Tarot of A.E. Waite Pocket Deluxe English version

A.E. Waite Tarot Pocket Premium Edition - the Rider-Waite deck in pocket size

Few tarot cards are as recognizable as these. The Rider-Waite has been the standard since 1909, and nearly every modern tarot deck refers back to it in some way. This pocket edition brings the full set of 78 cards down to a compact size of 57 x 89 mm.

The cards are printed on sturdy cardstock with a glossy finish. They are the same illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith, just smaller. That makes them easy to carry, and for those with smaller hands or limited table space, this format works better than standard size.

What you see on the cards

Both the Major and Minor Arcana contain full scenes. That is what this deck owes its reputation to. Where older decks showed the pentacles, swords, wands and cups only as symbols, Smith drew a scene for every card.

That choice makes the deck more accessible. You see what is happening and can build a story around it, even if you do not yet know the fixed meanings by heart. The colors are clear but not intrusive: lots of yellow, blue and green, with red as an accent here and there.

Who this deck is designed for

This is a beginner's deck. Not because it is simple, but because nearly every tarot book refers to it. If you learn with this deck, you will recognize the symbolism everywhere. That speeds up learning.

The compact format also makes it suitable for daily use. Draw a card in the morning, put the deck in your bag, lay out a spread during your lunch break. The cards are small enough to take anywhere, but the illustrations remain easy to read.

Lay the cards next to a standard-size Rider-Waite once. You will notice that the small format actually sharpens the symbolism. There is less distraction, more focus.

About Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith

Arthur Edward Waite was a British mystic connected to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in the early 1900s. He established the symbolic structure of the deck and wrote the first accompanying texts.

Pamela Colman Smith translated that vision into images. She was an illustrator and theatre maker, and worked quickly: she completed the entire set of 78 cards in less than a year. Her style is simple but expressive, and it is precisely that clarity that makes the deck so usable.

The guidebook for this edition was written by Stuart R. Kaplan, founder of U.S. Games Systems and author of several standard works on tarot history.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
• Card size: 57 x 89 mm
• Finish: Glossy cardstock
• Card language: English (no text on the cards themselves, only titles)
• Guidebook: English booklet with card meanings and spreads
• Guidebook author: Stuart R. Kaplan
• Illustrator: Pamela Colman Smith
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
• Packaging: Sturdy cardboard storage box

Questions we often get

What is the difference between this pocket edition and the standard version?
Only the size. The illustrations, colors and contents are identical. The cards are smaller (57 x 89 mm versus 70 x 120 mm), which makes them easier to carry and take up less space during a reading.

Are the cards easy to read despite the small format?
Yes. Smith's illustrations are clear enough to see all the details even at this size. For those who have difficulty with small images, the standard version may be more comfortable, but for most people it is not a problem.