Tarot Restoration

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Dec 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

damfino	29 Dec 2004
Ok, this is not really related to Kris Hadar, Camoin-Jodorowsky, etc, and their work on recovering the Tarot. It's more about taking care of one's own deck. See, when I got my first deck - a Marseilles Tarot, as restored by Kris Hadar - , it had already been used (long story). And, well, now they are starting to get worn... it's in part my fault, because I had absolutely no idea or notions of how to handle the cards when I first got the deck, so I shuffled them like a mean poker player, worsening their already delicate condition. Now, the little plastic layer that covers the images from dust and stuff are starting to peel down, and the edges of the cards are losing their white tone. I'm afraid to use the deck anymore for fear that I might just ruin it. Sure, I'm planning to buy another deck (or perhaps several others) as soon as I find one (there's no store that carries this kind of things on this city), but I was wondering... what if I try to repair it? So I'm here to ask: Is it a good idea to try and restore the cards by myself? Should I find a professional for this (if such thing exists)? Perhaps should I leave them alone and just go and move mountains to get another one? What methods would you consider appropiate to repair this deck? Would such repair somehow affect the "potential" of the cards? Thanks in advance. Any input will be highly appreciated.

Clau	29 Dec 2004
Hi Damfino! ¿Que tal? You know, I know nothing about restoration or anything, but after I read your post I think you should just keep your deck and treasure it as it was your very first deck and has all this story...and buy a new one. un abrazo, Clau

April	29 Dec 2004
I know what you mean. I still shuffle like a poker player minus the dexterity. I like to think that I'm giving my decks that much desired "antique look". I, as well, don't know much about restoration, but it seems to me you might spend more on having a professional do it than just buying a new deck. I'm not even sure where one might go to have that done. All in all, I agree with Clau. It sounds like you really love them so I say keep them close whether used or not. Get a new deck to beat up on for a while :), and bring out the old one for special occasions. Peace, April

Moonbow*	29 Dec 2004
If the deck were mine, I would put it away and treasure it like I would an old book. I would use if for myself only and I would replace it. I don't have a deck that this has happened to yet, but personally I like things to look used and well loved - like an old teddy. Thing is, it sounds like it would be costly to repair and you would probably still be wary of using it.

NightWing	30 Dec 2004
Damfino: My sympathies on your old deck, but other than trying a thin coat of spray-on art fixative, I can't really think of any affordable way of repairing or halting the damage at least, on your cards. The economies of mass production are such that it would almost certainly cost a lot more to repair than to replace with one (or many) new deck(s). There are people who do book and manuscript repair, and others who repair printed items such as photos, but you would probably be looking at a fairly stiff price based on time. If one photo peeling from its backing paper and cracking a little costs US$20.00 and up, imagine the cost of 78 cards! I wouldn't bother personally. But you have little to lose by trying some experimentation yourself, at virtually no cost. Look into some paper adhedsives, cements, glues, etc. on the internet. Good luck.

jmd	30 Dec 2004
I have in the past used simple PVC glue to re-stick some peeling cards... and now they are again appealing :)

WolfSpirit	30 Dec 2004
I have stuff called Mod Podge, according to the label "sealer, glue and finish". It can be used to stick pictures onto something and then give it a protective glossy layer. The label says you can still apply transparent acrylic sealer on top if it stays a bit sticky, I never needed that though. I got it in a hobby shop. It works ok for making decorations, put pictures on flower pots etc. I think it would work for restoring cards as well, but I have not tried yet, I don't have decks that need restoring yet.

Ulfdis	31 Dec 2004
Mod Podge works great. I used it to seal some custom painting I did on our kitchen cabinets. It seemed to take a while to get past the "tacky" stage in our steamy climate here in South Carolina. My only concern with using Mod Podge on Tarot cards is that it might become too brittle for shuffling if it's applied too thickly.

damfino	02 Jan 2005
Mod Podge? Never heard of that... I don't think they even sell it around here... I'll have to take a look. Thank you all guys/girls for your answers. I've decided to follow an early advice and just keep the deck as a prized antique, and go buy another deck. It's still kind of odd. Like losing a cat. You are so attached to him that you can't imagine yourself with other one. But I've had many cats, and I've noticed that many of you guys have up to 20 or more decks, so I guess I'll be fine. I mean, the knowledge and experience I've adquired is in me, not the cards, right? Thank you all. I really appreciate your words.

Umbrae	02 Jan 2005
I put my thoughts on deck preservation in this old post…

The Tarot Restoration thread was originally posted on 29 Dec 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.