Tarot Original 1909 Set - Cards & Book - restoration of the very first Rider-Waite-Smith
There are hundreds of versions of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. This is the only one that respects the colour palette and linework of the very first edition from 1909.
Pamela Colman Smith worked in watercolour. Her colours were softer than what you see in most contemporary editions. This kit restores those tones and brings the pen lines back to their original sharpness, without digital filters or oversaturation.
What is in the kit
The set contains 78 cards on high-grade cardstock with a matte finish. The format is classic: 70 x 120 mm. The cards come in a sturdy storage box.
The guidebook is written by Sasha Graham. She explains the symbolism and offers spreads. The text is accessible without being superficial. Graham knows the system and writes clearly.
Who this works for
This deck was designed as a learning tool. Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith deliberately created a system in 1909 that would be comprehensible even to non-initiates. Every card in the Minor Arcana shows a scene rather than just symbols, which makes interpretation more accessible.
Many modern tarot decks are based on this system. If you use one of those decks and want to know where the imagery comes from, this edition gives you the source.
When you first use the cards, lay them out in order and study the backgrounds. The 1909 edition often reveals details that were lost in later versions through brighter printing.
About Pamela Colman Smith
Pamela Colman Smith (1878-1951) was an artist and member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. She created the illustrations in close collaboration with occultist Arthur Edward Waite, who determined the symbolic structure.
Smith worked quickly. She completed all 78 cards in less than a year. Her style combines occult symbolism with an accessible, almost childlike imagery. That combination made the deck usable worldwide.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (Major and Minor Arcana)
- Card size: 70 x 120 mm
- Finish: high-grade cardstock with matte protective layer
- Guidebook: comprehensive guide by Sasha Graham (English)
- Storage box: sturdy deluxe box
- Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
- Language: English
- Artist: Pamela Colman Smith
- Symbolism designer: Arthur Edward Waite
Questions we often get
What makes the 1909 version different from other Rider-Waite-Smith editions?
This edition restores the colours and lines as they were printed in the very first publication. Most modern versions use brighter, saturated colours. Here you see the soft watercolour palette that Smith originally used.
Are the cards sturdy enough for daily use?
Yes. They are printed on durable cardstock with a protective coating. The matte finish makes them pleasant to shuffle and protects against wear.
