"Il Meneghello" Soprafino Tarot deck - how bright and vivid is it?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Nov 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rusty Neon	09 Nov 2004
I've been captivated by the cleanness of the linework and the vividness of the colours of the scans of this deck's plastic cards. Scans at: http://www.spiritone.com/~filipas/Masquerade/Reviews/soprafin.html But are the cards of this deck as vivid in person? The reason I ask is because, in constrast to the Il Meneghello deck scans, the scans of another Soprafino, the one by Edizione Il (??), are quite muddy looking: http://www.themysticeye.com/pics/soprafino.htm . It might be the same publisher but perhaps it's the quality of the scanner or that they're scans of scans. As well, I have the Lo Scarabeo Ancient Italian Tarots (which is a photoreproduction of a Soprafino clone) and the images are very muddy in colour and I see pixel dots in the images. Thanks in advance for any replies!

Gardener	09 Nov 2004
Hi Rusty, how's life in lovely Ottawa? Getting cold yet? I miss you guys and your lovely Tarot Circle. The person to talk to is Jeannette at Tarot Garden. I knew I wanted a Soprafino and it took me a looooooooooooong time to decide which one. She finally got the del Solleone for me, and it is beautiful. The colors are not really as vivid as the scans of the deck in the Spiritone review, personally I suspect that deck is also not quite as vivid in person. Sometimes scans do that. Jeannette also has something that I'm itching to get my hands on, a large folio sized majors only. Beautiful! I am very happy with the deck, though, it's lovely, a pleasing variant on the Marseilles style. Hey, did you ever succumb to your lust for the Minchiate Fiorentine? I still have mine sitting here...

fyreflye	09 Nov 2004
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Little Baron	09 Nov 2004
I think I must have the same one as Fyreflye; I got mine from Alida. The cards are vivid but small; I would say that they are a little less intense than the scans but still beautiful. I also have the 'Ancient Italian'; I see those spots as well but I really like the deck; I use it to read for others with. It is not as beautiful as the Soprafino, imo, but it is kind of like turning the light on in terms of brightness and size. Cerulean is probably a good one to ask. She knows lots about these decks. Yabs

Cerulean	09 Nov 2004
I did see online one vendor that sells the version below---if Rusty Neon or someone contacts me in Nov 2004 about this, I can email the American vendor for price. San Francisco is 50 miles away, but postage is cheaper to me than a vendor mailing to Canada. This listing is taken from tarotgarden.com: Soprafino Tarot Designer(s), Artist(s): Carlo DellaRocca Country of Publication: Italy Number of Cards: 78 Publication Year: 1992 Publication Status: Limited edition of 2,000 copies Description: Reproduction of the famous Carlo DellaRocca deck, from ca. 1835. This edition appears to faithfully reproduce the original images from an original historical copy, without color enhancement or “cleanup work” on the age-related discoloration/staining. Published by the Italian cardmaker il Meneghello for Cavallini & Co. of San Francisco. Tarot Garden Inventory Class: Unavailable / use our search service if you desire assistance with finding this title. I may be able to locate one of the above.... I'm eager to hear about those who own the Solleone versions. The only 22 card large deck that I've seen was actually the Dotti majors, not the Della Rocca/Di Gumppenberg designs. Since I have the Giant Dotti through the De Vecci editions boxed set for a reasonable price, I stopped looking for other similar style sets. Regards, Cerulean P.S. Rusty Neon correctly identified there were two versions discussed in the review that Mark Filpas wrote...I also thought that the ones scanned were the laminated version, which is beautifully dark. My unlaminated ones seems slightly lighter in color when I look at them, one less shade blue--the carmine red coloring of some of the cards seems a touch or two lighter to me, still beautiful nonetheless...

fyreflye	09 Nov 2004
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Gardener	10 Nov 2004
Hi Cerulean! Since Rusty Neon started this thread, I've been looking for my Solleone Soprafino and I can't find it! I'm still unpacking stuff here at Contrascarpe's, and I've found every single deck except that one. So now of course I can't even remember if it's laminated, it's driving me nuts! I do remember that it came in a sturdy brown box the color of shipping paper. It's the small size. I'm so tempted by the giant majors folio, but trying to be fiscally responsible. Do you like your giant Dotti? What do you do with them? Do you ever lay them out for readings?

Rusty Neon	10 Nov 2004
Thanks guys ... This deck, which would appear then to be vivid in person, is definitely going on my wish list, along with the Minchiate Fiorentine. Yaboot and fyreflye ... You mention the cards are small? Did you guys get the mini-tarrochi version of the deck? Gardener ... Thanks to The De-Enabling Thread, I still haven't succumbed to buying the Fiorentine. Fingers crossed. Do visit us in Ottawa.

Little Baron	11 Nov 2004
Hi Rusty. I don't think it is a smaller version, but it is smaller than average tarot cards. They kind of remind me of cigarette cards, even though they are obviously bigger than that; same kind of shape though; quite slim. Yabs

Major Tom	11 Nov 2004
It's available at Alida Store for 22.21 euros. Their website says is 10.5 x 6 centimetres, which is on the small side. Looks like a great reading deck to me. ;)

Ruby7	11 Nov 2004
[quote=Rusty Neon As well, I have the Lo Scarabeo Ancient Italian Tarots (which is a photoreproduction of a Soprafino clone) and the images are very muddy in colour and I see pixel dots in the images. ![/QUOTE] Hi Rusty and thanks a lot! :) I have the Lo Scarabeo Ancient Italian Tarots and was disappointed in exactly what you mention above. I didn't realize that there were better versions available and now that I know I have to put the Soprafino on my wishlist also. Hi Gardener, are you ever coming back to Ottawa :)? All the best, Ruby7

fyreflye	11 Nov 2004
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Rusty Neon	20 Nov 2004
I want/desire/need this deck, even though I already own the LS Ancient Italian Tarot. Help! I require de-enabling!

Alta	20 Nov 2004
Rusty Neon wrote: I want/desire/need this deck, even though I already own the LS Ancient Italian Tarot. Help! I require de-enabling! When the cold rain or freezing rain starts step outside for while. I would think that would cool off just about any impulse. :)

yupkigirl	21 Nov 2004
Rusty Neon wrote: I want/desire/need this deck, even though I already own the LS Ancient Italian Tarot. Help! I require de-enabling! Rusty, I won't be much help here. It is a beautiful deck. Really. I once felt as you do but after reading an interesting article at Tarot Passages by Arnell Ando on meeting the owner of Il Meneghello, Osvaldo Menegazzi, I just gave in bought it @Alida. So happy that I did :)

Tarot Sparrow	23 Nov 2004
I just ordered the Soprafino off Alida...oh MAN! What a beauty...I love the vintage feel of this deck...

Tarot Sparrow	10 Dec 2004
Hey, does anyone know-- I just got my Soprafino (love it! love it!). I ordered it from Alida (#828) in the book-binder style cover with the card pasted on it (not the American version). I read somewhere, on a site by someone that had both versions, that the Italian one in the bookbinder style cover was laminated, and that the American version in the homemade box was unlaminated and had an "old-world feel." I'm wondering--who else ordered from Alida, and is yours laminated? I get confused on the concept--my deck feels more like the Tarot of Prague or Bohemian Cats with their matte laminate--only it's not even THAT smooth--it feels less glossy even than that, still. When I tilt cards in the light, I can hardly notice any kind of sheen, what is there is very faint. The cards feel sturdy and are beautiful the way they are, but I'm wondering if these are the "laminated" version or unlaminated, and if they're not, was I confused?

Paul	10 Dec 2004
Dead Star: I also have the Soprafino - 2 in fact. How I got 2, exactly, I cannot recall. I believe it is Mark Filipas' site reviewing the Soprafino to which you refer. Mine are unlaminated. However, I would like to acquire a laminated version, just for comparison, and to determine how the colors are "vivified" by lamination. Also, the old-world version sometimes seems to museum-like to even use for readings, too delicate. Like, wouldn't they become soft and floppy with continued use? If any knows where to acquire the laminated version, that would be appreciated.Perhaps, I should email Argeo at Alilda store.

yupkigirl	10 Dec 2004
Hi. I got my Soprafino from Alida also. My cards do not feel like they are laminated though. As for the "American version" of the Soprafino, I found this site: http://www.carinacharms.com Just enter "Soprafino" in the search box. I emailed them before asking for the details about the card, but the mails kept bouncing. You could try though. It's around $38 if I remember correctly.

Major Tom	10 Dec 2004
Why did I ever join this thread? I don't need to buy tarot decks... :laugh: I got mine from Alida too. The cards aren't laminated. The corners are square. The reproduction is exquisite. I'm sure they'd be lovely to read with, especially once the corners were bent and the cards floppy. ;) Nothing wows a client like a well-broken in deck. :laugh:

WolfSpirit	10 Dec 2004
I also got my Soprafino from Alida, and I like it the way it is, unlaminated. Although I will have to be more careful with it than with most other decks. A well-broken in deck is fine, but a deck with grease stains on it...not so good. And it looks like it will absorb them like a sponge. I am very happy with the way the deck looks and feels, and I think it will always impress querents.

Ruby7	10 Dec 2004
Dead Star wrote: Hey, does anyone know-- I just got my Soprafino (love it! love it!). I ordered it from Alida (#828) in the book-binder style cover with the card pasted on it (not the American version). I read somewhere, on a site by someone that had both versions, that the Italian one in the bookbinder style cover was laminated, and that the American version in the homemade box was unlaminated and had an "old-world feel." I'm wondering--who else ordered from Alida, and is yours laminated? I get confused on the concept--my deck feels more like the Tarot of Prague or Bohemian Cats with their matte laminate--only it's not even THAT smooth--it feels less glossy even than that, still. When I tilt cards in the light, I can hardly notice any kind of sheen, what is there is very faint. The cards feel sturdy and are beautiful the way they are, but I'm wondering if these are the "laminated" version or unlaminated, and if they're not, was I confused? I remember reading that also and was under the same impression. I haven't ordered mine yet but definitely want a laminated version if it is available. Does anyone have a laminated version? Is Dead Star's version laminated? Ruby7

Paul	10 Dec 2004
yupkigirl wrote: As for the "American version" of the Soprafino, I found this site: http://www.carinacharms.com Just enter "Soprafino" in the search box. I emailed them before asking for the details about the card, but the mails kept bouncing. You could try though. It's around $38 if I remember correctly. Thanks yupkigirl! I can tell you that the box pictured is NOT the typical Il Meneghello book-style box with ribbons that comes with the unlaminated cards; suggesting the laminated version. The box pictured appears to be the standard cardboard, full-enclosed box that we normally see for tarot cards. Moreoever, they mention this was a special edition for Cavallini & Company of San Francisco, which I do not believe is true of the unlaminated Il Meneghello version. Long story short, I ordered one. If it is unlaminated, I'll have a gift for a friend. I'll let everyone know.

Major Tom	10 Dec 2004
Paul wrote: they mention this was a special edition for Cavallini & Company of San Francisco, which I do not believe is true of the unlaminated Il Meneghello version. Mine is number 685/2000. They are not laminated. The cards come just as the Tarot of Prague came. This does at least seem to be a limited edition deck. :)

Paul	10 Dec 2004
Errrrgh. I should have waited just 4 minutes for your post. How does the Tarot of Prague come, Major Tom? I don't have this deck.

Tarot Sparrow	10 Dec 2004
I guess that's a resounding yes for unliminated ;) Which is what I figured. Just that I used to think lamination meant gloss, not matte, and that's not always the case so I thought I'd make sure. I also like them unlaminated; they feel so much more vintage and "old" this way. I love them. It would be nice to have a laminated one though to avoid ruining them. I don't expect to use them for readings very much though, they are just very special cards. The card stock is surprisingly sturdy though-- even the square corners. I think the best way to avoid wearing them out would be to avoid bending them. I shuffled mine yesterday a bit but did it the uh, "other" way (just picking some up and sliding them in between the rest gently) I don't know what people call that cause I hate doing it :D But this deck deserves special treatment. I think if they are shuffled this way it will help maintain their integrity, as long as you don't press down too hard on the edges/corners when sliding them in (I always have trouble shuffling this way so I'll have to get used to it).

Major Tom	11 Dec 2004
Paul wrote: How does the Tarot of Prague come, Major Tom? I don't have this deck. The first edition of the Tarot of Prague came in a type of bookbinding, outter shell tied together with ribbon. The lwb glued to the inside, the cards could slide through the top or bottom and this is how they're removed. The second edition is more conventionally packaged. Tarocco "Soprafino" comes in a similar bookbinding with some differences in details. There is a wax seal on the spine of the binding. The lwb is not glued to the inside. There is an addition, a strip of card, seeming the same as the cards' stock, is bent to wrap around the cards and lwb. There's a separate card with the number of your edition. Personally, I think these cards would stand up to a lifetimes' use. Assuredly an unused deck retains value, but a well used, well loved deck provides more value to the user. I don't know which had the bookbinding first, but I saw the Tarot of Prague first. Again, my opinion, but I won't be reading with mine because I chosen to start reading with my Dusserre Dodal even though they've become hard to find. But I can certainly see why a lover of historical decks would fall in love with this one, and buy a second copy to keep for study. ;) Edited to add: I was just looking back in the thread and realised I may be talking at cross-purpose. The deck I'm describing came from Alida not the American source. Sorry about that. The one you ordered may well be laminated, but I don't know.

Paul	11 Dec 2004
Major Tom wrote: The one you ordered may well be laminated, but I don't know. I emailed the store, who's staff emailed back. The staff said that to their knowledge, this set was indeed still UNlaminated. In fact, they wanted to know where to get the laminated version. The notable difference in boxes is haunting me, though. Perhaps, I'll email them again and ask just how sure they are about those cards being unlaminated. Or, is that obsessive/compulsive?

Tarot Sparrow	11 Dec 2004
Paul--I ordered from Alida (as did many, many other people who've posted recently here) and all our decks are unlaminated. Maybe at one time they had the laminated version, but they don't anymore. If you want my opinion though--I wanted lamination also, but now that I've received them and they're not laminated, I'm glad. They feel SO much more...vintage, and beautiful this way, not like any other deck I own. And the cards are very sturdy, moreso than I think any deck I own. I agree with Major Tom the more I hold them in my hands--I think these cards could stand up to a lifetime of use. They are worth it, too.

The "Il Meneghello" Soprafino Tarot deck - how bright and vivid is it? thread was originally posted on 09 Nov 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.