Tarot of A.E. Waite Deluxe Edition King Sized - classic Rider-Waite in a larger format
Few tarot decks have shaped the practice as decisively as the one Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith published in 1909. Nearly every modern deck carries its influence. This is that deck, in a larger format than the standard edition, with a card back that returns to the very first printing.
The reverse shows the brown pebble pattern used in the original 1909 release. The fronts are a reprint that takes the colours of the historical cards as its reference point. That combination makes this set both a working deck and a closer connection to where the tradition started.
What is in the box
The set comes in a sturdy bottom-lid box. The 78 cards measure 99 by 169 millimetres, noticeably larger than the standard format. The size is felt immediately when you hold them: the imagery is easier to read during a spread.
The guidebook runs to 96 pages and includes texts by Rachel Pollack and Johannes Fiebig. Pollack is one of the most influential tarot writers of the twentieth century. Fiebig is a German author who has worked with the Rider-Waite tradition for decades. Together they give this edition considerably more context than most standard releases.
What sets this apart from a regular edition
The format is the most obvious difference. But the historical pebble back is at least as notable for many people. Standard Rider-Waite releases typically use a blue or otherwise updated back design; this deck returns to what Waite and Smith put on press in 1909.
The fronts are not a digitally smoothed or reinterpreted version. They take the original colours as their starting point. Anyone familiar with the historical cards will notice the difference from the flatter reprints that have become common in recent decades.
About Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith
Arthur Edward Waite was a British-American occultist and a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. He designed the system behind the deck, including the detailed figurative imagery on the minor arcana, cards that in older decks were rarely illustrated with scenes.
Pamela Colman Smith drew all 78 cards at Waite's direction. Her contribution was long overlooked; the deck was simply called the 'Waite Tarot' for much of its history. It is now more widely referred to as the Rider-Waite-Smith, acknowledging her surname. Her illustrations became the visual language on which most Western tarot is built.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Dimensions: 99 x 169 mm
- Guidebook: 96 pages, texts by Rachel Pollack and Johannes Fiebig
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9783038194743
- Packaging: Sturdy lidded box
- Authors: Arthur Edward Waite, Pamela Colman Smith
Questions we often get
How does the artwork differ from other Rider-Waite editions?
The fronts are a reprint based on the historical 1909 colours, placing them closer to the original release than many current versions. The back uses the brown pebble pattern from the first printing, which most modern editions no longer include.
Is the guidebook suitable if you are new to tarot?
The guidebook contains texts by Rachel Pollack and Johannes Fiebig and offers considerably more depth than a basic keyword list. The 96 pages allow for real explanation, though the writing assumes you are willing to read and reflect rather than simply look things up quickly.
