Mini Tarot Original 1909 - Pocket Edition

Tarot Original 1909 - Mini Version - the original in pocket size

The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is the foundation of almost every modern tarot deck. This mini edition reproduces the original 1909 publication without changes. No recoloured version, no enhanced contrast. Just the drawings of Pamela Colman Smith as they were.

The format is 50 x 81 mm. Small enough to fit in a coat pocket, large enough to see the details. The cards are printed on black-core cardstock, which means they do not show through under artificial light and feel sturdy despite their size.

What you see on the cards

The imagery follows the Golden Dawn tradition, developed by Arthur Edward Waite and drawn by Pamela Colman Smith. All 78 cards are fully illustrated, including the Minor Arcana. That was unusual in 1909.

The colours are softer than what you might expect from many modern decks. Smith worked with watercolour, pen and ink. That gives an organic quality, not flat digital tones. The lines are fine, sometimes almost fragile. That suits the symbolism: much happens in gestures, glances, the position of a body.

The cards have no border, only a thin white line. That makes them calmer to look at.

Why this format works

A mini deck requires a different way of shuffling. Two hands work better than one. The cards are less suited for large table spreads, but practical for a daily card or a three-card reading.

The format makes the deck portable. You can carry it without it being noticed. For those who regularly draw a card while travelling, that is an advantage.

Draw a card in the morning before you leave the house. Place it in your wallet or breast pocket. Look at it again halfway through the day and notice what has changed in how you see it.

The guidebook by Sasha Graham

The deck comes with a compact English guidebook written by Sasha Graham. She gives a short description of the symbolism for each card and a few keywords. No long stories, but enough to get started.

Graham writes clearly and without fuss. She assumes you want to get to know the cards yourself, not adopt a fixed system.

About Pamela Colman Smith and Arthur Edward Waite

Pamela Colman Smith drew this deck in 1909 on commission from Arthur Edward Waite, a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Smith was an artist who also designed theatre sets and illustrated stories. She worked quickly and intuitively.

Waite determined the symbolism, Smith translated it into image. Her choices are still the standard in the tarot world. Almost every modern deck refers to her work.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Card size: 50 x 81 mm
• Cardstock: Black-core
• Finish: Smooth
• Guidebook language: English
• Guidebook author: Sasha Graham
• Design: Pamela Colman Smith (illustrations), Arthur Edward Waite (symbolism)
• Packaging: Sturdy cardboard box

Questions we often get

Is this the same version as the standard Rider-Waite deck?
Yes, the images are identical to the original 1909 edition. The only difference is the size.

Are the cards not too small to see the details?
The print is sharp enough to distinguish all symbols clearly. For those who have trouble with small print or fine lines, the format might be limiting, but for most people it poses no problem.