Decks worth saving

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

ros	25 Feb 2004
I figure 30 years from now Tarot Reading & the cards will be a common thing. For decks we have now, does anyone think they will be worth saving? For example if you pay $40. for a deck what will it be worth? Thanks for any replys.

Aerten	25 Feb 2004
Well, since everyone knows it makes you look more authentic if your deck is a few decades old, I'm sure any mysterious looking deck with a lot of obscure esoteric symbolism will appeal to the truly image-conscious card collecter thirty years from now. :P

Jewel-ry	26 Feb 2004
I'm interested in the replies here. I bought from e-bay last week a sealed copy of the Royal Fez Moroccan, I didnt particularly anker after it but it was so cheap £5. When it arrived I didn't feel the need to open it so it sits on my shelf, still wrapped. I am wondering if its worth keeping it that way! J :)

Indigo Rose	26 Feb 2004
Yep, I would keep it wrapped. You never know what it could be worth someday. ??

Kiama	26 Feb 2004
I am hoping that my deck collection will be a nice nest-egg for my grandchildren/great grandchildren one day. If you think about it, most of the decks we are buying now, in the future will be out of print. And these days we're hankering after all the old OOP decks that were in print 10-20 years ago, but not anymore! The other day I saw a Folchi deck go for over £600 on Ebay, and the Hermetic Tarot I have seen go for upwards of £100. One day, the decks that we have now in print will be worth a hell of alot of money. I hope... :D }) Kiama

crystal cove	26 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by ros I figure 30 years from now Tarot Reading & the cards will be a common thing. For decks we have now, does anyone think they will be worth saving? For example if you pay $40. for a deck what will it be worth? Thanks for any replys. I don't think that there is any way to know what a deck will be worth. Age isn't the only criteria. The bottom line is: How available will it be? We live in an age where everyone collects everything. What drives the price up is rarity. Unless a deck is rare right now, I highly doubt there will be enough scarcity for the price to rise much. Everything is mass-produced in such large quantities now that the only ones that will be worth a lot are the ones produced before the tarot craze started. Plus, second and third printings of cards will keep demand for the original decks to just those who want to collect old decks. Case in point: Remember everyone flocking to stores for Beanie Babies? The rationale was that they were going to become collector's items. Huh? With as many as they produced? Most of the ones that were sold at the height of the craze are not going for anymore than the original price......except the ones that were "rare" just BEFORE the craze, or the ones that were limited edition.

Imagemaker	26 Feb 2004
Quote: Everything is mass-produced in such large quantities now Except the ones put out by the artists themselves in small numbers. Those "individual vision" self-published decks seem like the collectibles to me.

crystal cove	26 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Imagemaker Except the ones put out by the artists themselves in small numbers. Those "individual vision" self-published decks seem like the collectibles to me. Exactly. However, the other half of SUPPLY is demand. Unless the demand is greater than the limited supply by the artist, the price will not rise.

Imagemaker	26 Feb 2004
Well, the original question was "30 years from today" so maybe the demand (interest?) then will create collectibility. For many collectors, it's the hunt that's half the fun.

Rusty Neon	26 Feb 2004
(1) On the SUPPLY side, a danger of collectively out-fo-print decks is that there may be a re-release of the deck. This may not be as much of a problem where the original edition is "different" enough from the re-release: e.g., different in certain cards, art/cottage-published edition vs. mass-production plastic edition. It's fortunate that some decks that are re-released are different enough in their re-released edition. For example, the creator of the Mountain Dream Tarot re-released the deck with changes to some of the images. Same thing I believe for the Rock N Roll Tarot (Chris Paradis)? As well, imagine if some deck that's OOP is re-released in substantially identical form? ... for instance, if U.S. Games decides 30 years from now to finally re-release the Hermetic Tarot deck. (2) For this reason, an OOP deck that may certainly be worth a lot 30 years from now is the Rock N Roll Tarot by Chris Paradis. Firstly, he may apparently have copyright problems (e.g., because of the song lyrics reproduced on the cards) that would stop him from ever mass-producing the deck or even producing a third (cottage) edition. Secondly, the vintage rock 'n roll theme has a mass-culture appeal.

crystal cove	26 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Imagemaker For many collectors, it's the hunt that's half the fun. Don't I know it! All I have to do now is figure out what to do with all the "fun" I've no interest in anymore. :D

crystal cove	26 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Rusty Neon (1) As well, imagine if some deck that's OOP is re-released in substantially identical form? ... for instance, if U.S. Games decides 30 years from now to finally re-release the Hermetic Tarot deck. I completely agree. I've wondered that more than once, especially being that I paid $150 for the Hermetic just last summer. ;) Good thing I love it and would never part with it. However, forget 30 years from now, they could decide to bring it back in the same form TOMORROW and there goes the rarity that made my deck "worth" $150. All in six months. It happened with the re-release of the Jungian a few years ago as well. Bottom line for me is, I buy decks because they have some value other than money to me. There is just too much not in my control to hope that they may be worth a lot of money some day. Don't get me wrong, that would be great, but I'm not counting on it.

baba-prague	26 Feb 2004
I certainly have a few decks put away, though how long I'll hang on to them I don't really know. Must say that we've put aside some Tarot of Prague too. A design critic friend bought about ten to store and we thought "hang on a minute, if she is doing it, shouldn't we?" But who really knows? The main reason I put ToP aside is really just to be sure I have some copies. I used to make visual work that sold very well and now sometimes I really wish I'd kept some for myself. This may be a good place to say that it looks more and more likely that we will reprint Tarot of Prague separate decks (we really have run out more or less completely and summer is coming when they will certainly be needed here). However, a lot of things will be different - some unavoidably (doubt we can do the full bookbinder cover again, unless the bookbinder can be talked round - it took him longer than he expected) and some because we want changes - I want to do a different "alternative" card next time. maybe Temperance in fact. So the second edition will probably look and feel very distinct (all assuming it does get done). I'm glad about this, because I think first editions should be unique if possible - it just adds something. In general I do think tarot is becoming more and more popular, so older and more unusual decks are surely going to be increasingly desirable to people who collect?

Teranar	26 Feb 2004
My question is: Which will be worth more in the future? I would pay more for a well worn much loved deck that's 30 years old than a deck that's hardly been used in 30 years, but other people would see it far differently. Think of those guys at comic book/hobby shops and those old collectabe card games like Magic: The Gathering. They'd go rabid for a rare old card in mint condition, barely used and seemingly preserved, and they do the same for old comic books. The less used they are for them the 'better'. Would we, as tarot readers/collectors, see it the same way? I won't. -Teranar

Emily	26 Feb 2004
Older versions of decks that have been re-printed are probably worth hanging onto. Also decks that have obvious flaws like the Lo Scarabeo Crystal Tarot - some of the cards of the Majors have been printed reversed, now if this deck gets corrected, the original deck will be worth holding onto. But I also think that some of the decks we are useing today will be collectable in maybe 10, 20, 30 years, just so long as the card stock is good.

Nevada	26 Feb 2004
Hubby and I have had this discussion ... several times. What to save? What to leave in its package? What to actually use for its intended purpose? I firmly believe in reading my books and reading with my cards. If they wear out it's a sign they're loved. That said, I belong to a book list where someone recently mentioned that they like to buy the hardcover edition of a book and keep it unread and pristine, then also buy it in paperback to read. I know of book collectors who would be appalled if an author signed a book with a ballpoint pen rather than a Sharpie. (Maybe I should collect Sharpies? Or ballpoint pens? Which will be worth more in 50 years? Will I be alive in 50 years? Will I care?) :joke: Personally I think all the collecting has gotten out of hand, so out of hand that the collecting frenzy has devalued items that would otherwise have value, because there were so many collectors saving them. You can find first editions of bestsellers for sale for a penny at Amazon (not including shipping). I prefer to collect what I love, and enjoy my things rather than stress over what their value will be years from now. I don't want to collect things that sit on shelves unused and are never even removed from their packaging. I believe the spirit that is put into a thing when it's made has a purpose, and I don't believe that's to sit on a shelf for eons. I see this as waste. But that's just me. Still the whole idea of something increasing in value just because it sits for so long holds a certain fascination. Nevada

Silverlotus	26 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Nevada Personally I think all the collecting has gotten out of hand, so out of hand that the collecting frenzy has devalued items that would otherwise have value, because there were so many collectors saving them. You can find first editions of bestsellers for sale for a penny at Amazon (not including shipping). [/b] I totally agree. Everyone collects everything with the thought that one day something might just make them rich (or at least a little more comfortable). But, it is a buyer's market and is likely to remain so for many, many years to come. It is often relatively easy to find the item you covet now, thanks to the internet and sites like eBay. I remember when Michael Jackson sticker cards were worth big bucks because they were hard to find, but now you can buy them on eBay cheaply from someone on hundreds of miles away. Really, I don't expect any of my decks or books to ever be worth any money. One of my decks, the Tarot of the Cloisters, recently went OOP. Even though I don't really care for it, I thought about hanging on to it. But, why bother? If someone out there would enjoy it and use it, I'd gladly trade it away. I'm not going to horde it in hopes that I can cash in one day.

crystal cove	26 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Emily Older versions of decks that have been re-printed are probably worth hanging onto. Also decks that have obvious flaws like the Lo Scarabeo Crystal Tarot - some of the cards of the Majors have been printed reversed, now if this deck gets corrected, the original deck will be worth holding onto. But I also think that some of the decks we are useing today will be collectable in maybe 10, 20, 30 years, just so long as the card stock is good. Hi Emily, I'm interested in the flaws. Is there a thread that you know of that addresses them? I did a search but didn't find one.

Chronata	27 Feb 2004
I have been in the middle of several different collector's booms(and by middle of...I mean as part of the industry during the boom!)...and survived through all of them (from comics to beanies) I am not sure if ...at this moment in time...there will be an explosion of tarot deck collectors... although it does seem likely that at some point, someone from outside the "tarot industry" (ie...NOT a reader...or collector) will think..."hey, I wonder if I can make lots of money with this..."and then others will follow suit. The popularity of E-Bay...and it's influence on all collectables makes this likely. Currently, I don't think the serious collectors...like those of us on Aeclectic, who don't just collect them for future "investment potential" really care much about whether a deck is still wrapped in it's original packaging...(although having the box and book will likely help) I don't forsee tarot cards becomming like...say, trading cards...where keeping them mint in package, and unopened is going to increase the value. Real collectors...(who are those that survive any collector boom)...care more about the art, the quality and the rareness... and will want to look at, and feel, every card. I have been a paripheral participant in the antique and collectabe industry for about 15 years. While I don't consider myself an expert, I have been really good at accurately predicting trends.(although that might be the Tarot reader in me, as well! :) ) What I see happening is that any deck that retails for a lot of money to begin with (say over $50 US) will continue to increase in value. Any deck that is a limited edition, with no real chance of republishing, (rock N roll...I'm talking about you!)or an artist deck, (Folchi, Menagazzi, and the ilk) will also increase among true collectors. Any deck that is a self published limited edition artist deck, will also likely increase in value. The decks that will invaribly end up going for way too much money, or will spark the interest of the "investors"will be the bulk of theme decks with pop culture or current timlieness. (here...and I make this statement general...but please don't be mad! are a good portion of the Lo Scarebeo decks) I really feel that a tarot collector boom might be on the horizon. Whether it will be good for the artists and current deck collectors...remains to be seen!

Kissa	27 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Nevada I prefer to collect what I love, and enjoy my things rather than stress over what their value will be years from now. I agree. Kissa Edited to add: and with what Siverlotus wrote too...

miss_apples	27 Feb 2004
I just couldnt imagine buying a deck just to let it sit around. If I buy I deck Im gonna use it! I guess Im just not the deck collecting type.

Agathe	27 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by ros I figure 30 years from now Tarot Reading & the cards will be a common thing. For decks we have now, does anyone think they will be worth saving? For example if you pay $40. for a deck what will it be worth? Thanks for any replys. Ros, just imagine...when you become a very famous taort reader then all your decks will be worth a lot :D. Agathe

Agathe	27 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by miss_apples I just couldnt imagine buying a deck just to let it sit around. If I buy I deck Im gonna use it! I guess Im just not the deck collecting type. Don't worry miss_apples, I'm exactly the same. I have to open the box just for the sake of opening it :D. I need to take cards in my hands and look at each and every of them. I would do literally crazy if I didn't do it! Agathe

The Decks worth saving thread was originally posted on 25 Feb 2004 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.