Who Wants A Pocket-Sized Universal Waite Deck?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

MoreMagic	19 Jan 2004
Deck after deck comes out, but the publisher doesn't think to make a usable small-sized version of this incredibly popular deck! (I can't seriously count the key-chain size, it's not usable IMHO.)I'm wondering how many of us would want this - and if we can somehow make it clear that the market is really there for this!!

Aerten	19 Jan 2004
I'd love that, too, MoreMagic!! Maybe we could all write e-mails to US Games (or whoever the publisher of the deck is overseas)? They'd make a very impressive profit if they started making that.

Thea Lynx	19 Jan 2004
Cpunt me in!! The Universal is my favorite study deck - always use it in class - but still feels awkward for shuffling in my small hands. Thea

Imagemaker	19 Jan 2004
I'd like a small size of ALL decks--shuffling and layout is so much easier! Some of the wide, long ones are not made for using, just looking at (though we use them anyway).

dolphingirl	19 Jan 2004
I absolutely LOVE smaller decks and would love to see more small decks out on the market! Def count me in for one! Samantha

baba-prague	20 Jan 2004
I have one! There is an odd little version of the RWS made by a Czech publisher here - it seems quite bona-fide and I guess is made under licence (they do reprints of a lot of US Games decks and these are NOT bookleg, they are properly licensed). It is a little smaller than usual playing cards (sorry I don't have a measuring tape with me right now). They come with a little booklet in Czech and are fairly inexpensive. Nothing special in terms of printing and quality of the cards, but not bad. The only drawback is that the titles of the majors are in Czech - of course. But I've got so used to this it doesn't bother me at all. It's a pity this couldn't now be distributed more widely in English, but I'm sure the licence probably only covers Czech - any versions in English would probably have to be negotiated with US Games.

Emily	20 Jan 2004
I'd love a pocket version of the Morgan Greer - but I can't see them releasing this deck in pocket size. But a pocket Universal Waite would be good too :)

ros	20 Jan 2004
Count me in also. I think they should pocket size everything. I would buy different decks if they were smaller.

Aure	20 Jan 2004
I also like pocket-sized decks!! They're so much easier to handle and carry with you than the big ones! :* I would love to find a small Universal Waite or Radiant Rider-Waite! I hope the Golden Tarot-cards fit in my hand..

MoreMagic	21 Jan 2004
Thanks guys! I'm going to write to US games - please add your names to this thread if you are interested. I'd love to give them a big number of potential buyers! :)

Jewel-ry	21 Jan 2004
Pocket sized decks? Great idea. I agree with Emily, I would love a pocket size Morgan Greer. J :)

srose	21 Jan 2004
Maybe with this post I can make some people out here happy because soon there will be a pocket sized Universal Waite Tarot. It`s announced for February this year. Size will be 53 x 89 mm. I don`t know what this is in inch but it`s exactly the size of the pocket RW. Okay, it will be released in Germany but you can get it via Amazon. Look here: http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/3038190152/aeclecticta0a-21/ Hajo Banzhaf did a translation of the Universal Waite LWB into german and it seems that somehow he has managed to get the german publisher making a pocket sized version. Thought you might know this *grin* srose

lark	21 Jan 2004
Pocket size Universal Pocket size Morgan Greer Pocket size Robin Wood Bring 'em on.. Where's the line I stand in to pay for them?

skytwig	21 Jan 2004
How about using children's play decks until then? :)

lark	21 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by skytwig How about using children's play decks until then? :) Hmmmm Reading tarot with my kids Old Maid deck. Very interesting... Of course the whole deck would be court cards..:D

MoreMagic	21 Jan 2004
srose - what good news! Sounds like this is the same arrangement the Czech publisher Baba-Prague mentioned has with US Games. German (or even Czech) would be fine with me at least until the English version comes out. (Come ON, US Games!!)

inanna_tarot	31 Jan 2004
hey, not entirely sure what it means, but on Amazon.co.uk it says its published on the 1st feb! be interesting to see what, if anything changes and how much it comes to! http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1572814748/qid=1075580663/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_11_6/202-7005441-7536635 Sezo x

Imagemaker	31 Jan 2004
Amazon US lists it here, coming in February: I entered "Universal Waite" in book search and it came up, second item.

Phoenyx*	01 Feb 2004
I'd love a smaller version of any deck I have. :)

faunabay	02 Feb 2004
I'm glad publishers are finally realizing we will buy the regular size AND the pocket size of our favorite decks. I know quite a few people who have the regular AND the pocket size of the Thoth. I wonder why they hadn't recognized and provided this before??? Maybe they just looked at the Connolly and orignal Rider Waite and didn't think the sales were enough??? (shrug) But IMO those two decks aren't good examples, since neither deck is a "favorite" of the public. Now I know the Rider Waite is used alot....but usually the orignal colored version is used for study purposes so the pocket size isn't sold as much??? IMO Can you imagine how many pocket size Robin Wood decks would sell??? :D I would definitely be jumping up and down, waving my arms, for one!!!

Aure	13 Feb 2004
Has anyone heard of the pocket-sized Universal Waite? It seems that U.S. Games might publish their version this month, I don't know is it different than the german one. I really would like to get more pocket sized decks, I thought my Thoth was large and turns out that was just the regular size! I use the pocket version more often. I just hope I'll get used to my new Radiant RW when it arrives because I've read here that the cards are as large as my larger Thoth cards... When oh when will they make a pocket version.....

Imagemaker	13 Feb 2004
Quote: Has anyone heard of the pocket-sized Universal Waite? I have one on order from Amazon--they had said estimated shipping date was Feb. 3. That didn't happen. Meanwhile, I've been taking matters into my own hands. I cut the white borders off my New Palladini deck. Better shuffling size, better carrying size, and I like having the image run to the edges of the card. It was a slow job, but with very sharp scissors and a steady hand, they all came out beautifully. Then I scraped the newly cut edges a bit to dull their sharpness. I like it so much better now!

LadyMedusa	13 Feb 2004
ooooo... I hope it does come out soon. I know the perfect box to keep it in too...very portable. I have one for my pocket RW. Ebay here I come... LadyMedusa

MoreMagic	14 Feb 2004
Hi Aure and Imagemaker - I couldn't find a listing for this on US Games or Amazon - do you have an ISBN number? Or a link? So excited that this may be happening . . .

lark	14 Feb 2004
Hi MoreMagic Try Amazon again but type in ~ Universal Waite Pocket edition The ISBN is 1572814748 Amazon has it for $10.50 And you can preorder. I did :D

inanna_tarot	14 Feb 2004
Still nothing happening on the Amazon.co.uk front though! Sezo x

LadyMedusa	15 Feb 2004
I wonder if Tarot Garden will be offering it, or if they will be taking pre-orders for it? LadyMedusa

MoreMagic	15 Feb 2004
Thank you, Lark! Off to Amazon now . . .

CompassRose	17 Feb 2004
I want it, I want it! ... I wonder why it isn't available yet? (February 1 -- check! passed over two weeks ago!) I took the ISBN down to my favourite indy bookseller, and when they called their supplier, the supplier told them that the US Games catalogue and information was really late this year. But my pre-order is in. Wah!

MoreMagic	17 Feb 2004
Wailing right along with you.... (Amazon says it anticipates shipping February 19!) Edited to add on February 20 that Amazon is still not shipping. Sigh.

Aure	27 Feb 2004
Still waiting... Is it going to be released soon? There's no mention on the U.S. Games site.

Nitegoddess	27 Feb 2004
MoreMagic ~ You definitely can count me in. I would love to see what decks they will make available in a smaller size. :TMOON

MoreMagic	28 Feb 2004
I've emailed US Games to see what the story is on the release date. Will post if I hear back from them.

MoreMagic	05 Mar 2004
So today I spoke with someone in Customer Service at US Games. She said they have no knowledge of a pocket size deck, notwithstanding the ISBN number and the fact that Amazon is taking pre-orders. I'm just SO confused!!

LadyMedusa	05 Mar 2004
More Magic, I recieved the same information by e-mail this week from the customer service dept. at US Games. I was told that they have no record of that ISBN being issued. Perhaps it is being released by an overseas affiliate rather than US Games here. Do any of our European members have any information? LadyMedusa

Nitegoddess	05 Mar 2004
Lady Medusa and More Magic, How can the be taking pre-orders than???? That is weird. I am still very interested in a smaller deck size.

Thea Lynx	05 Mar 2004
I've been checking with my local metaphysical book store - if they can't get it, it just doesn't exist. The word so far is, no such deck in the works. He did wonder if someone got the mini universal confused as a pocket size - I've seen the mini - it's just too small for me to feel comfortable with for handling and reading. Guess I'll just have to wait. Thea Lynx

dolphingirl	05 Mar 2004
Hi There The Los Scarbeo Universal pocket deck has a US ISBN number of ISBN: 073870458X The Universal Waite Pocket Edition by Mary Hanson-Roberts has the following ISBN: 1572814748 I usually find that if I take the ISB number to the bookstore it can help quite a bit :)

LadyMedusa	06 Mar 2004
Thats the one I gave when I inquired, Dolphin Girl. US Games says it is not theirs. Here is a copy of the e-mail I received from them ______________________ We do not sell a pocket version of the Universal Waite Tarot Deck. We do however sell a pocket version for the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck. The price is $15.00 retail, and the item code is PWR78. I checked the ISBN you provided and it does not match any of the decks we have. Sincerely, Liz Espinosa Customer Service __________________________ So, I think someone at Amazon has made a boo boo. LadyMedusa

CompassRose	08 Mar 2004
More conflicting information. Methinks someone at US Games forgot to send a memo! I sent an email to them this weekend, and received a reply this morning from Bobbie Bensaid in the Executive Office, to the effect of, "Of course we are doing this deck! Where did you get your information from? It is being printed overseas, so we are not sure of the exact time of arrival, but it is definitely on its way!"

Lee	08 Mar 2004
I've been following this thread with amazement. What a comedy of errors! -- Lee

Nitegoddess	08 Mar 2004
I second that motion Lee :D

Aure	08 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by CompassRose More conflicting information. Methinks someone at US Games forgot to send a memo! I sent an email to them this weekend, and received a reply this morning from Bobbie Bensaid in the Executive Office, to the effect of, "Of course we are doing this deck! Where did you get your information from? It is being printed overseas, so we are not sure of the exact time of arrival, but it is definitely on its way!" Yippee!!!! I'm so happy now!!! I've been waiting for the Golden Tarot and this one and hope I don't have to wait for long anymore!

LadyMedusa	08 Mar 2004
I just got off the phone with US Games. Compass Rose, the memo has been sent!!! Customer Service now confirm's this deck will be released soon. LadyMedusa

Imagemaker	08 Mar 2004
I emailed Amazon about my pre-order and they answered that the deck has not yet been released, but it's coming. You'd think they'd change that Feb 9 delivery date, though.

lark	08 Mar 2004
Thanks Imagemaker I have one preorded too. I'm so glad to hear that.

Aure	26 Mar 2004
I'm still waiting for this one.... I'm hoping it would be a good deck to carry everywhere with me... Has anyone got any idea when it is going to be published?

CompassRose	26 Mar 2004
Returned to independent bookseller, and they confirmed with customer service that the deck is indeed on its way. Expected release date is now early May.

OakDragon	26 Mar 2004
I agree that every deck ought to come in a pocket-sized version. I'd love to have a pocket-sized Rohrig deck, especially!

MoreMagic	13 May 2004
Update on the delivery info from Amazon - I emailed them today and they are now saying June 9 - 16! This is starting to feel like chasing the white whale or waiting for the Godot Tarot... Edited to add - Yikes, this is my 100th post - I wish it were happier news!

Aure	30 May 2004
I just noticed that US Games had listed the pocket version (no picture yet) on their site!! Unfortunately the deck isn't available on Amazon at the moment. Here's what it says on US Games site: "The popular Universal Waite Tarot® deck is now available in a 21/4” x 31/2” pocket size. The 78 drawings by Pamela Colman Smith have been beautifully recolored by Mary Hanson-Roberts. The deck is packaged in a deluxe stand-up box and is an ideal tool for meditation and readings. Includes booklet of instructions. " I wonder what that deluxe stand-up box looks like...

dolphingirl	30 May 2004
I would guess that the deluxe stand up box would be very similar to the new box style that the Golden tarot came out with. Which I think would be a super idea, I would love to have sturdier boxes for my decks! No matter how careful I am with my boxes they always seem to get shelf wear even if the deck itself doesn't get much use.

Aure	04 Jun 2004
This is weird... It seems the deck is already out of print even though no-one has seen a glimpse of it... I got a response from the book shop I usually order from and they said that the item is currently sold out from the publisher so they cannot say when they could get it! Amazons in USA, UK and Canada all list it as 'not available'... I haven't found it from Tarot Garden or AlidaStore either...

janstar17	04 Jun 2004
It is still listed as available on the US Games Systems website but it sure hasn't shown up as available anywhere else I can find. WalMart.com has it listed but as "out of stock." Has anyone actually seen this deck, I wonder??

MoreMagic	05 Jun 2004
I put in a pre-order at Amazon in February when it was first listed there (although apparently US Games was still denying it existed?!?). My order is still pending. A few week ago I queried Amazon for the status and got an odd email that said something like "the original distributer is out of stock but they are ordering from an alternative source and expect to deliver by end of June." I didn't know there WAS an alternative source to a US Games product, but I'm just going to wait and see. Edited to add: I see that Amazon is now listing it as "unavailable" although my order is still listed as "pending" with an estimated delivery date of June 9 to 25th. Curiouser and curiouser...

FoxFire50	05 Jun 2004
I've also wondered why U.S. Games never put out a pocket-size version of the Universal Waite, the deck I use most often for readings. I have a pocket-size RW, but I dislike the cartoonish depictions so much that I never use it. I think we'd have to either write individually to U.S. Games or possibly have a petition created on this forum which could then be forwarded by Solandia to U.S. Games' marketing division. Nancy in Texas

MoreMagic	05 Jun 2004
Hi Foxfire - The odd thing here is that US Games SAYS they DO have a pocket size Universal Waite - it just appears to be impossible to order it -- from their site or anyone else's. That's the source of my frustration! But many people writing to US Games to ask "What is UP with this??" could only help, I am sure.

srose	06 Jun 2004
Hi, I read about all your problems getting the pocket version in the USA. This is really a strange thing. At amazon.de the German version is still available: http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/3038190152/aeclecticta0a-21/ But there are the shipping costs ... Maybe I have another idea for you: The pocket version is also available directly from Hajo Banzhafs side http://www.tarot.de/. You just have to send him a mail (of course he talks English). I think he also shipps in foreign countries (because he has also an international account number at his side ;) ) but I don`t know his shipping costs however I bet that he would have a fair price for them. At least you could ask him ;) . And if so many of you are interrested in this deck, maybe Tarot Garden could place a centralized order directly to Hajo Banzhaf (or to the German publisher). BTW, the german price of the pocket version is about 15.83 USD. Surely this is not the cheapest way to get the deck and it would be the German version (but the language shouldn`t be a problem because who needs a LWB for the Universal Waite and who doesn`t know the titel of the cards ;) ) ... but at least it IS a way. Maybe that helps someone. :) P.S.: If someone needs help in translating the German sides you can mail me. Believe me, my German is MUCH better then my English :D

Mimers	06 Jun 2004
US Games does have a pocket version of the Universal Rider Waite. You can order it directly from US Games. http://www.usgamesinc.com/Tarot/viewProduct.cfm?Product_ID=66668 Have fun!

MoreMagic	06 Jun 2004
Arrgh, Mimers - That's part of the problem. If you try to order it from the US Games site, you can't (at least, I couldn't). The system, for whatever reason, refuses to put that order into the shopping cart (although I had no trouble putting other decks into the shopping cart.) :( Edited by MoreMagic because shopping has a "g" at the end.

Mimers	06 Jun 2004
It let me put it in the cart. Why don't you email their customer service?

MoreMagic	06 Jun 2004
Calling them is on the top of my "to-do" list for tomorrow. This has become a QUEST! :)

Aure	15 Jun 2004
So, what's the situation now? Do they have it or are they just trying to play time? ;) If the deck isn't coming soon, I probably will buy the german one, after all, I studied it for five years.... Edit: Studied the german language I mean! Not the deck..

MoreMagic	15 Jun 2004
Here is what I know as of now. US Games says that the deck is in stock and available to order now. (The person I talked to actually said they had 5,000 decks printed!) Amazon continues to tell me that the deck is not available but they will honor my pre-order (for less than half the US Games list price, including shipping!) once they can get the deck. I emailed Amazon today to tell them that the publisher says the deck is available so what is the delay? Still waiting to hear back from them. If Amazon doesn't come through, I will order the deck directly from US Games, I guess, fuming all the way.:( The earlier difficulty I had with their site seems to have gone away, likely a cookie problem at one end or the other...

Shalott	16 Jun 2004
Mine arrived today, I "pre" ordered it on Amazon and it turned out to be more "Pre" that I thought, but the 3 month wait is over! I noticed something, a while ago I asked in some other thread if anyone knew the truth here, a reviewer on Amazon said that the standar-size UW deck that is what you get of you buy one now is different than a few years ago: the coloring is way faded. Well, my copy is very new and it does look faded but I didn't think much of it, I didn't have anything to compare it to. But now, seeing the Pocket edition, yes, my standard sized one IS faded. The coloring of the Pocket is much more brilliant and vivid. Plus, it comes in a nifty little box that is like the Golden Tarot, there's a little top that comes completely off, much better than normal. Anyhoo, it's available and I give it both thumbs up.

MoreMagic	16 Jun 2004
Thanks Shalott (or should that be My Lady? :) ) My email response from Amazon claims that the deck is "back ordered and our supplier has not been able to let us know exactly when they expect to have more in stock." They are going to "pass along [my information regarding the fact that the publisher says the deck in in stock, big time!] to the purchasing department for followup." So you got your deck from Amazon? When did you order it and when was it shipped to you? I ordered mine the last week in February . . .

dolphinprincess	24 Jun 2004
Ebay has it right now.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=19271&item=5502910645&rd=1

Thea Lynx	24 Jun 2004
Wow, with all this intrigue over the availability of this deck, I can't wait to see what arrives on my doorstep. I finally found it on Amazon last week and ordered it - but it has been sitting somewhere as 'ordered received' or 'payment processed' or something of that nature for the last three days. But the tracking information says I should have it sometime around the 28th. Since UW is my favorite study deck, I am really looking forward to have one conveniently sized for carrying around! Thea Lynx

sunflowr	25 Jun 2004
Since I can't order online, I called Borders Bookstore and they said that the deck isnt due to be released until July 7. And I have to wait till then to order it. They can't order it in advance.

cartarum	25 Jun 2004
i would absoultely LOVE to have a keychain sized tarot deck. i would keep it in a felt bag and draw daily cards like they were runes. my favorite deck to use, actually, is the rws pocket. very comfortable in my hands. as well as the spiral deck-just slightly bigger than the rws pocket. ~A~

lark	17 Jul 2004
Well skippity do da! Glory Hallelujah! And knock me over with a feather! I just got an email notice from Amazon that after all these months of waiting my Pocket Universal Waite shipped today!

Grizabella	17 Jul 2004
I'd love a smaller Haindl deck. It's just way too big to shuffle easily for someone like me who has small hands.

Shalott	17 Jul 2004
MoreMagic, sorry! I haven't been back in a while! I ordered mine in March, and got a similar response when I emailed amazon about the status. I'm really amazed that they (USGames, I'm assuming) didn't judge the popularity of this better! One thing I'm slightly disappointed is that I've only used this a couple of times now, and the edges are already showing wear. Of course, I poker-shuffled (ducking as things are probably being thrown at me for that one - hey, I had to guess when I first started all this!) but I do so gently and none of my other decks, even some that are nearly 10 yrs old, show any wear. Hopefully they'll laminate them better in the future of others have this prob too!

The Who Wants A Pocket-Sized Universal Waite Deck? thread was originally posted on 19 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.