Ancient Tarots of Bologna

Ancient Tarots of Bologna

I just received this deck, and it is a treasure...
Why do we not hear more about its many charms?

ISBN 0-7387-0023-1
"This deck is an exquisite reproduction of one of the earliest Italian decks.
The worn, aged look of the cards, coupled with the soft, rich hues of green,
blue, brown, and gold work together in a presentation that is ancient and
mysterious-like a soft whisper from the past beckoning the reader to listen
quietly to the wisdom of the cards."

Llewellyn Sale Price: $5.00 (+$3.00 S&H)
http://www.llewellyn.com/bookstore/book.php?pn=J023

Fulgour, I just got that deck, too, and love it. Before buying it, I did a search here on the Ancient Tarots of Bologna and was very surprised to find it so little mentioned. I know very little about historical decks, but from the standpoint of artistic style and coloring to the ways in which the archetypes are depicted, there is nothing I don't admire about this deck.

I like it because I think it was a model for the Di Gumppenberg 1835

and this (the Di Gumppenberg with the same coloring) is one of my favorite woodcut stencil decks. The use of the green or blue on the sleeve or the vest seems cosmetic and suitable for game-playing, not esoteric to me...but it's interesting coloration is something I like a lot in both the Bologna and Di Gumppenberg.

Paul Huston's book on Mystical Origins of the Tarot listed the Il Menghello version of the Ancient Tarots of Bologna and I think both Trigono.com and Alidastore both have it? If you like, I'll post links.

Here's some Bologna inspiration:
http://www.trigono.com/tarots/TA02TABP.htm

I had a suspicion that the Bologna is one of the decks some odd noble saw and erroneously thought it had Egyptian origins...the aged blue, sienna and green palette has that aged charm.

In at least one modern version, the ancient tarot of Bologna inserts are part of the charm of this deck to me:

http://www.tarotpassages.com/thirdmill.htm

I'm glad to see people like this deck's coloration! The blues in it seem to agree with me, one might wonder why!

Regards,

Cerulean

Ancient Tarots of Bologna
Giacomo Zoni Bologna 18th Cent.

Meneghello, numbered and limited edition:
http://www.trigono.com/tarots/tarocchi-di-bologna.htm

Ancient Tarots of Bologna
Lo Scarabeo
ISBN 0-7387-0023-1

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What may be lost to those who have not looked through
all 78 of the cards, is the very pleasant look they all have.
Time after time, this comes as a delightful surprise to see.

If someone showed me this deck and said it was brand new,
created at much expense by a high priced publishing house,
I'd not only believe them, I'd say they had done a great job!

I have had this deck for a while, regrettably not purchased for 5.00 !! I love the colors also, but not the shabby hippy surfer dude stuck in the World card. Perhaps some day, we will have the ability to remake cards we don't like well enough so they will be indistinguishable from the rest of the deck. That would solve a lot of problems.

solving the world's problems...

I looked for a scan on-line for XXI Le Monde but no joy.
Here's something though, the scans I find never do the
deck justice, the lively immdediacy just isn't there.

Ancient Tarots of Bologna
http://www.learntarot.com/bgdesc.htm

Aren't the backs tasteful too?

bee-yoo-tee-full

Dark Inquisitor said:

Aren't the backs tasteful too?

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The Oscar Mayer Weiner Wagon would've been the most tasteful
thing to come to mind if you were to say the word bologna to me
most days ~ but maybe that's cause I'm from Chicago. Toot toot!

The Weeny Wagon

No doubt any Chicago tarot would have to include the hot dog contraption . Tarot of Bologna and hot dogs though,- I can only imagine bad things happening to the cards from grease stains.