Tarot of Prague, separate decks now sold out!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Mar 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

baba-prague	10 Mar 2004
I'm sorry, but just to say that in spite of grabbing decks that haven't yet been put into sets, frantically calling the bookbinder and otherwise scraping around for every separate deck we can lay our hands on - they are now all gone! (yes, even my "put aways" are getting dragged out of the cupboard, oh no!) We do still have sets. One small "heads up" though. We sent 100 separate decks to our distributors in LA and (for all sorts of odd reasons that would take too long to explain) they will probably be at a very good price. However, 100 in the US is going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack. But if you see one, I would advise anyone here at AT to snap it up because they really will be the last of the first edition. The usual good tarot stores, Tarot Garden and Alida Store in particular, may well have some decks for a while as we know we have sent some. We are now considering a reprint but if so, it will be changed quite a lot (mainly because we want the first edition to be really unique). So I have two questions: Do you like the "bookbinder cover" or would you prefer a box for the cards? We will change the deck now so that this first edition is unique. If we do a different second card, which would you choose? (my preference is for Temperance, partly because we have a gorgeous piece for her). edited to say - sorry, I didn't explain that well at all. What I'm trying to say is that we will not have two Death cards this next time (heavens, just realised we will have to decide which one to keep) but we may do an alternative card instead. I would like two Temperances myself - but what do you think? Also - would more laminated varnish be good, or a problem? (we do not mean really plastic varnish, whatever we use will be gentle and somewhat old fashioned in feel - it just goes much better with these cards - and also we want it to age well - that's important to me in particular :-) ). We can't promise to please everyone with the final decision, but it's nice to ask! (moderators, if this is in the wrong place, please just move it, but I hope it fits okay here)

Kosmos	10 Mar 2004
I live in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada, and I ordered the tarot of prague from a local bookstore here a couple of weeks ago. I ordered the set with the book and the cards. The owner said it would take quite a while to arrive. What are the odds of my getting it roughly?

Cocobird55	10 Mar 2004
Conratulations on selling out! You created a wonderful deck, and it's nice that people appreciate it. I love the the bookbinder cover -- much better and more unsual than a box. I vote that you keep it. It is one of the few decks I have that I didn't put in a bag, because the cover is so cool. The temperance card sounds good. I'm happy with the way my deck feels, so I'm not sure about changing the laminating process. Thank you for asking your fans for opinions -- we appreciate it. Sue

Astraea	10 Mar 2004
Baba-Prague, I love the bookbinder cover. It speaks volumes (no pun intended) about the character of the deck, itself, in addition to being a very original and creative way to package the cards. I also like the lamination of the first-edition cards -- it is smooth without being slimey and overly glossy. As to which card you change, I have no opinion -- I know that whatever you decide will be just fine.

Lee	10 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by baba-prague Do you like the "bookbinder cover" or would you prefer a box for the cards? How about both? :D Seriously, you could have a blank white box which the cards go in, and then that box could fit inside the bookbinder cover. That way, one has something to store the cards in. If it needs to be one or the other, I would have to vote for a box, because the bookbinder cover, gorgeous as it is, can't really be used to hold the cards once they're opened. I personally would like a little more varnish, but it's not a big deal to me either way. Congratulations on the success of your first edition and best of luck with the second! -- Lee

Marion	10 Mar 2004
Hi Karen, First, congratulations! I think if you a wonderful alternate Temperance, use that one. I think a lovely box would be better. The bookbinder holder is great but a box might be easier to handle. Lamination as current seems fine to me. Marion

baba-prague	10 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kosmos I live in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada, and I ordered the tarot of prague from a local bookstore here a couple of weeks ago. I ordered the set with the book and the cards. The owner said it would take quite a while to arrive. What are the odds of my getting it roughly? Absolutely no problem if you have ordered the set. That's fine, we shipped enough out to the US to last a while I think. It's the separate decks that are in very short supply (literally 100 shipped to the distributors). The sets and the (100) decks arrive in California we hope around 25th March (assuming no storms or pirates, they are on a ship). Then they have to get through customs. Then, phew! they should start to appear in bookshops quite quickly we hope. Thanks for ordering! The idea of ordering from a US or Canadian bookshop is exciting - it means that distribution is really beginning to happen! I'll just be so glad when Tarot of Prague really is sitting on shelves across the Atlantic.

baba-prague	10 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Lee How about both? :D Seriously, you could have a blank white box which the cards go in, and then that box could fit inside the bookbinder cover. That way, one has something to store the cards in. If it needs to be one or the other, I would have to vote for a box, because the bookbinder cover, gorgeous as it is, can't really be used to hold the cards once they're opened. Thanks for that Lee, it's tremendously helpful, as we are dithering like mad on this. I thnk it would be ideal, but unfortunately to do do both bookbinder cover and a box would be terribly expensive, and the idea with any reprint is to make the price lower, not higher (well it seems only fair, as I think it won't have quite the same "collectible" value as the first edition - if those things are important) so we may have to decide one way or the other. I remember that you have always had doubts about the bookbinder cover. It tends to be liked more by some people than others (okay, I'll confess, women do tend to like it more than men - in fact I love it and Alex can take it or leave it). Visitors to Prague love the cover - it's very typical of some of the wonderful handwork that still just about exists here. However, we are talking to our friendly (and Beatles adoring :-) ) bookbinder and he has yet another idea - a sort of "folder" like cover around a box. Perhaps - I have to see it really, and preferably use it. He is a nice man - genuinely into all this - though as disorganised as anything (we really never quite knew exactly how many separate decks there were as it was a bit of a moveable feast according to how many he felt like putting into sets or not LOL - only in Prague!) Anyway, it will all happen. I think we will go for slightly slicker varnish and cutting by the way - but not too much so. I don't want anything to feel mass-produced (well, it isn't mass produced in fact - it's all terribly hands-on here).

Lee	10 Mar 2004
I just remembered that I have a Minchiate deck by Menenghello which has a bookbinder cover, and then within that, there is a piece of white cardboard which wraps around the deck vertically (leaving the sides uncovered). So you have the cards, then the cardboard piece which wraps around the deck, and then that slips into the bookbinder cover. So it's not a full deck box, but it keeps individual cards from slipping out of the bookbinder cover. But even this may be too much, if your goal is to make it less expensive. -- Lee

Jewel-ry	10 Mar 2004
Congratulations baba! I absolutely adore the bookbinder cover, however I do think its a little impractical. I do keep my cards inside it but I dont tie it as I worry about the ties wearing or coming apart. The idea I do like is that which came with my Morgan Greer a few months ago. It is a box but its really sturdy and it has a lift off lid. The cards sit inside lovely and its quite different and durable. As for a card to duplicate, I really wouldn't like to say. I suppose that if you have an idea for Temperance then thats the one to go with. However if you were looking for a card to replace with a different one I would have suggested Judgement, for no reason apart from the fact that its not my favourite. As for all the other cards 'leave them alone' I love them! :) A huge appeal of this deck is its hand-made feel and I think it important to make sure you maintain that. Otherwise, well done and thank-you for producing one of my favourite decks. J :)

baba-prague	10 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Marion Hi Karen, First, congratulations! I think if you a wonderful alternate Temperance, use that one. I think a lovely box would be better. The bookbinder holder is great but a box might be easier to handle. Lamination as current seems fine to me. Marion Thanks Marion. Yes, I am sort of moving towards a box, with maybe something a little more decorative for the local visitor market (though a box could be beautiful in its own right of course) The lamination issue is one that really divides people. I've had comments both ways. I think we might do a slightly different lamination, but I am scared stiff of ending up with that plasticky feel! I'll have to go and sit with the printer and really talk about this more I think. Perhaps we worry too much ;-)

baba-prague	10 Mar 2004
Oh! I finish typing, read the new posts and change my mind again! You see why we dither so much on this. In a perfect world we would have a range of packaging, but that's impossible, we will have to choose. Of course the bookbinder may in any case want to change the cover. I know it turned out to be time-consuming for him, though he's been very nice about it always.

baba-prague	10 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Lee I just remembered that I have a Minchiate deck by Menenghello which has a bookbinder cover, and then within that, there is a piece of white cardboard which wraps around the deck vertically (leaving the sides uncovered). So you have the cards, then the cardboard piece which wraps around the deck, and then that slips into the bookbinder cover. So it's not a full deck box, but it keeps individual cards from slipping out of the bookbinder cover. But even this may be too much, if your goal is to make it less expensive. -- Lee No, that wouldn't be unduly expensive (it's a cover and full box that would be) but I have reservations about this. I have several Italian decks with this arrangement, and I don't know, I just find the folded board a bit too rough or something. Alex however likes it and had some ideas for changing it (he collects books on packaging design and it shows!) We did get a quote on a really lovely lift-off-cover type box (copied from a 1920s deck I have) but it was more expensive than printing and cutting the deck! However, we may be able to adapt it somehow. I just liked the robustness. I'm sure it will all work out. It's nice that we have this small, flexible and rather jolly bookbinder. Oh - I mean his company is small and flexible, he is quite rotund in fact :-)

punchinella	10 Mar 2004
Baba, here are my two cents: The bookbinder cover is unique but impractical. I think most of us agree about that. In regards to lamination--I would love to see more of it, since I worry SO MUCH about using the cards I have . . . I'd purchase a second edition, in spite of the 'extra' first editions floating around downstairs here, simply to be able to use something that felt a little bit more protected. I really do worry about the cards as they are (but I'm a Virgo, I worry a lot about everything.) Enough said. About the Death cards: keep the 'spooky' people-rising-from-their-graves card, PLEASE . . . not to knock the puppet card (I do like it, & left it in the deck I'm currently using . . . ) But the 'spooky' card's a more serious read. Double-temperance is a lovely idea. :) Punchinella

dolphingirl	10 Mar 2004
I personally really prefer a box to the bookbinder cover. While the book binder cover is attractive I prefer a box for storing and carying a deck (the bookcover does very little to protect the cards) I also would welcome alittle more varnish Thanks

punchinella	11 Mar 2004
Well, oh, (waffling) I do hate to see the puppet card go . . . (it's so cute)

dolphingirl	11 Mar 2004
Is there any way to buy the book seperatly if you have the deck alone? Thanks Samantha

baba-prague	11 Mar 2004
Yes, the varnish is more robust than it seems (there are two coats - honest) but I do think a little more may be more practical. We are also thinking of changing the card stock just a bit - to one that apparently is designed for a more conventional lamination. We are looking at various boxes and debating! The input really is invaluable, and thank-you again. I'll report back of course when we do decide. It sounds like the preference is for a nice box. Perhaps that's as well as it would mean the the first edition was absolutely unique. So - the book. Well, I know tarotgarden (who are brilliant and think of everything) did have a couple of copies of the book on its own. We can also sell it from our site. The US distributors won't have it, as apparently big bookshops don't much like the complexity of decks in one place and companion books in another (really, they prefer sets as it's easier to keep track). We'll always try to keep a few extra books as we've realised that they are often wanted. Okay off to talk packaging! Oh - and cards - no, I don't know which Death card to keep. We like them both equally, which is of course how we ended up with two in the first place! But only space to print 80 cards on a sheet, so one will have to go...

Le_Corsair	11 Mar 2004
I think that I'd prefer a box for the second edition, myself. The first edition was a special thing, and should be kept special to distinguish it from subsequent editions. (you don't think there'll be only two, do you? ;) ) The second edition and any subsequent editions should be packaged more conventionally, with as little variance as possible. That's just my opinion, though. As for the box, I like the two-piece tray-style box. They are far more durable than the one-piece flaptop box. I don't know that they must be significantly more expensive than a flaptop, as somehow Miss Cleo managed to package her...ah....interesting deck in a two-piece tray box. My old original Aquarian deck from the 70's came in a tray box, and it's held up wonderfully down through the years, unlike any of the flaptop boxes I own. Bob :THERM

Lee	11 Mar 2004
I have to agree with Bob, I really like the tray-type boxes. Are they really too expensive? I too have an old Aquarian like that... and also the Miss Cleo... but best of all is one of the favorites of my collection, La Corte dei Tarocchi... -- Lee

Le_Corsair	11 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Lee I have to agree with Bob, I really like the tray-type boxes. Are they really too expensive? I too have an old Aquarian like that... and also the Miss Cleo... but best of all is one of the favorites of my collection, La Corte dei Tarocchi... -- Lee We agree, Lee? Ye gods and little fishes! :D Bob :THERM

EarthAngel2911	12 Mar 2004
Karen and Alex, Congratulations on selling out your first edition! That's wonderful news! And it didn't take long, did it. :) If you're asking for suggestions on a second edition, I'll give you mine. And then I would probably buy another one, even though I have two copies of your first edition. ;) First, I think cards a tiny bit shorter would make for easier shuffling for those of us with small hands. I can shuffle the current deck, but I'm a bit stretched, and sometimes the cards fly out all over the place. A little more varnish would be nice. Does the first ed really have two coats? I always feel like I want to be so careful when I'm handling the cards. I would prefer a box for the second edition also. I think it would protect the cards better, and I agree that the bookbinder cover for the first ed makes this deck truly unique and special. I also like the tray-type boxes, but only if the cards fit nicely inside. My Fantasy Showcase Tarot stacks up just a little higher than the bottom tray of the box, and I guess that's why the top tray never stays on well. I have this box held together with a rubber band. :( And if I get to vote for one of the Death cards, I LOVE the card with all the people in it; it's just so much more unique. Ok, I'm done! :D Congratulations again, and thank you for asking for our input. Blessings, Karen

yve	12 Mar 2004
I do own a first edition, so I hope my input is valuable....I do like the bookcover, however, I don't feel it is able to protect the cards on it's own, I also have them slipped into a tarot bag for added protection. And I also have to agree, the 2 piece does a so much nice job of housing and protecting the decks, and for future resale value, they do hold up so much better than those flap boxes which are usually beaten up looking in no time... The finish also affects my using this deck on a regular basis. I understand you posted a reply on a previous thread as to the durability of the varnish you used, but I still cannot get over the fact that they just don't feel protected enough to use them on a regular basis, they still have a vulnerable, delicate feel to me. I do realize it's only perception and psychological, but I just can't get past it...I think a more obvious sturdier finish would increase the perceived usability of the deck...I do love this deck. Although I've only used it once for a reading for my significant other, I very much enjoy studing the art and imagery...This is still my collectable deck...I would look forward to owning another that I could feel comfortable as a reading deck...

punchinella	13 Mar 2004
Oh Yve, ToP is a WONDERFUL full-time reading deck, unparallelled! YOU NEED ANOTHER COPY!!! I know what you mean about the way the cards feel, but you NEED to be able to use this deck. Oh, it's such a wonderful deck to read with. Oh, oh, oh it is. :D :D :D

baba-prague	13 Mar 2004
Thanks again for the input. Yes, honestly the cards do have two coats of varnish, but it's matt and a rather old-fashioned type. It won't be as hard wearing as a modern laminate, but it will provide pretty good protection. However, I'm really hearing what people say about a more obvious varnish - this we will do I think. Unfortunately the request we can't meet is for shorter cards. This would mean redoing every card as we couldn't just stretch or shrink. I'm sorry that you've found them a bit long EarthAngel. There is always this problem in choosing size and shape. A lot of people do like really big cards, but others strongly dislike them. Maybe one day we will do a pocket Tarot of Prague (we have actually briefly talked about this - apart from readers liking it I think visitors here would fine it a nice size for a special "little" present). But - it does look like the box wins out doesn't it? Now all we have to do is try to come up with a design that is special and hopefully robust. These answers are just invaluable you know. Instead of waking up early in the morning in a complete state of indecision (I kid you not) I feel some good decisions emerging. Thanks!

MeeWah	13 Mar 2004
Karen: I love the bookcover & the attached booklet. To protect it I keep the deck in a Tarot bag, especially to prevent damage from jostling about with other stuff since I carry it to work. I also prefer the understated matte finish on the cards which I think makes them easier to shuffle & to view without glaring side effect. Both the bookcover & the finish give the deck a hand-made appearance, markedly different from any mass-produced decks! I think the bookcover could be a distinguishing characteristic of your decks. I assume most folks remove decks from their cases anyway during transport. The only other deck I have with such a cover is the Tarocco Soprafino (a gift). The cards have no finish on them that I can see. I have small hands but am able to adapt to different-sized decks. Shuffle all of them widthwise using light pressure so the length size is not a problem. & congratulations on selling out the deck!!

le pendu	13 Mar 2004
Karen and Alex, The set arrived from Tarot Garden today and... well.. I am amazed!!!! They are breathtaking! I'll add my voice, as a first impression, I'm almost afraid to touch the cards. A different varnish would probably make me feel more at ease. They are just too beautiful, and I'm afraid of marking them. Thank you for creating such a wonderful piece of art. robert

The Tarot of Prague, separate decks now sold out! thread was originally posted on 10 Mar 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.