I suppose that it depends on the market Llewellyn think they are in - maybe they think they will make far more from a new deck that from a re-jigged deck.
I don't think the choice was between a new deck or a "re-jigged". I envisioned this as a replacement to the original, not as an optional additional version to it, or taking the slot of whatever completely new deck might otherwise be published in the same year. In other words this would have been the only Gilded version available going forward. I considered it a serious re-working (sounds better than re-jigged) version, which potentially would have appeal to those who already owned the original but preferred the look of this one and would have considered adding it to their collection. Or to those who would not have been interested in the current version but would be interested in this "subjectively" improved one. The publisher assumed the opposite, namely that my opinion that this version will be a better one would not be shared by the customers, so why risk it and jeopardize something that from their perspective has worked very well up to this point.
So maybe this version being limited to a special edition is the best option all round. A lost potential maybe, but no risk in these troubled times either. My only regret is that a limited edition is just that, limited... the number of people who get them is limited either for cost or even awareness that they exist, less advertising, no distribution etc etc. From a personal financial perspective based on previous projects, there is little difference, so money really isn't the issue. From an artistic perspective though, sure I prefer the idea of more people owning it.
Anyway, attached is the Emperor. I changed the main character on this card more than on most. The costume less colored, a more serious expression. Better portraying I think the physical strength of the individual, but more importantly the symbolic power of his title. It also works better with the modified Empress, not posted yet.