered I can shuffle them quite well if I divide the cards into 3 groups first, then cut them into each other, (making them into 3 piles but with some cards from each of the three previous piles) and then shuffling them some more. Could be that it works for me, though, because I have large hands.

lunakasha	17 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by OakDragon I've discovered I can shuffle them quite well if I divide the cards into 3 groups first, then cut them into each other, (making them into 3 piles but with some cards from each of the three previous piles) and then shuffling them some more. Could be that it works for me, though, because I have large hands. Thanks for the tip, Oakie!!! Sounds like it just might work! Although I do not have very big hands...I will give it a try and see what happens! :) Luna

Arnaud	18 Jun 2004
I don t know if this method has already been discussed, but for the Rohrig i use this one: Cut the deck in say 10 stacks. Pick up one stack. One by one, put each card of this stack onto another stack (going fast so as not to think which one i choose). ==> After some time, only one big stack is left. Doing it again, 2 or 3 times total. Very thorough shuffling, easy to do with big sized deck. Hope this helps :-) Arnaud

ferrous	18 Jun 2004
I sometimes do a similar method to what Arnaud does, but only for when I'm just shuffling them for my own use. I don't divide the deck up first, I simply hold the deck in one hand & deal it out to several different piles, fast, like Arnaud, so that I don't put them onto the piles in any special order.

lunakasha	18 Jun 2004
Thanks Arnaud and ferrous, for the shuffling tips.... I also recently acquired the Rohrig, which is VERY large and tricky to shuffle for me....I will have to try the 10-pile method Arnaud! :D I have tried ferrous' method....in fact, I do this frequently with brand new decks, in order to really separate the cards. If I do the traditional shuffle with a new deck, I end up with several majors, cups etc. in a row. But dealing them into little piles and then blending them all together results in a much more thorough shuffle! :P :) Luna

OakDragon	18 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lunakasha Thanks Arnaud and ferrous, for the shuffling tips.... I also recently acquired the Rohrig, which is VERY large and tricky to shuffle for me....I will have to try the 10-pile method Arnaud! :D I have tried ferrous' method....in fact, I do this frequently with brand new decks, in order to really separate the cards. If I do the traditional shuffle with a new deck, I end up with several majors, cups etc. in a row. But dealing them into little piles and then blending them all together results in a much more thorough shuffle! :P :) Luna :P Then you may have trouble with my Gilded shuffling tip! I find the Rohrig to be the ideal size for shuffling.

tao51	20 Jun 2004
When dealing with valuable decks be careful! One can overhand shuffle nicely. Dovetail shuffling can be hard on the decks- unless instead of bending--lightly ruffle the cards. Mutiple cuts can be useful but I prefer a combination so that they are fully mixed. I guess whatever works--is the better method.--Tao

lunakasha	22 Jun 2004
Just wanted to let people know.... I have posted my review on the Gilded here, if you would like to read it: http://tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20304&perpage=10&pagenumber=32 Thanks! :D Luna

The Ciro Marchetti's "Gilded Tarot" Deck: A Review thread was originally posted on 30 Sep 2003 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.