Tarrocchino al Soldato - an 18th-century Bolognese deck with 62 cards
Not every tarot deck has 78 cards. In Bologna a separate tradition developed from the 16th century onward in which the Tarocchino counted 62 cards, with specific changes to the structure. This deck is a reproduction of an 18th-century example and shows how that Bolognese line evolved.
It is published in the Anima Antiqua series by Lo Scarabeo. This is a series in which historical decks are reprinted based on originals held in museum collections and private ownership. Each edition is numbered and comes in a sturdy storage box.
What you see on the cards
The imagery comes from 18th-century Bologna. The figures are drawn with clean lines, clear contours and a limited colour palette. Yellow, red and blue dominate. The colours are matte and have the slightly faded appearance of old paper.
All cards have been restored from the original, which means small irregularities and printing techniques from that period remain visible. This gives the deck a documentary character.
What makes a Tarocchino deck different
In the Bolognese tradition certain cards were omitted. The result is a deck of 62 cards instead of 78. The structure of the major arcana is largely the same, but the numbering and order differ from the later Marseille and Rider-Waite systems.
The minor arcana contain fewer cards per suit. This requires a different approach to laying out and interpreting the cards. There is no English guidebook included with this deck. The accompanying information is limited to a brief explanation of the origin and structure.
This is not a deck to start with if you want to learn tarot. It is a deck that shows what tarot looked like historically outside the familiar French and English traditions.
Who this deck works for
This deck has been published for collectors and for readers interested in the historical development of tarot in Northern Italy. The divergent structure makes it less suitable for those accustomed to a standard 78-card set.
Many people who buy this deck use it alongside a more modern deck, or study it as reference material. The numbered edition and careful production also make it attractive as a collectible.
About Lo Scarabeo and the Anima Antiqua series
Lo Scarabeo is an Italian publisher that has been producing tarot and oracle cards since 1987. The Anima Antiqua series focuses specifically on reissuing historical decks. Each deck in the series is based on originals preserved in archives or private collections.
The reproduction technique aims to preserve the original colours and details without modern adjustments. This results in cards that look like historical documents, with all the quirks of the original printing technique.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 62
- Size: 68 x 128 mm
- Material: premium cardstock
- Packaging: luxury storage box
- Special features: numbered limited edition
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Series: Anima Antiqua
- Language of accompanying information: English
Questions we often get
How does a Tarocchino deck differ from a regular tarot deck?
A Tarocchino has 62 cards instead of 78. In the Bolognese tradition certain cards from the minor arcana were omitted. The order and numbering of the major arcana also differ from later systems such as Marseille or Rider-Waite.
Does this deck come with a guidebook?
There is limited accompanying information in English, with an explanation of the origin and structure of the deck. No extensive card meanings or spreads are included.
