RWS Tarot Comparison (orig.PixieArt) & Book Recommendations!

Here i go over the 4 Waite-Smith decks "currently" available that have Pamela Coleman Smith's (pixie's) original artwork. Ive included a complete side by side comparison of the different colorings for all the 78 cards, as well as any difernces between the decks. I also recommend a book to get u better aquainted with RWS basic or beginner tarot card meanings and also a book to help u delve deeper into the more esoteric side of this deck.

[@leahmead5947]

Oh man, I miss Elle. She was the best and had such a great vibe. Hope she's doing well x

[@chainsawkitten3766]

I bought my first couple of decks in the 80's, at a store called Garland of Letters on South St in Philly. Back then there were not many to choose from. I got the RWS, a matte finish thick card stock, I believe printed in Switzerland. Years later I got an even older one on eBay or etsy, the one without the copy rite on each card. Those are the ones I really love...all the USGames RW decks that I have gotten since are printed in Italy, they all have that shiny, thin cardstock...and the font is more modern. Then the Centennial came out...LOVE!! Printed in China. All the USG printed in China decks have the cardstock I prefer. I believe the Centennial deck has the most authentic Pixie artwork too. I think I'm going to buy the mini in the tin next.

[@clare5one]

MISS YOUR WISE TEACHINGS. MISS YOU!

[@sacredseed1295]

...probably gonna re-do this video at some point. when the camera flips down the lighting makes it a little hard to see all the color differnces. this is the 1st video I tried to make so it was learning video lol

[@josvah]

I hope you respond to this question/comment. In regards to the Pentacles suit, I was initially taken back by the color choices but I find that it appropriately fits the pentacle shape, or Venus shape, that is imprinted in many fruits when you cut them in half width-wise (i.e. apples and pomegranates). The coloring gives a very fruity feel to the pentacles here and still alludes to materialism and earthly delights. I'd love to know if you came to the same conclusion. I've always been drawn to the suit of Pentacles and I was initially saddened by the color choice but I have justified it for myself. :D

[@annerobinson2288]

Hello El and thanks for this amazing video. I also love the Albano Waite and think you would LOVE a vintage copy of the 1968 Original by Tarot Productions. There are some very different colors on some of the cards like the 3 of Pentacles, and the cards are matte and yummy. Bravo! Anne

[@xXxAmyPalmerxXx]

I think I may have to buy the commemorative set and the albano. They are stunning.

[@nekopug]

I see what you're saying about the red pentacles, but I think that makes more sense to me because they look like fruit which connects me to the idea of abundance particularly from the earth. Thank you for this video. It was super helpful!

[@MarilynFromTarotClarity]

I agree on your remarks on The Holistic Tarot. I'm glad to know I'm not alone, so many rave about it and it's always struck me as an over zealous student's obsessive self study journal that someone suggested she make into a book. Kindred spirits with the Albano. It was the first Waite Smith deck I ever bought, and it's by far my favorite.

[@ghettocountry8678]

Would you know if the 90's deck by Rider Waite would have the copyright labeling on the sides of the pictures on cards that were printed in Switzerland? Just curious I just ordered one it was used in nice condition but the box is kinda damaged a bit but yet I'm trying to find information on this deck. I love the ones without the copyright. These also say there the copyright from 1971 on the very bottom of the back of the box, but also says from Stamford ct. So just curious if you would know?

[@rachelar6]

Thanks for the help. My RWS deck is so old I have no idea what version it is and wanted to get this new centennial one (i love the simple back to it) and had no idea how it compares size/color wise!

[@nikkisparkle5763]

Because of this video I ordered the Centennial regular size as my meant to be study deck. However the seed was planted and my curiosity grew for the Albano Waite tarot. Which is coming tomorrow, Yeay... Definately going to be my study deck now. And the centennial will be the pretty rws deck. :P I love all the extra information that you pointed out while comparing the cards, really informative and makes me look at the cards differently. Thank you Elle! ^_^ Watching this one for the second time and probably not the last, looking forward to an updated video someday. ;)

[@marshahostetler]

I have the plaid back but mine is 1971 very mate and thick paper. It has Pamela’s font too. Have you seen the borderless? I want that one for sure

[@samanthaingland5647]

ive been searching high and low for a video review with the albano waite and yours by far is the best. yes, the lighting kinda blows lol but i totally enjoy your views on it and you talk about the deck and the detail and colors. i was trying to find a good rider waite deck and i was gonna go for the commemorative edition cuz i liked the muted old look, but i dont know. something about the albano is grabbing my attention! and it actually is a remake of an original from the 60s. so heck yes!!!

[@amithmalik4648]

what did you go for?

[@Stardust920]

I steered myself away from the Albano deck from the reviews on Aeclectic Tarot. But upon seeing the cards, they are beautiful! I have the other 3 RWS decks but perhaps this one might be my Goldilocks deck lol.

[@radhadas8157]

Thank you for this I have been very confused about it. I love Pixie so much!

[@pa1attention]

I never thought I would be attracted to the Albino deck, but so glad I watched your review. I am definitely interested in giving that deck a try! Thank you so much!!!

[@BennyTheFoolsApprentice]

Great idea to go to the wedding store for tarot bags. That is going to save me some bucks. Thanks for the tips. I'm new to tarot and I'm so glad I found your channel. I am learning a lot. Your are so informative and easy to listen to.

[@ettoliram8116]

A bit rough around the edges perhaps, but still a great video! I like that you show the Albano as well; that sort of fights for first place with the commemorative. I'm curious; what is the pocket deck that is inside the golden zip pouch before you put the commemorative-inna-tin in that pouch?

[@sacredseed1295]

thanks! oh that's the Rosetta tarot, mini size- I'm definitely gonna review it soon, it's another amazing deck! thanks for watching :)

[@ettoliram8116]

Thank you! Ah, that one has been on my wish list for a while now.... The video is a bit orange-ish, but since I own all four of these decks, replicate it in my own living room, if I wanted to. ;-) I think the current US editions of the Albano do have a copyright on them (plus one or two other problems, if I remember correctly), but I have lovely German and French ones, printed by Carta Mundi, and they are great! I really don't understand why this deck has such a bad reputation; like you, I seem to remember something about 'garish colours' coming up in a search. But it's lovely! Do you have any other references for that 'black knight' description for the Knight of Cups? I tried to find the Campbell book, but the cheapest copy around is $55, which is a bit much for me right now... Oh, and I think that the sun on the back of mine is actually reversed from the way your backs are!

[@Gegatso]

It would be nice to see the Radiant Wise Spirit tarot in the mix as well - the borderless one!

[@saintbabylon7250]

Thank you for this comparison. I only have the plad back which I praticed a trim on and edged silver, lol. Came out cool though. Then I have the Golden Universal RW Tarot which isn't a Smith. The RWS started ti grow on me being a Thoth guy now I want the Albana White is it? So now you got me putting that on my to get list for next month coming up. Excited too!

[@thinkjon]

Can you add links with the deck titles and the publisher name within the video description? This way we can see the boxes to clearify each deck.

[@lricci007]

Have you seen the new Radiant Wise Spirit Tarot? I am curious to know what you think of it and The Universal Waite, which is not new but I love the coloring of and maintains the traditional font. Love your videos and especially the side by sides when deciding on a version. I'm with you on the Albano Waite, I love it, didn't initially but I think I was prejudiced because of other peoples opinions of it. Now I look at it and wonder what was I thinking it's great and has my all-time favorite High Priestess card.

[@pa1attention]

wow, I never knew that about the original colors, interesting!!

[@annerobinson2288]

That garland twining around the lion's neck is not found in the original Pam B which the "original" is copied after. Thanks for this comparison. Anne

[@WhenMySoulWhispered]

Elle, this was a great video! I didn't know much about the differences between the decks, but I'm so intrigued. I feel like going into a lot of depth and study about it all, it's so fascinating! I also didn't know that the radiant was just a copy. Would be great to find a study group for this sort of thing! Thanks heaps again 😊

[@sylvia8940]

Sacred Seed. I just ordered an Albano-Waite deck upon watching your video :P I have a question. I have a feeling the deck I have been provided is a false replica (it has been clumsily packaged in a thick rather than flimsy cellophane, among other things, etc). How can I tell an authentic Albano-Waite deck from a replica? Your expertise and answer are highly appreciated (Or anyone else's who reads this). Thank you.

[@trinaj4357]

Why are the Pentacles in the first deck red? I may have missed where u said something about that? Is it because the Pentacles are representing fire in some way?

[@ghettocountry8678]

I really like the first two decks, have the originial but i do really like the first and second do you know if those two come in any set packs?

[@aquahomeritto]

I also think the same about Universal Vs. Radiant. The Universal has so much more details and is beautifully redrawn, but the Radiant's faces are kinda creepy and deformed!!

[@dlcoba2979]

I just got the plaid backed deck like a week ago and it is the same as yours. Love the bright colors.

[@SpookyStregaAL]

If you do another version of this I would LOVE to see the albano in full color and was wondering if you have one of the original Tarot Production Albano decks..if you like the one USGames produces you will go crazy over the original..I have an original mini and it's just so beautiful

[@gyrados78]

I only have the Original of these and am looking into getting another because of the thick lines that makes some cards hard to understand. Was thinking of the Commemorative but you're making me think of the Albano too, which is good since I haven't heard much about it except the "weird" colours!

[@melissaann513]

I know this video is a couple years old but I found it interesting. The book you mentioned ,Tarot Revelations, looked really interesting so I looked it up on Amazon.. its going for $180!! And the libraries are all closed due to covid panic so cant check there.. I'll keep en eye out for it tho..

[@arynnoctavia]

I have a deck from the 70s, plaid back. The coloring looks closest to your deck to the far right, but the words are in the artist's original hand.

[@sambda]

Yes - I think there are three basic editions of the yellow-box/plaid one around (and possibly smaller variations), and that's in the US only (don't know about elsewhere).

[@carolinehaas7129]

Love this video..totally need Albano deck now! :)

[@StellaWaldvogel]

@Sacred Seed - My RWS first love will always be the University Books edition. I could fall into those intense blues. It's well worth snagging a copy, in spite of the kitschy pink ankh backs (which grow on you after awhile.) You stated that PCS didn't color her original images for the deck. I've never heard this - could you tell my your source for that information? Thanks. :)

[@aspirationisheartsdesire9960]

Stella Waldvogel I have that deck. With the pink ankh and the wider candy pink stripes. I have seen one back that has the ankh and thinner lighter pink stripes. Mine is the first one and from the 60’s

[@Pablo99336]

I see a lot of complaints about the Albano cardstock - but I already sent for it. Is it really that bad ?....Im hoping its not...

[@reneedooma]

Does the Pictoral Key get into the alchemical, astrological, or Qabbalistic correspondences?

[@tylerd8711]

Centennial edition is beautiful!

[@punkieVbrite]

thanks for doing this video! I finally made a decision on which deck I will purchase. I have had this urge to put down the other decks I have and start again at the beginning. I have the plaid back and it is so yellow it bothers my stigmatism, so never connected to it. used to have the navy/ star back but it vanished.

[@carol2020]

Like your chair ...look good 😊

[@zenwithgems]

Absolutely LOVED this! Thank you!

i would love the Centennial edition if it would feature the original lily-roses card back... i dont know why it is so difficulty to do a real authentic edition... : \

[@TamuNgina]

Thanks for the recommendation of Tarot Revelations....

[@astralpasta7014]

Holy crap I didn't know the publisher colored them and not PCS

[@annerobinson2288]

Postscript: Also, then purples are more vibrant on the original Albano.

[@ThatPolyglotASMR]

This vid helped me decide (finally!) on which type to get. I was inititially just going to get the last deck, but I've decided I want the 1st Albano Waite one, just because of the Lion card (strength) and the roses wrapped around him, as well as the orange background for the wands. Now, I just can't decide if I should get this first, or the Morgan Greer to study up on the meanings since I am a newbie.

[@Santiago_Scruzzi_Diefenthaler]

what is the tarot deck that appears in the minute 9:17? thank you!!

[@caveman3021]

I'm thinking its the tin version of the Centennial Smith Waite 🤔

[@godbless4733]

how many decks do you have in your collection?

[@gregghill5243]

Thanks for posting this video :) Can you recommend a book which explains the symbolism of the Ride-Waite deck in detail?

[@sambda]

Try "The Ultimate Guide to the Ride Waite Tarot" by Johannes Fiebig and Evelin Burger.

[@siiiriously3226]

"she´s propably a lesbian and a feminist- whohoo" - me: subscribed. :D :D well, the last tarot review i watched was made by a dude, and had randomly popping up a picture of 2 women playing strippoker...so this is such a grande leap from where i came from.. ;) but tbh, it was just the icing on the cake. i´m glad i found you, i was desperately looking for someone with that kind of depth of knowledge to learn from...you even know what is out of print...hallelujahhh! thanks a lot for this video! now o go back to taking notes. ;)

[@anavictoriataboada2727]

Hii!! Wich one of this decks do you recommend for beginners?

[@sacredseed1295]

oh i honestly dont think it matters as they are all so similar, i do think starting with a rws deck in general is the best way to go tho- good luck to u my friend! and thanks so much for watching :o)

[@Iamaries49]

So which one is the closest to the original?

[@sambda]

The Smith-Waite Centennial one. But (big but) they decided it would be a good idea to make the cards look sepia. I have hi-res scans of Pam A,B,C&D decks and they look normal, but the Centennial one has a muddy wash over everything. Unfathomable thinking. The deck has the look of the original stone lithography though.

[@StarStar-fm4qq]

I luv your review thanks

[@thehighpriestess8431]

Thank you!

[@djjokerolo]

Spero di non infastidirti, dicendo che sei davvero bella e solare.

[@pinkrozzze]

Girl beautiful

[@sonia336]

Thats some really bad lighting and it doesnt give the cards any justice.