WHY Aren't there more Historical Decks Available?

[Fulcanelli]

I see that there is indeed some activity in these forums about older decks, like for instance a deck from the original design of Dodal, and it only makes me wonder why more of these are not offered up for sale by Tarot publishers? Perhaps I overestimate the profit margin here and fail to realize a deck that incorporates semi-nude elemental beings would sell a lot more than one of great historical (and study) value.

I'm tempted to start playing the lottery and when I win that $384 Million, I will buy a few card printing factories and get the rights to print some of these decks.


What are some of the hard-to-get decks that you would like to be reprinted and sold at the modest price of a new deck of cards?

 

[jmd]

Part of the publishing problem is precisely the relatively small market (though it is growing).

To get a republication happening (which is looked at by various publishers), part of the overall consideration is the total cost (purchase of quality image from holding library or museum or private collection) + cost of publication & distribution, and the expected mark-up by wholesalers and distributors and retailers.

All in all, the market still remains relatively small - though in my view large enough to warrant many early deck reprints!

When four publishers, however, decide to reproduce the same deck, and then complain of the small market, the true state of affairs gets muddied (I am talking here of the Conver Marseille).

 

[Fulcanelli]

Part of the publishing problem is precisely the relatively small market (though it is growing).

Then maybe what we need do is establish an international Historic Tarot Club, finding only the wealthiest of patrons who would contribute huge sums of money to publish more older decks, and perhaps some of those really hard to find out of print books.

 

[Fulcanelli]

Why don't we determine which decks are in most demand and approach some card makers about it? That sure beats sitting around and waiting to see what they come up with on their own.

 

[Major Tom]

Why don't we determine which decks are in most demand and approach some card makers about it? That sure beats sitting around and waiting to see what they come up with on their own.

Ya know what?

That's one of the most sensible suggestions I've heard around here.

So, which are the most in demand historical decks?

I'd like to see a Chossen or a Payen or a Noblet.

 

[firecatpickles]

I'd like to see some of those Minchiates.

KK

 

[Fulcanelli]

Ya know what?

That's one of the most sensible suggestions I've heard around here.

So, which are the most in demand historical decks?

I'd like to see a Chossen or a Payen or a Noblet.

I followed some threads here and learned that one of the decks, the Dodal, seems to be one that is highly sought after. Dusserre apparently is the one to get but from what I read, he is or has retired and France Cartes is taking over. I just emailed them to see if they have any plans to print this deck. I'll post in this thread any response I get.

 

[Major Tom]

I followed some threads here and learned that one of the decks, the Dodal, seems to be one that is highly sought after. Dusserre apparently is the one to get but from what I read, he is or has retired and France Cartes is taking over. I just emailed them to see if they have any plans to print this deck. I'll post in this thread any response I get.

I'm one of the fortunate few to own a Dusserre Dodal. It would be brilliant to see it in print again. I'd also like to see the others.

Once we see other examples of the Tarot of Marseilles, we can begin to imagine what it should really look like.

 

[Fulgour]

Sadly..

So, which are the most in demand historical decks?

If the sum total production of the Publishing Industry
were a salad bar, Tarot wouldn't even amount to the
croutons...it would be a used lemon peel on the floor.

 

[jmd]

Yet, another way to look at it is that just Tarot decks published these days likely exceeds the sum total of the publishing industry in the 17th century - surely sufficient merit to include, amongst the publishings, significant, influential or important early artefacts.