The aura of out-of-print but still available decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Aug 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rusty Neon	07 Aug 2004
I hope I'm not the only one. Whenever I hear of a deck being OOP but still available at certain stores, I have this desire [which i'm usually able to control] to buy the deck -- even though it's a deck that I wouldn't be buying or planning to buy if still in print. It's not that I'm planning to profit on a re-sale; it's more that I won't be able to readily see the demos of that deck at the store once the last customer copy is sold or, if I ever change my mind, be able to easily buy it in the future. A feeling of missing out. No, I am not a collector. :)

fyreflye	07 Aug 2004
In my part of the world discontinued tarot decks show up in local bookstores as remainders at half or a third their original prices. If I see a well-regarded deck that's nevertheless discontinued I'll buy it partly out of curiosity and partly for the possibility of a future sale or trade. I got the William Blake Tarot autographed by Ed Buryn for $16 and a second edition of the Merlin Tarot for $10 this way. I'm still pretty picky; I'd never buy a remaindered Hello Kitty or sell my Blake, and I despise the I Am One Tarot so heartily that I sold it for peanuts though I'm sure one day it will become a collectible.

tao51	08 Aug 2004
I agree with you, I am not a collector. I use my decks even some that others do not like. I could care less if an oop deck is soon to be valuable or not. I have several decks but I bought none of them to add to a collection. There are oop decks that I wish I had bought but...it wasn't in the cards!!!!--Tao

WolfSpirit	08 Aug 2004
I know what you mean Rusty - just the fact that the deck may become hard to find the next time makes it more desirable. If I had not planned on buying it I may consider it right then - but if it really does not appeal to me I will still not buy it. Unless I know for sure someone wants this deck, then I will trade/sell it straight away if I know someone will be happy with it. I don't need to make a profit on it, I have myself received an oop deck in trade for another non-rare deck here.

crystal cove	08 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Rusty Neon A feeling of missing out. No, I am not a collector. :) I used to feel that way until someone mentioned here that most OOPs are decks that didn't sell well to begin with. Took the aura right out of it for me. It doesn't make sense to me to pay top dollar for something that no one originally wanted to begin with....unless of course I've always liked and wanted it. Plus, everything is SO mass marketed these days that I really think any deck that has been printed in the last 10 years or so would be able to be had with a little detective work. As far as feeling as though you're missing out, that's exactly how all marketers WANT you to feel, regardless of what the product is. Its how they make their money. I try to focus on that when that "feeling" comes over me. I hate marketing ploys and I REALLY hate feeling like I've been "had", so it's easier to get over it now. I find that keeping my "wish" list current helps reduce the panic that sets in when the OOPs hit. This way I'm really clear on what it is that I really want and it helps to tell myself that I really didn't want it to begin with.

Ruby7	08 Aug 2004
This definitely has an effect on me. I sort of wanted the Buckland Romani, then it became out of print and I wanted it even more and I still haven't managed to find it at a reasonable price. I have decided that I will only get it if I see it somewhere (not going out of my way to search online and order online) Ruby7

Rusty Neon	08 Aug 2004
I find that the OOP but still available decks that most tempt me (but I usually still don't give in :)) are decks that were on my wish list, or slipped in position on my wish list, or fell off onto my 'maybe' list. And then there are those decks that were on my wish list but I kept hesitating about. I wish that I had picked up the Kalevala deck when I had the chance; that one was on my 'kept hestitating' wish list for a long time.

Fulgour	08 Aug 2004
Dear Rusty Neon, Thanks to a thread you started on Jean Dodal, and the very kind offer of assistance by kenji, I now have the Dusserre edition of that deck. Also, I was very glad to hear when you found the Editions de l'Aigle 1927 Oswald Wirth Tarot for your collection. How wonderful it really is! Sincerely, Fulgour

Jewel-ry	08 Aug 2004
Hi there Rusty, I bought the Royal Fez Moroccan from a trader on e-bay for about £5. I got that because it was OOP and seemed such a bargain! I also bought the Alchemical when I saw it in a local shop for £10. Neither of these decks are really me and are just sitting in their packaging, its a bit of a waste really. I daresay I will trade them one day. I have learnt my lesson though and try to be a little more selective thesedays. When all is said and done the decks I use the most are my TdM's, Crystal and Tarot of Prague. Most of the others are not used. Oh, and I'm not a collector either ;)

Aun	09 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by twenty~one It doesn't make sense to me to pay top dollar for something that no one originally wanted to begin with.... I don't think like that. As far as I can see, many awesome decks, like the Alchemical, the Hermetic and the Magickal just to name a few, went OOP maybe for having a more complex or esoterical symbolism. It seems that 'easier-to-grasp' decks fall in the grace of the general public, keeping their sales sky high. The Buckland Romani just went OOP, and its an amazing deck. If I find a copy of the Hermetic deck i.e., I'd pay up to $100 without any hesitation...

arcanalefait	09 Aug 2004
I hear you, Ruby7! I want that deck so bad, but I keep trying to find a good price. :) Arcana Quote: Originally posted by Ruby7 This definitely has an effect on me. I sort of wanted the Buckland Romani, then it became out of print and I wanted it even more and I still haven't managed to find it at a reasonable price. I have decided that I will only get it if I see it somewhere (not going out of my way to search online and order online) Ruby7

Black*Cat	10 Aug 2004
Hi Rusty - the Kalevala is available here for AUS$33.50 (I think our $ is roughly equivalent to yours). I don't know whether that's a good price or not, but if you want it I could get it & post it to you. The Haunted Bookshop seems to have a couple of other OOP decks, but since I'm not aware of the going prices I don't know whether they're worth it. http://www.haunted.com.au/catalogue/tarot.html Black*Cat Quote: Originally posted by Rusty Neon I find that the OOP but still available decks that most tempt me (but I usually still don't give in :)) are decks that were on my wish list, or slipped in position on my wish list, or fell off onto my 'maybe' list. And then there are those decks that were on my wish list but I kept hesitating about. I wish that I had picked up the Kalevala deck when I had the chance; that one was on my 'kept hestitating' wish list for a long time.

The The aura of out-of-print but still available decks thread was originally posted on 07 Aug 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.