According to the LWB which accompanies my Rider-Waite deck, the Rider-Waite deck took its present form in 1910. The intellectual property is that of Dr. Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942). It is presumed by many that Waite and Crowley were contemporaries, and both members of the Order of The Golden Dawn.
The artwork was by Pamela Colman Smith, a young American stage designer and illustrator, who is reported to have been also been a member of the Golden Dawn.
Aleister Crowley published his Book of Thoth in 1944. Lady Freida Harris created the art work from 1938 through 1943. The most commonly used correspondences are from Lady Harris, who edited two different interpretations of the deck, based upon her familiarity with Crowley's writings.
The deck itself was not published until 1969, when Major Grady McMurtry of the Ordo Templi Orientis arranged for photography and publication. The quality of the original publication, however, was poor. I imagine these original decks would be quite a collector's item.
In 1977, the original Harris paintings were again photographed. Most of the modern Thoth decks are based upon color separations prepared in 1986.
Hope this answers your question.
Gary
