jcwirish
I am posting this comparison because some of you here have asked to share my thoughts. I have wanted this deck for a very long time. I went ahead and bought the Chinese version, because I just loved the images so much. Well, my initial reaction when I got the deck, was real disappointment. As many of you know, the Chinese printing is selling on Ebay for a round $60.00 when you add in shipping. Well, this is not a $60.00 deck.
I have since spent a bit more for a copy of the original printing, and feel that this deck was worth every penny (thanks dad for the birthday money).
Okay, a side by side comparison as I see it.
The original cards are much larger (think Druid Craft). The card stock is nice and not too shiny, but well laminated. The images are large and easy to get lost in. They are beautiful to gaze at and rich in detail. The accompanying book is very good, but there is no need to have a book with this deck. It says a lot all on its own, and is very conducive to intuitive reading.
The Chinese version have smaller and thinner cards (think Lo Scarabeo size). This is still a decent size and is easier for small hands to shuffle. The card stock is lousy (in my opinion). The lamination feels a little gritty and the cards stick together a bit. This may ease with time, but the cards feel flimsy and bend very easily. I don't think they will have much lasting power. Two of the cards had already started peeling after only a day of shuffling. This could just be my deck, but I wouldn't count on it. That being said, the images are still great. They are smaller and don't pull you in as much, but I'm sure a better reader than I could still get a lot from them. I initially thought the images were less detailed, but in comparing the decks side by side, I don't think I was being fair about the Chinese printing images. They are smaller, but they do appear to be clear.
I certainly would not have spent $60.00 had I seen the cards before I paid for it. More than anything, it's the card stock that makes this deck weak. Of course, the book is useless unless you can read Chinese, but I don't feel the book is necessary.
If after all this, someone still wants to get a copy of the VR and can't afford to buy an original, don't spend the money! I'll trade mine to you but wouldn't feel right selling it. If I keep the deck, I think I will re-laminate it and use it as my travel deck or something. I do think it's worth having the deck for its images and readability.
These are my thoughts, for what they're worth. I hope this was helpful to some of you who are considering buying the Chinese printing. If you are luck y enough to find an original and have the funds, buy it! I am so glad to have it as part of my collection.
Hope this was helpful, Johanna
I know I should post pics for you to see, but I haven't figures out how to do this yet.
I have since spent a bit more for a copy of the original printing, and feel that this deck was worth every penny (thanks dad for the birthday money).
Okay, a side by side comparison as I see it.
The original cards are much larger (think Druid Craft). The card stock is nice and not too shiny, but well laminated. The images are large and easy to get lost in. They are beautiful to gaze at and rich in detail. The accompanying book is very good, but there is no need to have a book with this deck. It says a lot all on its own, and is very conducive to intuitive reading.
The Chinese version have smaller and thinner cards (think Lo Scarabeo size). This is still a decent size and is easier for small hands to shuffle. The card stock is lousy (in my opinion). The lamination feels a little gritty and the cards stick together a bit. This may ease with time, but the cards feel flimsy and bend very easily. I don't think they will have much lasting power. Two of the cards had already started peeling after only a day of shuffling. This could just be my deck, but I wouldn't count on it. That being said, the images are still great. They are smaller and don't pull you in as much, but I'm sure a better reader than I could still get a lot from them. I initially thought the images were less detailed, but in comparing the decks side by side, I don't think I was being fair about the Chinese printing images. They are smaller, but they do appear to be clear.
I certainly would not have spent $60.00 had I seen the cards before I paid for it. More than anything, it's the card stock that makes this deck weak. Of course, the book is useless unless you can read Chinese, but I don't feel the book is necessary.
If after all this, someone still wants to get a copy of the VR and can't afford to buy an original, don't spend the money! I'll trade mine to you but wouldn't feel right selling it. If I keep the deck, I think I will re-laminate it and use it as my travel deck or something. I do think it's worth having the deck for its images and readability.
These are my thoughts, for what they're worth. I hope this was helpful to some of you who are considering buying the Chinese printing. If you are luck y enough to find an original and have the funds, buy it! I am so glad to have it as part of my collection.
Hope this was helpful, Johanna
I know I should post pics for you to see, but I haven't figures out how to do this yet.
.
