Tarot de Marseille
Here you can watch and buy “LUDUS TRIUMPHORUM” a Tarot de Marseille deck that I have created, of which I printed a small limited edition. This Indie Tarot was hand drawn and made using traditional techniques, based on deck designs from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Project
I have always felt a strong attraction for iconography and esotericism, two spheres that blend perfectly in the Tarot. Years ago I began to delve into the meaning of the cards, their archetypes and learn to interpret them. When I was looking for a traditional Marseille deck for my personal use, I had a hard time finding something to suit my tastes. Personally I hate computer drawn and colored decks, I also don’t like the plastic-touch industrial papers that most modern decks use, although I didn’t want a facsimile edition either (of which there are great examples published, such as those made by Kartograme or TdM Heritage).
Therefore I decided to combine my knowledge of drawing, engraving, printing and graphic design in a project to create my own deck, which I present to you on this page. At the moment I have only developed a version with the Major Arcana, although I am working on the Minors and I hope that one day this new complete deck will see the light.
On the other hand you can also buy the illustrations of the Major Arcana, of which I have made a limited edition of sheets colored by hand one by one using watercolor.
“Ludus Triumphorum” TdM Deck
Limited edition of 250 units, printed on heavy weight 400 gsm felt-like finish paper. Card size is 66 x 127 mm. Deck composed by 2 presentation cards, the 22 major arcana and two additional cards “Junon” and “Jupiter”.
52€
Major Arcana Watercolors
Hand Embellishing Giclées made in a limited edition of 22 units of each Major Arcana. Giclée size is 25 x 35 cm was printed in black and hand-colored with watercolors on high quality cotton 240 gsm paper.
48€
In detail…
Know in depth all the details of this Indie Tarot.
Inspiration & References
For the design of the triumphs I have been inspired by Tarot de Marseille deck designs made in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, among them are those of Jean Noblet (1650), Pierre Madenie (1709), François Heri (1718), Pierre Isnard (1746) and Nicolás Conver (1760). The result is a type II TdM, according to the classification created by historian Thierry Depaulis in 1986.
Deck Composition
The deck has 27 cards and is composed by 2 presentation cards and the 22 major arcana. In addition, two extra cards are added with the triumhps “II – Junon” and “V – Jupiter”, these two cards can replace, if desired, the traditional ones of “La Papesse” and “Le Pape“ as in the “Tarot of Besançon”. I am currently working on a version of the complete 78-card deck that also includes the minor arcana, and I hope that one day this new complete deck will see the light.
Design & Materials
Card size is 66 x 127 mm and a very high quality paper has been chosen for printing, with a heavy thickness of 400 gms, subtly embossed and a felt-touch finish. This paper is environmentally friendly, Acid and Chlorine free and has FSC, ISO14001 and ISO9706 Certified.
This deck have been drawn entirely by hand, using artisanal techniques and materials. The process of coloring the cards simulates the effects and “failures” of printing using wooden blocks, a system which decks were stamped from 16th to 18th century. You can notice the ink stains, wood texture marks as well as the slight mismatch between the different colors and black.
Handcrafted Finish
This deck tries to resemble as much in its design, printing and paper as an around 1750 Tarot deck would be. Therefore the paper used is traditional and has an incredible warm and felt-like finish, but it does not slide like modern decks, as it does not be laminated cards or use glossy paper. This lack of plasticization also makes it more brittle to wear. The cutting, printing and in general the whole process of making the deck is completely handmade, so there may be small irregularities. Please be aware of these quirks, which on the other hand are one of the charms of this particular deck, compared to a mass produced one.
Ludus Triumphorum
The title that accompanies this deck “Ludus Triumphorum” comes from Latin and means Game of triumphs. It is the name that was given to Tarot in Italy in the mid-15th century and this is how it appears in the first references that are made of it and that we have evidence.
Custom Decks
Do you want a unique and personalized version of this deck? Maybe change the numbering or the language of the cards or have it with rounded corners? Write me an email with your idea and we will see if it is feasible to carry it out. These versions have an extra cost starting from 45€.