The allure and lure of out-of-print decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Oct 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rusty Neon	18 Oct 2003
There's a funny thing about out-of-print (OOP) decks. I don't think I would buy the Hoi Polloi, the Servants of the Light, or the Shakespearean Tarot if there were still in print, yet I bought them when I saw them at the store: There they were in front of me, OOP decks, at a reasonable price -- and I don't consider myself a deck collector per se. I'd be disappointed now if those decks ever got back into print. On the other hand, there are some OOP decks that I would get whether in print or OOP because it's a deck I really want, e.g., the Hermetic Tarot. A reasonably priced Hermetic Tarot deck has been eluding me; that's a deck that I want a 2nd Edition to come out for.

moonlitpath	19 Oct 2003
It's soooo easy to get caught up in the moment when faced with an OOP that you may never come across again, even if its one that you didn't particularly want. Heck, I've done that with decks that WEREN'T OOP. ;-) So don't be too hard on yourself. The good news is: with an OOP, there will always be takers and if you really wanted to, you could sell them and probably get what you paid, if not more. I've been disappointed enough that I'm much more careful about it and more in control. (Although, I did get that familiar "rush" when at the tarot cabinet at Borders the other day ;-) good thing I only bought a deck I really wanted!) BTW, I share your opinion of the Hermetic. I knew I had to have it the moment I saw it, even before I realized it was OOP. I did get one on ebay "like new" for quite a bit, but it WAS in like new condition....I couldn't even see where it was ever used, so I'm satisfied with the price I paid. I've seen them cheaper but they're never in as good of condition as mine is.

Dark_angel	19 Oct 2003
I got a first edition Vertgio off eBay, and it was quite expensive, but when compared to the prices I've seen them go for since then, it was ok. The blurb on the auction said that the box was falling apart, but it was anything but! The worst there was was a slightly bashed corner, and it's survived my room and two moves without a scratch. The cards are in perfect condition (they were even in order when I got them - now that's customer service!), and I adore them. xxx

Melissa`	19 Oct 2003
Ah! I know what you mean. Recently I've been searching over the auction sites for what I might be able to pick up. The most recent is the Shakespearean as well. I've picked up an unused copy for only $25. Which I suppose isn't bad being I've seen it go for more.. ~ Amaya

Mystic Zyl	20 Oct 2003
Yes I know the feeling about collecting the oop decks too. I really do not collect much of anything, like stamps etc. Realistically I need one deck to get the job done. I have two or three favorite decks I read from and the rest set in a display cabinet. Do I need these decks? No, but I want them because of their beauty and mysticism. I recently went into a metaphysical shop and found Knapp-Hall for $15.00, I almost fainted.The shop owner told me that that deck has sat on the shelf since the store opened. He was glad I was buying it, so was I!

truthsayer	20 Oct 2003
i love finding OOP decks, too. right now it's more in my price range to get self-pubs but give me the right price for an OOP and i am there! i got the hoi polloi for $20 and the shakespearian for $25. i can't say i'm in the market for a servant's of the light deck but if i found it for the right price, i'd definitely pick it up. the hoi polloi is the deck i learned tarot from so i had to have a copy of it for sentimental reasons. shakespeare? i happen to like his works! reminds me of going a while seeking a copy of the then OOP jungian deck. i held off getting it until they republished it. i was happy to have a copy of it but it's not my fav deck. i can't remember anything else i have that's OOP.

The The allure and lure of out-of-print decks thread was originally posted on 18 Oct 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.