Too bad that the cards are so large. And why?
These are MASSIVE! I received mine today - as one who has huge hands that can span an octave + one more key on the piano - I cannot shuffle these normally. Like the Rohrig, I would have to shuffle lengthways. It really is extraordinarily large!
First thing I notice - the cards have been redrawn and it has lost the woodcut quality. It looks like it has been redrawn with a fine paintbrush. Lovely though, and I suspect that most people (I speak as one who studied antique engravings and woodcuts) won't notice that distinction and will just see a generic *old*. Rather glossy but it is overall an excellent set - thank goodness high quality accessibly priced historic decks are becoming easily available. I applaud her and the publishers for getting this out. Robert Place's intro is pretty minimal for anyone expecting something substantial. Four paragraphs; (1) Invention of Tarot /gaming, then (2) the appearance of the Marseilles, (3) then Gébelin & Etteilla and then (last paragraph) why the Madenié is so special.
It is funny - this deck was hidden in a Swiss vault for 300+ years and suddenly it is the most representative Marseilles
ever and overtaking the Conver. The book includes a comparison of the Lovers from this deck and from the Conver and weirdly, the Conver is placed next to
this - i.e the redrawn - version of the card. Why not next to a reproduction of the actual historic deck card so we can see like with like?
Even more weird are the divinatory readings - all positive when upright - 3 of Swords; "happy outcome", 9 of Swords "winning against all odds", 5 of Swords, "ability to ignore negativity". Sort of like 18th Century Doreen Virtue (joke!) Very noticeable though.
But I think it is a gorgeous product and I do want them to keep on producting these sets so I don't want to be negative because, overall, it is a great addition. I shalln't be swayed from using my 3 Madenié deck by Yves because the original really is the best (for me), but for those who want something a bit more "smoothed out" in a nice box and with a book to help out, this is a great set.