Fulgour
Pamela Colman Smith wrote, in a letter to Alfred Stieglitz,
stating clearly (for all legal intents and purposes) that her
Tarot was not a "work for hire" and that is a historical fact.
I've just finished a big job for very little cash!
a set of designs for a pack of Tarot cards
80 designs
I shall send some over - of the original drawings
as some people may like them
I shall send you a pack... as soon as they are ready
Click on: Facsimile
She rightfully considered the original drawings as her property
and felt they might also be valuable now for sale in New York.
From her choice of words it is clear she is "talking shop" here,
and not indicating that she was hired and sold her legal rights.
Arthur Edward Waite is not mentioned, and she never did say
anything about him in public whatsoever. He was a minor bit.
So why is there such a clamour, insisting Waite was an influence?
For the very simple reason that The Golden Dawn was a mockery,
and without the cards created by Smith, it remains a joke as well.
Of course if you wish to copyright her cards he makes a nice shill.
*
I believe Steiglitz deliberately included this letter to him from Pam
along with other items bequeathed to Yale Library exactly because
he knew that other people would sneak around to steal her credit.
I have added a copy of the letter below as an attachment,
to ensure that it will be available for viewing by those who
seek the truth... to all believers.
stating clearly (for all legal intents and purposes) that her
Tarot was not a "work for hire" and that is a historical fact.
I've just finished a big job for very little cash!
a set of designs for a pack of Tarot cards
80 designs
I shall send some over - of the original drawings
as some people may like them
I shall send you a pack... as soon as they are ready
Click on: Facsimile
She rightfully considered the original drawings as her property
and felt they might also be valuable now for sale in New York.
From her choice of words it is clear she is "talking shop" here,
and not indicating that she was hired and sold her legal rights.
Arthur Edward Waite is not mentioned, and she never did say
anything about him in public whatsoever. He was a minor bit.
So why is there such a clamour, insisting Waite was an influence?
For the very simple reason that The Golden Dawn was a mockery,
and without the cards created by Smith, it remains a joke as well.
Of course if you wish to copyright her cards he makes a nice shill.
*
I believe Steiglitz deliberately included this letter to him from Pam
along with other items bequeathed to Yale Library exactly because
he knew that other people would sneak around to steal her credit.
I have added a copy of the letter below as an attachment,
to ensure that it will be available for viewing by those who
seek the truth... to all believers.