Tarocco Soprafino - Classic Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 14 Dec 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Darla	14 Dec 2004
I'm thinking about buying the limited edition of the Tarocco Soprafino (Alida). However, I've also seen the Classic Tarot by Lo Scarabeo. They seem to be very similar and now I'm wondering what the difference is and which one I should get. Can anyone tell me what the difference is, i.e. the actual pictures on the cards, the quality, time period etc. Tarocco Soprafino http://www.spiritone.com/~filipas/Masquerade/Reviews/soprafin.html Classic Tarot http://www.loscarabeo.com/catalogo2004/Catalogo_UK/catalogo.htm Thank you! :) Also, does anyone use a Soprafino for readings?

Paul	14 Dec 2004
Darla - I'll add in some information. No time for a comprehensive review. I've got both decks. Il Mengeghello Soprafino: "authentic" feel, unlaminated, gorgeous coloring, cut from thicker/basic cardstock, square; all in all, like all Meneghello's, the card deck is produced deliberately to re-produce the antique-feel, like the cards were printed just as they were at their inception. When you hold a Meneghello, you feel like you purchased it from an antique auction. Lo Scarabeo Classic Tarot: Modern feel, despite the duplicate imagery of the Soprafrino, printed on modern card stock just like all modern decks, laminated, and with those annoying Lo Scarabeo side borders on the left with the name in 3 or so languages. It could be argued that the lamination brightens the colors a bit, compared to the Soprafino. I prefer the Meneghello.

Darla	14 Dec 2004
Thanks Paul. :) I think I also prefer the IL Mengeghello. But the pictures on the cards are exactly the same?

Jewel-ry	14 Dec 2004
Well Darla, Paul has just about covered the two decks imo, but I do like the Classic too. I use both. J.

Cerulean	14 Dec 2004
The Il Meneghello seems to be 2 and one quarter inches by 4 and one quarter inches, smaller in size. My unlaminated version came in the box set that was commissioned for the U.S. and has very dark reds and greens--where Lo Scarabeo's card tints would be a bright pink and lighter aqua. I find the small card stock on my Il Meneghello to be nice, although the cards came to me with a slight bow. Also, the vintage speckling of ink or stain on the original cards are photoreproduced along with the deeper color image. I don't have the Lo Scarabeo deck any more, but you would find it much bigger and the plastic lamination is slicker. If you want to read for others and the brighter coloring is not a problem for you, then this is industrial strength lamination. Also, Lo Scarabeo cleaned up the images-the cards look fresh, not stained in any way. My experience or reaction to the smaller, less slick cards without lamination and signs of aging is not the same as to the larger Lo Scarabeo cards. I like and plan to keep the smaller version--it was a gift, as well, and I am delighted to have received it. Regards, Cerulean P.S. Hope the link below gives you a better look at some of the cards from the Il Meneghello: http://l-pollett.tripod.com/cards3.htm Sorry my answer was in haste and hope it is helpful--let us know what works for you!

Darla	15 Dec 2004
Thank you all. I think I'm going to order the Il Meneghello. It will probably be interesting to have a deck with such an authentic feel. I just hope that I'm going to be able to read the pips! For my Christmas break I'm planning to study them with the Soprafino and the Marseilles.

The Tarocco Soprafino - Classic Tarot thread was originally posted on 14 Dec 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.