Hoi Polloi Tarot
coloring artist unknown
 
The Hoi Polloi Tarot Deck was the last known deck to copy the designs of the original Rider-Waite Tarot deck before copyright enforcement began in 1971, when US Games acquired the rights to the Rider-Waite images from Ms. Sybil Waite, a direct descendant of Arthur Edward Waite.  The Hoi Polloi uses almost identical images to the Rider-Waite deck, except in a few rare cases where some cards have been redrawn.  However, even the new designs mimic the Rider-Waite.
 
Normally I review all Rider-Waite clones on the Rider review page, but this deck is so pretty it deserves its own page.  The artist who recolored this deck changed some of the facial and hair details, changed the colors quite a lot, and made all new text boxes for the titles, which are done in an Old English type calligraphic font.  It's a very attractive clone.
 
Of course all the titles are the same as the Rider-Waite.  Interestingly, the Justice card and the Strength card are in reversed order from the Rider-Waite, following the Marseille order instead; Justice is 8 and Strength 11.  Other than that, nothing is changed in the title or ordering from the original Rider-Waite.  Several of the designs, in both the Major and the Minor Arcana, are changed in perspective, moving closer to or farther from the object of the image than the original image was.  Also many times details are omitted.  Hair styles and facial details appear much more modern and late 20th century rather than classic or renaissance in appearance.
 
Card size is standard and the deck handles and shuffles easily with a light coating for protection.  Aside from the images shown, this deck is largely recognizeable by the brown back with the key design.  Edges were nicely polished.  I didn't have access to the box or the little white booklet since I got the deck used.
 
Out of all the Rider-Waite clones I've seen, I like this one the best.  It's a shame that it's the one that is no longer available.  The Hoi Polloi Tarot has not been available commercially for a number of years, but occasionally I see them on the secondary market, so if you see one, snatch it up!
 
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Review Copyright 1999 by Gina M. Pace
 
Hoi Polloi Tarot Deck, 1972
Hoi Polloi Publishing Co, New York