How many decks makes you a collector?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Sep 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

rabble	23 Sep 2004
Ferrous and I were just discussing things, including my order for the mary-el limited edition. She says I'm officially a collector now. I said I only have five decks. She says any more than three and you're a collector. She made that rule up. .... " & if you have specific reasons (excuses) for having each deck then you're *definitely* a collector." So... how many decks does it take to make one a collector? :)

Rusty Neon	23 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by rabble So... how many decks does it take to make one a collector? :) A quick post ... A collector is someone who 'collects'. In the current context, 'collects' has at least two different relevant meanings. To 'collect' could mean to 'bring or come together; assemble, accumulate'. Under that definition, someone who owns as few as 2 tarot decks might arguably be a 'collector' of tarot decks. :) Under another meaning, to 'collect' could mean to 'systematically seek and acquire (e.g., books, stamps, coins) as a continuing hobby'. Under that definition, someone who is in the business of tarot card reading, or has a hobby of tarot card reading, and owns 20 tarot decks but uses every one of those decks in the pursuit of that business or hobby of tarot card reading might not be a collector of tarot decks. On the other hand, for example, someone who has 20 tarot decks but doesn't use all or most of them as reading decks or study decks but instead acquired those non-reading, non-study decks as a hobby in its own right [i.e., the hobby of seeking and acquiring tarot decks] would probably be a 'collector' of tarot cards. However, someone who owns 20 decks that they have bought in the course of looking for an a compatible reading deck (or bought those various decks and read with them for a while, then moved on to another prospect) might not be a 'collector' of tarot cards. In that case, those decks were accumulated otherwise than in the pursuit of seeking and acquiring decks as a hobby. I have purchased the Servants of the Light and the Hoi Polloi decks because I chanced upon them in the used bookstore, even though I had no desire to use them as reading or study decks. I just couldn't not buy them. So I guess I must be a 'collector' of tarot decks. :) * Reference: The Canadian Oxford Dictionary

Mesara	23 Sep 2004
I think more than 3 decks constitutes a "collection". I never thought of myself as a collector of tarot decks until someone asked me "why do you need so many decks?" I couldn't really come up with a good answer. I don't really "need" all my decks, but I absolutely love having them and I love shopping for new ones. Thats when it kinda dawned on me that I was a collector of sorts, though the idea is still kind of wierd to me.

Le_Corsair	23 Sep 2004
As with murder, collecting is a matter of intent. Bob :THERM

Teranar	23 Sep 2004
I've always thought about myself as a collector wannabe - I WANT one of every deck. Why? Just cause... my greatest desire is to have a deck on hand for anyone's specific case, like just from what I feel they're like - their aura if you believe in that - and their problem and get a deck appropriate for the situation. However with 3 decks, one in storage, one in another city, and no cash, this is kinda impossible, but I can keep wishing and looking at decks... So desiring, or having the intent to have more decks, in this sense I guess makes me a collector.

SongDeva	23 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Le_Corsair As with murder, collecting is a matter of intent. Bob :THERM Hear hear! Errr....yeah.

ladymermaid	23 Sep 2004
i think owning more then one tarot deck makes you a collector.

yve	23 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by ladymermaid i think owning more then one tarot deck makes you a collector. I agree...since technically we only need one deck to read with...anything more makes us a collector...in my opinion :)

Myrrha	23 Sep 2004
Intent has a lot to do with it. If you read with more than one deck that doesn't make you a collector. Each deck provides a different "take" on tarot. Even re-coloring the RWS gives a different emotional tone to the reading. When I feel in myself a desire to, for example, own all the decks by Robert Plaice that is a collecting desire. It is the desire to have a full set. This is different from the desire to try reading with decks that are different from each other in order to see the world and myself reflected in different ways. If you own more than three books does that make you a book collector? --Myrrha

Ace	23 Sep 2004
According to some decorating books I have read, having three of a type of object makes it a collection. On the other hand, I have several decks including 3 signed ones, and I DON'T consider myself a collector!

jlbvt	23 Sep 2004
Maybe it's not the quantity... I think you are a collector if: You buy decks you know you probably won't use, just to have them. You buy decks not to use, but to review/analyse them. You have a box full of Tarot Decks, and you have no idea what's on the bottom anymore. You but a deck because it may go out of print, fearing you won't be able to get it when (and if) you decide you like it in the future. You but a deck thinking, "I wil give it to [friend's name here] " but then you can't give it away. I think mainly having more decks than you use on a regular basis makes you a "collector."

rabble	24 Sep 2004
I think it's the intent, more than the quantity too. I suppose I am a collector. I have bought decks that I doubt I will ever use. I bought them because they appealed to me, and I just wanted them!

smokey	24 Sep 2004
All great answers, but I think Rusty Neon and jlbvt have it down "pat";(IMHO)!

WolfSpirit	24 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Rusty Neon Under that definition, someone who is in the business of tarot card reading, or has a hobby of tarot card reading, and owns 20 tarot decks but uses every one of those decks in the pursuit of that business or hobby of tarot card reading might not be a collector of tarot decks. On the other hand, for example, someone who has 20 tarot decks but doesn't use all or most of them as reading decks or study decks but instead acquired those non-reading, non-study decks as a hobby in its own right [i.e., the hobby of seeking and acquiring tarot decks] would probably be a 'collector' of tarot cards. However, someone who owns 20 decks that they have bought in the course of looking for an a compatible reading deck (or bought those various decks and read with them for a while, then moved on to another prospect) might not be a 'collector' of tarot cards. In that case, those decks were accumulated otherwise than in the pursuit of seeking and acquiring decks as a hobby. Great post Rusty :) I think I am a hybrid collector: I have more decks than I can use regularly, but I have never bought a deck just because it was hard to find, cheap or to "complete a series". If I am a collector, it is definitely a different kind from stamp collectors.

morandia	24 Sep 2004
to me a collector is someone who has more than they can use... if you are switching between 3,4, or 5 decks for readings, then you are not necessarily a collector. if you have some decks just because you like then and don't actively use them, then you are a collector. i don't think it's a number....

blackroseivy	24 Sep 2004
Oddly enough, I consider myself something of a collector, because I have 17 decks plus 1 in the mail & 2 pending ordering. I can't use all my decks all the time, but I feel drawn to my decks & *want* to use all of them! At the same time, acquiring decks really *is* a hobby with me - it's like a sport, there's one that you just *have* to have that is really difficult of acquisition (right now, for me that's the Giger set w/cd, which I am about to order from Tarot Garden, even though I can't really afford it). That's another thing - if you're driven to buy these things despite a serious lack of cash, I say that this gives you the instinct of a collector, even if you read with them. As was brought up about books: "collecting" them implies acquiring them without intent to read them. But if what if you are someone who is both? You want to have those rarities, & read them too - to paraphrase the old saying. What's wrong with that? I think I collect Tarot decks, & I read them, too! Kindly don't make me choose!!! :P

lunar_rabbit	24 Sep 2004
I don't have very many decks (yet!), because I can't justify purchasing them. But I wonder if it counts that I drool over them online? LOL! I own 2 that I use, 1 that I bought and never got the hang of, and one oracle deck. But I'm always on the look out for the next One. So I guess I'm a collector wannabe, too. To answer the question, I think that 3 or more is a fair number. 10 or more might bump you up to AVID collector. ;-)

Nevada	24 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Le_Corsair As with murder, collecting is a matter of intent. Bob is right. I have 17 decks now, but I don't think of myself as a collector, more as a student (and sometime reader). If I were a collector I would take greater pains at preservation and acquiring unusual or out-of-print decks. I like decks I can read with and live with. So I'm . . . not guilty! :D (But I could be at some future time.) Nevada

Umbrae	24 Sep 2004
Number of decks? Personally, I don’t think that quanity determines if you are a collector. There is one aspect that nobody’s covered. Value. One ‘rare’ (dependant upon availability, not year of publication) high value deck can make you a collector. Of course it requires intent to go out and spend $400 on a single Tarot Deck… Value + Intent =

Leleii	24 Sep 2004
I own fifty decks so I guess that makes me a collector. Everyone of my decks, teaches me something new about the tarot, even the ones I don't like. I am looking for the elusive special deck that just clicks with me. I don't think I will find it. I think its just an illusion, something not real.. I want three more decks that are not out yet. Maybe then my collection of decks will be complete. I don't know. I use the decks I have and I am generally happy with what I have and sometimes I want to give them all away and just keep one. The question will be which one will I keep... Anyway I am rambling now so I will end this post....

blackroseivy	24 Sep 2004
Actually, it's not quite year of publication or even availability, but rather supply vs. *demand* that determines a collectable (i.e. a deck can be very rare & even almost unique, & not be a collectable). It's how much the other guy wants it, in other words. (Witness, for example, the "Greenwood".) I am also going to keep whatever decks I get that are collectible as pristine as possible; that doesn't mean I'm not going to use them, but they sure aren't going to get warped like my "Enchanted" has, through being too damn stiff to shuffle! :P For example, I keep my Viscontis as pristine as possible, shuffling carefully & using them seldom, because they are relatively valuable. I have a collector's mentality, but I want to be able to *play* with *my* toys!! I'm someone who would collect cars & *drive* that vintage Porsche!! You know what I mean?

shelikes2read	24 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by danubhe I have a collector's mentality, but I want to be able to *play* with *my* toys!! I'm someone who would collect cars & *drive* that vintage Porsche!! You know what I mean? I absolutely can empathize! I have a few hockey jerseys that are game-worn by some pro hockey players that are or were on my favorite team. It's not that the players are mega-famous, but they're particular favorite players of mine and so I bought the jerseys. And some of my friends think I'm insane because I WEAR those jerseys when I attend games. They said that if they had a game-worn jersey, they would frame it and put it on display. I didn't buy them to hang on a wall or in my closet. I bought them to enjoy them, and that means WEARING them if I so choose. :) I'm not a Tarot collector, but if I were, I'd get decks that I wanted to USE, rather than just own. And that's what I've done so far, right down to the Tiny Universal Tarot deck. I most absolutely DO use that one for daily draws or to quiz myself on the cards. The cards are like dollhouse props, and yet I didn't get the deck ONLY for the novelty of it. I got it because I suspected that there'd be times when a minscule deck would serve my purposes better than my full-sized RWS deck. And I got the miniature RWS deck for the same kind of reason. It fits in a purse better than a full-sized deck, but if I use it to read for other people, they will be able to see it without a magnifying glass. ;) Although I did get the Gilded Tarot for no other reason than I took one look at it online and just couldn't get enough of the graphics. WOW. I never had that strong of a reaction to a deck before. And if I experienced that "Have to have it!" response on a regular basis, I guess I would be a collector. But only of decks I wanted to use. ;)

Moongold	24 Sep 2004
I have 19 decks after two years but I got them as examples of different types of decks. Some are based different theories and some just look different or have something quite unique about them I use them all though, for learning, reading, fun. RWS and clones clones Morgan Greer Old Path (Pagan) Witches (Pagan) Goddess World Tree Tarot of Prague Ancient Egyptian Ancestral Path Thoth This seems to be unique Tarot of the Spirit? Other uniques Can't think of a better term Tarot of the Sephiroth Pythagorean Ancient Enlightened Buddha Shining Tribe Old English Marseilles Founier Conver Hadar I collect representative decks for learning and use. Others collect for the sake of collecting.

blackroseivy	25 Sep 2004
This sounds a lot like *my* approach! :D BTW: There are a few out there that are supposedly Thoth-styled, such as, I *think*, the Ananda (one on my wish-list!).

The How many decks makes you a collector? thread was originally posted on 23 Sep 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.