How many decks?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 Nov 2001, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Moonklad	21 Nov 2001
I just saw a post on here that someone had 80 decks! WOW! I might as well take my tiny 5 deck collection and slink away to the corner. Seriously though, that got me wondering who has the most tarot decks here. So here goes..how many decks do YOU have?? Also, does anyone know if there is a tarot museum anywhere in the USA? Blessings, Moonklad

Jewel	21 Nov 2001
I certainly do not have the most decks, but I have a nice collection :) I have 51 decks with 2 more on their way. Never feel like you should "shrink away" ... what is important is that you value your collection no matter how large or small ... quality vs. quantity. The one good thing though ~giggles~ at least you know you can ask about decks that interest you and one of us is bound to be able to answer your question and provide you with information that can help you decide what decks you want in the future ;) As for a Tarot Museum I am not aware of one but there are 3 volumes of the Tarot Encyclopedia that have pictures of tons of decks! Love & Light,

Logiatrix	21 Nov 2001
yeah, i have 80ish decks--most of them purchased used at half the retail price--i'm a tarot-holic! i have been fortunate in that, so far, they are all in good condition; in fact, i found lots of them "just opened" and not even out of order. a few OOP--these are the ones i consider little victories! :D before i discovered tarot, i was heavily into collecting antiquarian books for several years, but this is a very expensive hobby, and takes up much more shelf space than tarot! however, i still go "hunting" in the same venues, but now it is to find tarots instead of old books! i have found as many as twenty used decks at one shop, and still haven't paid as much as i used to pay for just one antique book! buying en masse was the reason the collection grew so quickly, but lately i've mostly gifted, sold or traded my finds. i'd be glad to find decks for others here on the forum...just let me know what it is you seek--i thoroughly enjoy the search! ;)

EveAnna	21 Nov 2001
I now have five full decks and one small deck of 22 Majors. I'm not a really a collector and all my decks get used :)

cj	21 Nov 2001
Hi all, I have about 15 to16 decks. Small child is sleeping in my room so this is just a rough est. WHERE DO YOU FIND USED TAROT???? I would love to pick up a ..errrr..few more decks and am not picky. Keep the collecting up. cj

faunabay	21 Nov 2001
I have 25 tarot or divination type decks (mostly tarot). And one more in the mail on it's way!!! Then I also have a set of runes and the crystal wisdom kit. But I've also got 3 or 4 ?? on my christmas list so hopefully by the end of the year I'll have some more. :P

Melvis	23 Nov 2001
I think my deck total is up to 36...I seem to keep finding them in various rooms of my house. I think they keep finding the rooms they're comfortable in and just stay there! :D I visit a couple local used bookstores often (at least once a week) and one of them had a Call List, where you tell them what subject or author you're specifically looking for, and they enter your name in the computer. Then, whenever they get any Tarot decks, they call me. It's an excellent service! Last week I picked up the Morgan-Greer and Art Nouveau Tarots this way. Peace, Melvis

fairyhedgehog	24 Nov 2001
Wow! I've got two decks and one more on its way from amazon (if it ever gets here, I ordered it over a month ago). I've got a long way to go yet. I must admit I never thought that second hand bookshops would have Tarot cards. I'll have to check it out locally. All the best, FH

Lilliana	24 Nov 2001
I only have three. The thoth, the mythic and good old rider waite. I did have another weird deck which I got at a 2 dollar shop but I gave it away. I'm not really a collector (can't afford it) but would like to pick up a few more decks. I'll have to check out some used book shops. Lilli

Kiama	24 Nov 2001
Well, I only have 25 decks, but considering I've been collecting for a bit less than a year, and I only work 10 hours a week on a pitiful wage, I'm extremely proud of my collection. Each time I buy a new deck to add to it, I go home and I just sit down and think that it's a new treasure. To me, it is. I don't know why, but I just love buying decks! Kiama

tarotbear	24 Nov 2001
I have about 30 decks, mostly tarot but also some divination-type decks, including some I was given written in Czech!

JustBlue	24 Nov 2001
I own three Tarot decks, and one Oracle. My most recent addition (Tarot of the Spirit), I am growing to really love. I am quite pleased with my small "collection".

deso	24 Nov 2001
Okay, just finished counting them. I have 40 tarot or non-tarot decks!!! ........... must get to 500 mark .......... must get to 500 mark....... Ya right!!!! I'd settle for 50 :D

Jewel	26 Nov 2001
Quote: metaz (22 Nov, 2001 04:31): yeah, i have 80ish decks--most of them purchased used at half the retail price--i'm a tarot-holic! i have been fortunate in that, so far, they are all in good condition; in fact, i found lots of them "just opened" and not even out of order. a few OOP--these are the ones i consider little victories! :D before i discovered tarot, i was heavily into collecting antiquarian books for several years, but this is a very expensive hobby, and takes up much more shelf space than tarot! however, i still go "hunting" in the same venues, but now it is to find tarots instead of old books! i have found as many as twenty used decks at one shop, and still haven't paid as much as i used to pay for just one antique book! buying en masse was the reason the collection grew so quickly, but lately i've mostly gifted, sold or traded my finds. i'd be glad to find decks for others here on the forum...just let me know what it is you seek--i thoroughly enjoy the search! ;) Metaz you are my hero!!! *LOL*. I think I may call on you for some assistance as soon as I get in order what I want to find. I can tell you straight up that one deck I would love to get my hands on is the Jungian Tarot. Are you in the US? Like you I am a tarot-holic (and proud of it! *LOL*). Love & Light,

Strange2	26 Nov 2001
I have 35 decks now, most of which I've received in the last 6 months since I caught Tarotitis ;-) I've slowed down in my collecting recently, so I can focus on studying and getting to know these new companions in my life. Of course, I still have a long wish list, and am always on the lookout for bargains or rare finds.

Logiatrix	26 Nov 2001
jewel, i'd be glad to help you enhance your collection--i love connecting tarots to their people! yes, i am in the southwest USA, and have already accomplished several successful exchanges thru this forum. i inventorried (sp?) my collection this weekend--the current count is 118 decks! however, none of them is in CZECH (tarotbear, you lucky ursine :p ), so there is definitely something to be said for quality over quantity! i am listing several for trade or sale over in the applicable category...see you there!

Jewel	27 Nov 2001
Quote: metaz (27 Nov, 2001 07:40): jewel, i'd be glad to help you enhance your collection--i love connecting tarots to their people! yes, i am in the southwest USA, and have already accomplished several successful exchanges thru this forum. i inventorried (sp?) my collection this weekend--the current count is 118 decks! however, none of them is in CZECH (tarotbear, you lucky ursine :p ), so there is definitely something to be said for quality over quantity! i am listing several for trade or sale over in the applicable category...see you there! Thank you so much!!! I will be in touch *LOL* ... I have no decks in CZECH, care for a book in Japanese and one in German *ROFLMAO*. Love & Light,

tarotbear	27 Nov 2001
Don't think there is a Tarot museum anywhere, although I'd vote on Salem Mass or New Orleans to house one. Last year there was a travelling exhibit of tarot and cards in art, which included the works of Pamela Coleman Smith in it-- I wish I had time to see it since it was only across the state from me! The Bienieke Rare book library at Yale has some of the original Sfzorza deck in their archives-- sorry-- not for public viewing. One wonders why US Games ( also here in CT) does not have a card museum, since Stu Kaplan has one of the largest private card collections in the world.

purplelady	29 Nov 2001
I have............well , I will have 32 decks when my latest arrives here in about a week (The Whimsical tarot, I'm so excited!)I also have at least one book to go with every deck. Yes, they are expensive, but I'm addicted! And I Love every single one of them. I sometimes think I love them more than the other members of my family. just kidding!

Jewel	29 Nov 2001
Quote: purplelady (30 Nov, 2001 07:47): I have............well , I will have 32 decks when my latest arrives here in about a week (The Whimsical tarot, I'm so excited!)I also have at least one book to go with every deck. Yes, they are expensive, but I'm addicted! And I Love every single one of them. I sometimes think I love them more than the other members of my family. just kidding! I soooooo relate to what you just said ~giggle, sniker, snort~

di	30 Nov 2001
Well I'm new to tarot reading so every time I find a deck at the base exchange, I buy it. I'm up to 4 now. Celtic Dragon, my 1st, Robin Wood, Celtic (by some italian artist), and The Secret Tarot.

The How many decks? thread was originally posted on 21 Nov 2001 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.