A Deck Review: Pamela Colman Smith Commemorative Set
Pamela Colman Smith Commemorative Set
Expected Release Date is May 15, 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $35.00
ISBN- 13: 978-1-57281-639-8
Item # PCSS99
Published By: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
I am honored and privileged to be holding in my possession this wonderful tribute anniversary centennial edition deck. Everyone that is a Tarot fanatic will want to have this to add to their collection. The box it is packaged in is as special as the set itself and it should be.
The set includes two books, “The Artwork and Times of Pamela Colman Smith, by Stuart R Kaplan. This book has over 100 photos of her non-tarot art. The second is “The Pictorial Key to the Tarot”, which contrary to its title, does not include any pictures of any kind.
There are six color postcards of Pamela’s artwork, with what it is written on the back. There is a 5×7 photo of Pamela Colman Smith and three other 5×7’s of her artwork. All of these things makes this a great addition for art lovers to have in their collections as well as the Tarot lovers.
Unto the other side of the keepsake box, which contains the cards and bag. The very first thing that is noticed is that they are named Smith-Waite Tarot; yeah! about time! My reaction to the look of the cards was that they were made to look old by having a dirty look to them. To help add to the look they are not made with a glossy finish. The colors are darker and drabber looking, giving the cards a more negative, doom and gloom look. The Tower and The Devil cards are two Major Arcanas that really give the feeling of despair with not much color at all to them.
The darkness of the cards does make it harder to see some symbolism, which would make this harder for a beginner to use and become familiar with. Lots of details seem to just blend into each other with the browns and grays used. If anyone is of the belief that tarot is evil, these cards would add to that belief and cause someone who may have fears of it to only see them as negative. Someone that knows the cards and how to read them will have no thoughts of that whatsoever. Anyone that does read tarot to any degree and knows the history of it will appreciate the meaning and significance of this finally being printed.
Aside from all of that, this is definitely the set to purchase and treasure for its special meaning for all of us that are tarot lovers. It deserves a special place in the home as well for the honor it holds after a century of Pamela Colman Smith’s wait for acknowledgment. I am very much appreciative of already having this set that I will treasure the most of all decks I have.
This will be able to be purchase at www.usgamesinc.com, and also at Amazon.com. Check with your area bookstores as well.