Just my opinion, but Stars is more astrologically based. Stairs is more Kabalisticaly based (but incorporates astrology).
Stairs has a LWB in English that is needed - in tiny impossible to read font.
Stars is in Italian and is a huge LWB - most likely a ton of good Italian info.
Stairs is Marseilles based (follows Levi - Fool = Shin).
Stars is WCS based (Fool = Shin) but pips are illustrated in a WCS style (four of wands has folks dancing under a sukkhah, four of cups has a fourth cup floating)
Stairs is smaller than Stars. Stars has card labels (plenty, abondance, der Uberfluss, Abundancia - ace of cups)
I think it depends on your focus - if you follow astrology - Tavalione I Tarocchi de Stelle - best learn Italian or bemoan the book.
Hermetic and/or Kabala...
The Tarrocco Tagalioni (Stairs of Gold) is now officially out of print. It was originally published by US Games in 1979. It's a tre's deep deck. (Giorgio Tavaglione has since passed away).
As I said, it is has Continental numbering and Kabalistic lettering as opposed to the English Waite/GD schools.
Each card contains:
- The corresponding Sanskrit letter to it's tarot number
The Hebrew alphabet letter
The Celestial alphabet letter
The letter of the Vulgar Latin alphabet connecting the Hebrew and Sanskrit letters
The Zodiological corrospondance w/constellation or planet
Location on the Lurial Tree of Life
If I were to classify this as a reading deck, or a kabalistic deck, or a hermetic deck or a...
I'd be wrong.
It's all of that...and more. Each card is so deeply filled with symbology, the LWB is essential. It is however as I stated - in impossible to read font of a tiny size.
Sure the pips are unillustrated, however this does not imply they are lacking in zymology, or imagery. Suits are ordered from the Kings down to the Aces rather than upwards, and suits (Levi style) are ordered Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles.
The Fool has both the Dog and the Crocodile.
You need a magnifying glass to appreciate the Hermit (check out the staff...).
The 'Stairs of Gold' is a rich, complex deck.
Glad I snagged a copy. I think there are a few out there still...I suggest you follow my lead. A truly great deck.