This version of the tarot deck which is now available in the US Games catalog is based on woodcut designs by Jean Dodal, a printer in Lyon, France circa 1700.  The designs are lighter in color than the Grimaud version, but still have the same basic appearance.

The artwork in the deck has a simple medieval look and feel to it which is entirely consistent with decks of this period.  The deck has been recolored based on the original artwork and modern print technology was used instead of the rough bleedovers from woodcuts.  Some decks which are reproductions of the marseilles style actually show the bleedovers and bad printing quality of the ancient cards.

Classic Marseille symbolism is used in the deck, in other words, very little depth to the pictures.  There is no depth perspective.  Figures are shown against a flat white background.  There are no scenes in the numbered cards.  The Roman Numerals used are used in the old way, instead of the subtractive method, throughout the entire deck.  Order is also consistent with the Marseilles norm.  Justice is 8 and Strength 11.

The cards are standard sized and seem to shuffle fairly easily.  The back design is a nice uniform design with tiny red circles on white.  The little white booklet is substantial and contains a good deal of information.  English titles are used on the Major Arcana and on the court cards.  The numbered cards have no titles at all.  Suits are Wands, Coins, Swords and Cups, and the King, Queen, Knight and Page are the typical courts.

This is a halfway decent Marseilles style deck, although I still prefer some other ones.  It's nice and clean and tight with a smooth feel to it and will stand up to heavy use, so if you like a Marseilles deck this is a fair choice.

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Review Copyright 1999 by Gina M. Pace

Tarot of Marseilles, 1996
published by Carta Mundi, Belgium