Seeking info on the Il Meneghello edition of the Tarocco di Besançon

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Jun 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Annabelle	24 Jun 2005
I recently purchased the Il Meneghello edition of the Tarocco di Besançon on eBay, but the seller knew nothing about the deck, and when it arrived I found that it came with no LWB, cover card, etc . . . I just have the box and the set of 78 cards. The label on the box reads: Tarocco di Besançon Sec. XVIII - Francia Ed. Il Meneghello Milano - Italia And that's it - that's all the identifying information I have. After searching for more information, I've found that this seems to be a limited edition deck; however, nothing that came with this set identifies it as a limited edition, so I can't be sure. Does anyone know if Il Meneghello has printed more than one edition of this deck? Or is it reasonable to assume that I've ended up with one of the limited edition copies, one that is missing its numbered identifying card? I also know less than nothing about the history of this deck; I can see that it's a reproduction of a very old deck, but I don't know much else about it yet. If anyone wants to point me towards any information about it, I'd be most grateful. Thanks! :) :)

HearthCricket	25 Jun 2005
Not sure if this is any help, but thought I would post it, anyhow. Perhaps Alida might have some information on it, or if there is an address for Il Meneghello on the box, they might be able to help you. Sounds like a nice deck. http://it.geocities.com/a_pollett/cards28.htm I hope this works...if not PM me with an email and I will send it to you. I am still new at all this forum stuff!

Ross G Caldwell	25 Jun 2005
I have this deck, it is one of my favorites. Tom Tadfor Little has a little to say about this deck (with illustrations) at http://www.tarothermit.com/marseilles.htm There is also a thread on Aeclectic mentioning this deck - http://www.tarotforum.net/archive/index.php/t-30378.html or http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=30378&highlight=besan%E7on See in particular Kenji's pertinent remarks. I bought mine in Paris. It came in a 3/4 wrap open ended, printed with "Le Bateleur" on the front and other cards on the other sides, tied with black ribbons. The label reads exactly as yours, "Tarocco di Besançon/ Sec. XVIII - Francia/ Ed. Il Meneghello / Milano - Italia". There is a wax stamp affixed to the label. In addition to the cards, there is a booklet and a sheet with divinatory meanings for the 22 trumps (only), both in Italian. The booklet says that this is the second edition by Il Meneghello, 2000, and mine is number 230 of 1000 printed. The booklet discusses the general history of the Tarot de Besançon, but does not say where this particular deck is located currently. The two of cups reads "TAROS FIN DE I. B. BENOIS A STRASBOURG". The two of Deniers has no information. The suit of Cups has some handwriting on three cards - on the seven of Cups someone has written "Il Venti" (Twenty) and the number "XX" twice. The nine of Cups is labelled "II" and the ten of Cups is labelled "XI". Perhaps there was a special game with these cards valued at these points. If I can find information on such a game in Dummett and McLeod's "History of Games Played with the Tarot Pack", I'll post it.

Annabelle	25 Jun 2005
Thanks HearthCricket and Ross!! I will definitely check out all the links you've provided. Ross, the packaging of my deck is quite a bit different from yours. Mine is in a lidded cardboard box that appears to be covered in deliberately aged paper. The Empress (L'Imperatrice) is glued to the box lid, and a wax seal covers the bottom right corner of the card. My 2 of Cups reads exactly as yours does. The Ace of Deniers appears to have the letters F I on it, but it is difficult to make it out. And yes, three of my Cups cards have writing on them. I so wish it had come with a booklet and something to identify the edition and/or deck number. Nonetheless, it's a charming deck . . . the more I look at it, the more I like it.

The Seeking info on the Il Meneghello edition of the Tarocco di Besançon thread was originally posted on 24 Jun 2005 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.