Need A Deck ID!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

SongDeva	11 Nov 2003
I bought a Rider Waite on eBay and I'm having trouble identifying the edition. The box is held together with yellowed tape, indicating some age. It came with Eden Gray's Tarot Revealed in an early paperback edition, 5th printing, also in the 70's some time, I'd guess. The Box says Complete Authentic Tarot Cards in an older font also I think from the 70's. There's a picture of the fool on the front. The deck has soft, muted, pink stripes on the back and in the center of them, a white Ankh encased in a darker pink box. It's put out by University Books Inc, New Hyde Park, NY. Any thoughts?

Le_Corsair	11 Nov 2003
That's known as the "University Press" edition. I just won an Ebay auction for a set, myself. Since I hate the blue plaid "tarotee" backs with a unreasonable hatred, I'm always on the lookout for other editions of the RWS besides US Games'. Ebay actually has quite a lot of them, you just have to know what the boxes look like. Bob :THERM

Sulis	11 Nov 2003
A link to a page with all the RWS IS HERE Love and light Sulis xx

SongDeva	11 Nov 2003
Thanks, guys. I appreciate your posting! Le_Corsair, I got you the blue plaid back deck for Christmas. Does this mean you'll want me to wrap it with the receipt!? L

Le_Corsair	11 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by SongDeva Thanks, guys. I appreciate your posting! Le_Corsair, I got you the blue plaid back deck for Christmas. Does this mean you'll want me to wrap it with the receipt!? L Well, they do make good drink coasters. :laugh: BTW, the Merrimac is the other RWS that appears on Ebay regularly. Bob :THERM

Cerulean	11 Nov 2003
Kind of bright and pretty, in a funny 70's irridescent sweetness. I think it should have gone for about $8, but I paid $13 from Abebooks.com, from a used bookseller, plus postage to get it here a little faster, insured. I think of it like my Diamond Tarot...sometimes a Rider Waite Smith deck in a different coloring gives a lift. To be honest, I think it's much prettier than the 1992 reprint out now by U.S. Games. Actually, the 1971 Rider Waite I like best from the New York office of U.S. Games before they moved. It unfortunately has the plaid back. The University and my favorite edition shares a larger font that looks almost hand-set and it makes a difference to me. (The difference with my favorite is that the matte colors on the front are light and from a bit of online conversation with a nice collector, the "accurate color tones" note on the box isn't a lie, the line quality and larger font titles just give it something extra for me...also the paper pamphlet adds to a vintage feel. Not bad for $8.00 at a used bookstore.) Hope you enjoy your pretty vintage deck. Mari H.

The Need A Deck ID! thread was originally posted on 11 Nov 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.