Tarot Original 1909 vs The Original Rider Waite Tarot Pack

A flip-through comparison of the Tarot Original 1909 (mine is the “Kit” version by Lo Scarabeo…they also publish a less expensive tuck box version, however it doesn’t come with the guidebook by Sasha Graham) and the Original Rider Waite Tarot Pack, published by US Game Systems.

[@albinnibla]

The Lo Scarabeo version reproduced is the Pam B, which was actually produced during the 1930's. 😃

[@martinphilpott5373]

The lines on the 1909 are so much better, I prefer the colours as well. The book is far superior in the 1909 also. Not having the copyright on the 1909 is such a great factor for me also.

[@Susanne_Alexander]

Thank you for your video. I had to order both and just got them!! OMGosh!! I'm not sure which one I love the best because they're both so beautiful.

[@highpriestess2776]

Thank you so much for this video! This comparison is exactly what I was looking for. I really prefer the more greenish colors in these decks compared to the blues in most versions of the RWS, and I wasn't sure which of these I liked more.

[@lisamcelmurry8467]

The Yellow box 1909 cards appear to have lost some of the image off the left side of the cards. They look to be slightly narrower cards than the Original Tarot deck on the right. Both look like nice decks but I own & love The Original Tarot on the right in the blue box.

[@chopsticktarot]

Both nice looking decks, however the deck without the copyright stamped on the front of every card wins out.

[@sylmaron5859]

For me as well. I would have preferred the US Games version but putting the trademarks on the front of the card is just bizarre to me.

[@ickelave]

The 5 Cup is one really jump out. One looks sun rise and 1909 look like sun set

[@RetroXRicardo]

Thank you for this comparison and helpful review! As a Waite-Smith Enthusiast I had to search and decide which RWS decks I want to add to my collection. This helped me to make my decision. Centennial is my fave. And spin-off RWS decks I like are the Radiant, Universal Waite, and Albano-Waite!

[@tarotfever3584]

Sorry for the very delayed response!! I was working a ton and everything fell by the wayside!! I’m glad you found this useful…I also love the centennial and the Albano-Waite is fantastic. I adore the colours, they’re so 1960’s 🥰

[@espiritulibre69]

Hello!, greetings from Spain. I would like to ask you what is the real pure and traditional deck. Wich one could be said that has the real images that Pamela drew? If she were alive, wich one she would said, I did it? As far as I know, the reverse correct was the blue one, right? I have doubts about these two decks and I would like to know wich one is the most accurate. Thanks!

[@pixelcurious]

Thanks for this! I really like the looks of the 1909 one. I used to have the Original and I liked it for the most part, but 1909 just looks nicer to me

[@laramalanquini3124]

thnaks for this video it was really helpful!

[@leonieharry2941]

the left one in the yellow box is a new print from the orignals from 1909 BUT the backs are not like the originals were. There were the blue/whiet lilies. The right box named "original rider waite" published by rider is a new print of the originals from 1910! In 1909 only a few were printed and than taken off the market (reason for me unknown). In 1910 there were a new releasing of the cards and so the right purple box is like the print of these cards from 1910! With the right backs too!

[@tarotfever3584]

Thank you so much for the information! RWS history is so interesting…I do prefer the Original Rider Waite Tarot Pack, mainly because of the backs. Something about those blue and white lilies… 💗

[@alessialogan]

Thanks for this video!! 😘

[@tarotfever3584]

You’re welcome, I hope it was helpful!!!

[@willagrant7403]

I have the 1909 but just the deck (it is different from the boxed set) & it has become my favorite of the RWS decks.

[@dougstout3663]

What are the differences?

[@willagrant7403]

They seem less glossy & a little less green. The USGames is much warmer colored for sure, I find the 1909 is easier on my old eyes no matter what the lighting situation is.

[@JaiRamLallaJi]

Thanks a lot❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@espiritulibre69]

Hello!, greetings from Spain. I would like to ask you what is the real pure and traditional deck. Wich one could be said that has the real images that Pamela drew? If she were alive, wich one she would said, I did it? As far as I know, the reverse correct was the blue one, right? I have doubts about these two decks and I would like to know wich one is the most accurate. Thanks!

[@M4th3u54ndr4d3]

She would say it about both decks. We have for each cards 4 panels for printing (I dont know the name of this thing in english, sorry). Basically each card was drawn 4 times. They are called today Pam A, B, C and D. The lo scarabeo version was made based on the pamela B version of the drawings. While the U.S. Games was made based on the Pamela A version. The drawings are different, but both are the work of Pamela, she would say it about both decks. The back of the 1909 however is different. Is is colored. If you really want, there are some original decks from 100 years ago on Ebay, but they are very expensive.

[@choux7746]

Which one is the same card stock as heaven and earth?

[@tarotfever3584]

The yellow one (Tarot Original 1909) has the same cardstock, but only the deck that comes in the kit. The one that comes in the tuck box has a different cardstock. Hope that helps!!

[@tarottarantulas]

I'm curious about the book in the new big yellow kit by Sasha Graham. I see on Amazon that that book is coming out as a hard back by itself May 8 2022.....I wonder if it's the exact same book as what came in this kit 🤔

[@TarotMilenio3]

Sería tan amable en actibar los subtítulos?

[@TarotMilenio3]

@@tarotfever3584 Thank You! 👏👏😘

[@gouravkgoswami9972]

Lo scarabeo's tarot original 1909 kit is the winner here ❤

[@saiprajna8704]

As a beginner which one should I prefer to buy? Can you help me......?

[@Learntarott]

Get the cheapest one 😂

[@CrystalBallASMR]

Why is it called the original 1909 when it looks like its taken from the Pam B redrawn deck from the 30s?

[@CrystalBallASMR]

@@tarotfever3584 great video. thanks for doing it

[@espiritulibre69]

@@CrystalBallASMR Hello!, greetings from Spain. I would like to ask you what is the real pure and traditional deck. Wich one could be said that has the real images that Pamela drew? If she were alive, wich one she would said, I did it? As far as I know, the reverse correct was the blue one, right? I have doubts about these two decks and I would like to know wich one is the most accurate. Thanks!

[@theallisoncompendium]

@@espiritulibre69 Hi Pablo. From what I've read and heard on other reviews of this deck, neither of these decks feature Pamela's original linework. The original plates used to print the very first decks were lost (or partially lost) in a fire. Afterwards, they had to redraw much (most?) of the deck to make new plates for printing, which is why you get different versions like the Pam B and Pam C. You can see the difference in the faces of the Fool and the Magician. The Centennial RWS by US Games is the mass market deck that most closely reproduces Pamela's original linework (though the coloration is different). There are a few facsimiles being sold out there if what you really want is as close to a reproduction of the very first decks as possible: there's a 1909 tarot on Game Crafters and something called the Tarot Study Deck that comes up on Make Playing Cards. But each version of this deck has it's place in tarot history.

[@PeterKoperdan]

Based on the scans available online Tarot Original 1909 looks like Pam B or C. Definitely not like 1909 or 1910. The US Games Centennial does look like Pam 1909 or 1910. Some of the images are also stretched at the bottom or top.