The Classic Tarot (LS)--Marseilles or Marseilles-inspired?

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/classic/

It's listed under "Reproductions". Is it a Marseilles deck or just Marseilles-inspired? What is it really? Do you read it like you would a Marseilles? Help!

I have this deck and absolutely love the look of it, but I have not read from it. It is a reproduction of a Carlo DellaRocca deck from 1835. To me, it looks just like the Soprafino. It is supposed to be an alternative style to the Marseilles, but I would definitely say it was Marseilles inspired, as the minors are pips and there is no RWS feel to it. Nice deck for collecting, or for those who want to read Marseilles-style but with a much prettier looking deck, IMO. I would say this reminds me more of a very pretty IJJ Swiss deck, with bright pastel colours and a lovely antique look about it. I hope this helps! LWB includes meanings for the Majors and info on the history of the deck and tarot in general, but minors are simple stated as wands-Fire suit, physical, corporeal, creative activity, and so forth.

In fact, according to this chart, I think it is the Soprafino, but on nice semi glossy stock, rather than the Il. Men. version, which is just thick paper. I like the LS one best-far more useable.

http://www.tarothermit.com/decks.htm

It is the Soprafino

a lovely deck made in Italy in 1835. Not a Marseille. There are several threads on it here (on the Classic and on the Soprafino).

All decks descend from the Marseille. I don't read it exactly like a Marseille - still finding my way around it. It's gorgeous, though.

True about this fanciful Soprafino Milanese...

...as influenced with delightful Marseilles patterns of earlier centuries. I enjoy reading people's ideas of the Soprafino.

See chart below of lineage.

http://www.tarothermit.com/lineage.htm

I have some modern reproductions of some Italian historical decks, some with same-language books (not English) of 'divinatory meanings. But I haven't come across a historical book devoted to Soprafino iconography meanings.

I have come across some modern books in English with suggested ways for reading Italian decks. The Italian designs look different to me than Marseilles woodcuts, but that is just me. Others might enjoy and continue to like reading their older style decks-no matter what century--the same way.

Best regards,

Cerulean

Would you say it reads like the Swiss IJJ deck?

Here's a review of the IJJ Swiss that calls it "Soprafino"

in terms of their thoughts of the design:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/1jj-swiss/review.shtml

I believe the reviewer is well-versed in the tarot. The suggestion to get a French-language version would help if I ever decided I wanted this deck. I had an English-titled version which I traded away.

I wasn't attracted to the reproduction I had. I didn't want to read with it.

I had the same problem with a Grimaud Epinal--somehow the modern colors of bright yellow, blues and reds with old engraving felt like a clash. Maybe an older-looking IJJ Swiss or Epinal would inspire me to enjoy such decks.

To get this back to the Soprafino...when I looked at this old auction for classic tarot decks and scrolled down to numbers 40 and 41, I was amazed at the beauty of the different colors of the Soprafino-style decks--so perhaps my limitations of how certain stencils or engraving appeal to me:

http://www.bloomsbury-book-auct.com/html/503/



Best regards,

Cerulean