I know what you mean. If it makes any difference , I also dislike decks (like that Piatnik Rhenan Marseilles) which have bits missing from the line. That really bothers me when in excess (like that deck) - but what I love about the Madenié is how it has that aged look and yet the line feels quite pristine and complete which retains the expressivenesss when reading.
Oh, I'm so excited now! I purchased the deck yesterday directly from the Heritage website after reading everyone's glowing reviews.
I can definitely work with a balance between "aged" and "complete;" I really appreciate a cohesive feeling in decks.
I don't know quite how much Yves cleaned up (if it all) this deck, or if the faces were touched up, but his Madenié strikes the perfect balance of historical antique-y-ness and lightly polished patina suitable for modern eyes.
Another minor detail to supplement the pristine quality of the lines is the fact that the borders are almost exactly perfectly spaced all around the card, despite the woodblock imperfection of the whole. It's very subtle, but laid in a spread it does make the cards seem elegantly made for such a crude art style.
That is a nice detail, indeed! Thank you for pointing it out. I'm sure I will find the deck as lovely as everyone else, but it's nice to know
why I (and others, for that matter) find a deck attractive.
Again referencing my Soprafino, I noticed that its borders weren't perfectly spaced. I think its a fine idiosyncasy for an historical deck. It's also easier to accept because the engravings and the colouring of the Soprafino are exceptional.
With a woodblock-printed deck in which the age is described through the fading lines and colours, a perfectly centered border is a gorgeous detail.
It is called My Curious Cabinet. He also wrote a review here on AT. Just click on Tarot Gallery upper left hand corner, and enter tarot de Marseilles Pierre Madenie. 