Question about unopened decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

arcanalefait	03 Jan 2004
I have been collecting decks for a little over a year now (mostly used via ebay) and I have a question. Does it matter if decks are still sealed? I have a few that are--Tarot Balbi, Lupatelli's Celtic tarot, Tarot of Baseball--and wonder if it even matters that they are. (Meanwhile, I opened my Rock and Roll tarot because I was so excited about using it that I didn't care--even though THAT one probably matters.)

MoreMagic	03 Jan 2004
Is your question will it matter to future buyers? Because in some cases, I suppose having a sealed deck will make the deck more valuable, as a guarantee of its condition, assuming the deck is/becomes a collectible one. But I don't think you should beat yourself up over opening the Rock and Roll Tarot! Personally, I'd find it too difficult to buy a deck for investment purposes, only - I want to work with the decks I buy.:)

Centaur	04 Jan 2004
I will respond from perhaps a more metaphysical perspective. I am assuming that you meant to question whether having an unopened deck in your possesion over a number of years might have a negative effect on your being. I do not think that it matters. And yes, an unopened deck would definetly be more valuable for future buyers. Can I just ask though... don't you just want to open up the deck in order to have a glimpse of the cards? ;) C

galadrial	04 Jan 2004
Hi, I just thought I'd throw in that, for whatever reason you haven't opened them, you might want to be aware that sometimes decks have been put together incorrectly. I've gotten two different decks that had two of one card and none of another, and one deck where the coating on one card had been applied badly and left a big, thick bump down the middle of the card. The sooner you know that a deck is faulty, the sooner you can contact the publisher, who in all cases replaced my decks for free- but the decks were still in print; I doubt if they could have helped me much had they been out of print. Edited to say: oops. I meant to say that in one case they replaced the whole deck, in the other two cases they sent a replacement card.

Majecot	04 Jan 2004
Hi arcanalefait I agree that is it best to open them to make sure they are all there.. especially if your buying a previously owned deck. Personally, for me, the first thing I do is to rip open the package to look at the cards. :D But if you only collecting them and not going to use them then the value would be higher being unopened.

firestorm	04 Jan 2004
I admire your restraint. ;) Unfortunately, I'm not equal to it. I agree with the others, I'd open them to at least make sure they're all there. From what I've seen, most people don't care if the pack has been opened as long as the cards are in good condition.....and if they're in "like new" condition.....you'll have no problem.

arcanalefait	05 Jan 2004
Thanks! I'm not always able to restrain myself. The decks I haven't opened are usually decks that I'm not all that thrilled about. But now I might open them! Arcana

Umbrae	05 Jan 2004
For starters, it all depends on WHY you bought the deck. If you purchase a deck for later resale on the secondary collectors market – don’t open the deck. If you do, don’t shuffle it. Mint in Box is one price. However Mint in Box Never Opened is a higher price. Any deck that you would consider reselling, saving the box is mandatory. Now admittedly all of this is difficult. How can you possibly not open and look at a limited edition deck… The answer is simple. Always buy two.

MoreMagic	05 Jan 2004
Oh Umbrae - aren't the tarotholics here in deep enough trouble without you encouraging them to double it!! :)

The Question about unopened decks thread was originally posted on 03 Jan 2004 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.