Pamela Colman Smith Commemorative Set

First, make sure this is the Pamela Coleman Smith Commemorative Edition (PCSC ed.) not the Centennial—I mean, assuming that’s what you want. (The other seems similar, but smaller, and in a tin, and I don’t own them.). [This review has been edited to add pictures and expand on some points, but mostly to correct the appalling typos!] I can’t say enough about these cards. Others might think they’re too dark, or not as striking at the usual RWS versions, or whatever, and that’s fine. There are plenty of choices for us all. I think this one gives you an antique choice—this may be as close to the original RWS deck as we can get. The cards are are not too thick to handle with ease. CBD Tarot de Marseille and The Golden Tarot are examples of “riffle-proof” decks. Those cards are so thick it’s nearly impossible to shuffle by flexing two halves between your hands so they whisk together like magic. Many prefer the running (overhand) shuffle anyway. But the PCSC ed. deck under review riffles with ease. The flip side is they are thin enough to bow if you do crazy things with your cards like put them in a bag beneath your head at night. CBD wouldn’t be bothered by that, but you know what you expect from your deck. Make no mistake: these are well-made cards that won’t feel flimsy or likely to wear out soon. So take them for a spin and come back smiling at the ease of handling. What do they look like? Old Timey. The colors are muted which makes a huge difference. There aren’t differences in the illustrations—this is just a beautiful, historical deck that transports to you the turn of the 20th Century. Now-beloved artist Pamela Coleman “Pixie” Smith did a job for A.E. Waite she described as a lot of work for very little money! Call me sentimental, but I felt closer to the artist with this deck. They are not only pretty, but have a great vibe. The word “tasteful” comes to mind. I can’t think of anything quite like it. I have included a picture of couple of familiar ladies and the back. Smith’s distinctive initials that are tucked away all tiny in a corner of almost every card are great big on the backs. There is something self-consciously artistic and charming about them, now seen large and proud. Almost touching. This is HER commemorative edition, after all, so it’s a good reaction! I’m not sure how well it comes through, but the yellow backgrounds are very slightly mottled as opposed to the bright flat (some would say garish) color of the typical RWS deck. The printing process leaves visible lines to shade the skin—if you look very, very closely you can see it. Check out the closeup of Strength. At normal distances for reading or other work, you’re not going to notice. Overall, it adds to—indeed is—the authenticity, which is why you’re interested in this deck, right? There is seldom a great match in RWS decks with the busy details and colors (except for recolored decks done well) and the faithful reproduction does not help here with that, but I don’t see it as a problem. Nothing is obscured. The muted colors may be less of a distraction. A lot of other stuff comes with the attractively designed and strong double box. A nice see-through bag for example. Some have expressed doubt whether it will protect your cards. I have had the same kind of bag with another deck and it was great. Even if it’s just until you get a different bag, it’s nice. There’s a lovely book about Pixie herself. It and several additional non-tarot cards shows a sample of her less-familiar work. The other side of the box holds A.E. Waite’s familiar “Pictorial” Key to the Tarot without pictures. Imagine this was out for the first time! I think sometimes A.E.W. Is given too little credit, just as P.C.S. has been too little credit. His book isn’t bad, operating as he was under oaths of secrecy and apparently sometimes none too sure what Pixie had done with a few illustrations! This is a beautiful deck that belongs in the collection of every tarot fancier, especially those interested in the deck that seized the imagination of the English-speaking world and became simply “The Tarot” for countless students.

(This has been edited because I forgot an item included in the deck - May 27 2019) Honestly I had no idea what I was getting into when I bought this deck. I just wanted the muted-colors Tarot deck but decided that the free stuff could serve me well. And I was quite surprised at what I actually got: The Rider-Waite-Smith deck that reminds me of nice, warm tea (the other RWS deck that has bold colors reminds me of coffee, and I prefer tea) The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (the texts remind me of old books in the turn-of-the-20th century but there was a lot of stuff to read about. But I won't recommend this to be a beginner's book, it's too floofy and stiff lol maybe when at a more advanced level or if you want more insight.) A short biography of PCS and her non-Tarot art (the book is colored and glossy, full of pictures and illustrations but be forewarned about the binding, the cover in mine almost disengaged from the rest of the book) A whole bunch of prints in two sizes (I didn't measure the sizes because I was still woozy over the fact that I got my parcel a bit earlier than expected. Also I was feeling sick lol). Not sure if these prints are different from each boxed set or they're fixed because I got the Empress card (I'm gonna go check other photos in other reviews lol still haven't but I will) A blue organza bag (that I may not have a use for, because based on my experiences with organza it rips off quite easily. I might find another use for it though) A glossy page with spreads and how to interpret the reading (which I may or may not use in the near future, but hey, maybe you can use it right away so... good luck) And the Keepsake box (which, while was as sturdy as advertised, was unfortunately ripped in a corner. I took a pic but it looks like a highlight.) Overall, apart from the fact that I got the usual issues with the parcel (because I'm too stingy to pay for more expensive shipping, my fault) I was pretty surprised with what the Commemorative Set has in store for buyers. And aside from that, I started working with the deck (which was the reason why I bought it in the first place) and I find that the cards were quite sturdy, a bit thicker than the other RWS deck (and also less slippy and slidey but super-chunky I find it hard to shuffle with my baby-hands arrrgh), and has that nice toned-down colors that don't hurt my eyes much. Just a disclaimer though: If you're the kind of person that wants solid colors and not optically-mixed ones, this deck might not be for you. Some of the reds and oranges look stripey, the greys look stippled, the blues look greenish, etc. and many people just don't like it at all. As for me, I actually appreciate these markings, it makes me feel like it's how printing was done in the 1900's (plate-changing and not having to make so many plates and stuff to accommodate colors, that sort of thing), plus the extra texture gives each card an "attitude". Besides, what matters more is how to read the cards, so for me these are great as they are. All in all, I would definitely signal-boost this set. It's quite nice, it's lovely with all the leaf motifs and the PCS green (but please choose the expensive shipping option, the lovely box won't be able to handle too much stress if the humidity hits.)

This set is beautiful! The cards themselves are on a nice card stock. It's sturdy and I feel as though I'll be able to use then for a long while, but has enough give that I can shuffle them. The colors are muted, which I find appealing. They are a good size as well, filling my hand without being overly large. As for the boxed set, I love it! The small art prints and the post cards are so pretty. I wasn't familiar with the other art that Pamela Coleman Smith had done, but I'm really in love with her work now! I can't wait to read the book about her that came in this set. The pictorial guide doesn't have photos. It is however A.E. White's guide, so I'm excited to have it, and the card is literally right in front of me to look at so I'm not too worried about it. The box this comes in is sturdy, you can definately place it in your bookshelf for years to come. And it comes with a little blue bag to keep your cards in. It's not fancy, but it will keep them together. Very, very pleased with this, and the price is great!

付録のパメラ・コールマン・スミスの画集が目当てで購入しました。 画集と見比べると、このカードはパメラ女史の画風を良く伝えていると思いました。ケースも含めた全体が、アールヌーボーの雰囲気を醸し出すデザインです。ど素人の身を省みず感想を言わせて頂けば、ウェイト版タロットの様々なバージョンがある中、この画家本来の画風及びそれに影響を与えていた製作当時の時代の風を再現した点にかけては、このセットが一番ではないでしょうか。 また、カード裏面のデザインもセンスが良く、嬉しかったです。 画集とあともう一冊の付録であるウェイトによる解説本も、いずれも予想以上にしっかりした書籍で、好企画だと思いました。 なお、このウェイトの解説本の日本語翻訳は、「タロット公式テキストブック」(魔女の家BOOKS)として出版されています。アレクサンドリア木星王先生による同書の解説によると、タロットは大好評でしたが、パメラ女史はその後ゴールデンドーンを脱退。そのため、ライダー社が第二弾の発売を望んでいたにも関わらず、女史が再びタロットを描く機会は無かったそうです。晩年は経済的に恵まれない生活だったとか。 実に残念なお話です。 せめて、このデッキでパメラ女史の遺業を少しでも偲べたらと思いました。

These cards are soooooo beautiful. I love the fact that they aren't very shiny. (Some tarot cards are way too shiny) I really really like the muted colours. It gives an old time vintage feel. I really really like the backs of the cards, they are a nice light blue with a simple flower in the middle and Pamela's signature. The size is perfect and the thickness of the cards is also right on point. If you are looking for a rider Waite tarot deck and you're not sure which one to choose, I recommend looking at the comparison videos on YouTube. I unfortunately couldn't find the video that helped me but there are quite a few videos that talk about the differences in colour, texture, shine, and print quality. Not to mention decks printed in different decades. ( there are differences!) Because I like vintage looking things I quite like this deck. I feel like it's also a high quality deck in terms of colour, shape, texture like I mentioned. The extras that come in the set, the mesh bag, the little postcard sized renderings of her art, I wasn't too thrilled about. They weren't the best quality. But, they are just extras really. I bought the set for the deck itself. And it's my go to tarot deck now :)

Beau coffret, bien complet avec 2 livres 1 sur l'art de Pamela Colman Smith , et 1 sur le Tarot d'après Edward Waite, très intéressant ( pour les anglophones)quelques cartes postales très belles, ensuite le jeu , je regrette un peu la qualité du jeu.. qui est quand même le but de ce coffret .. les cartes ne sont pas bien cadrées .. petit détail mais on attendais quelque chose d'un peu mieux.. je préfère le jeu Original Waite, sinon pour le prix qui reste abordable c'est un très beau cadeau à offrir ou à s'offrir .

O Tarot mais lindo e de boa qualidade que eu já tive. Valeu SUPER à pena. A qualidade é muito boa, e as imagens parecem uma pintura perfeita. Recomendo.!

Beautiful set, the best complete edition, you get a gorgeous box, 2 books : the original pictorial key to the tarot and a book with the artwork and introduction to Pamela Colman Smith, a facsimile of an original 1909 RWS tarot from Kaplan's personal collection which give you that nice vintage feel. I absolutely love it, if you get only one, I would get this edition and set.