🃏 Tarot & Divination −18%

Tarot de Marseille: Paris 1890: Anima Antiqua

✍️ Giordano Berti, Lo Scarabeo
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$35.95 $44.00 Save $8.05 (18%)
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A study of Giordano Berti's 1890 Paris Tarot de Marseille edition.

The text centers on a rare artifact from the late nineteenth century. It details the production of a deck by Baptiste-Paul Grimaud between 1891 and 1899. This work is part of the Tarot de Besançon tradition, which originated in a specific French town. The edition is notable for substituting the traditional Arcana. Giordano Berti provides expert commentary on the art and philosophy behind these cards. Lo Scarabeo created the deck, emphasizing artistic value and innovation while preserving tradition. Llewellyn Publications handles distribution in North America. The book offers a focused look at this specific historical period rather than general tarot theory.

Key Themes
Tarot de Besançon tradition Baptiste-Paul Grimaud production Arcana substitution
Literary Context

This work examines the Tarot de Besançon tradition, named for the French town where these cards were originally printed. It focuses on the period between 1891 and 1899, when Baptiste-Paul Grimaud produced this specific deck in Paris.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Arthur Edward Waite · Erich Neumann · Carl Jung · Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot
🃏
Tarot & Divination
🏛 Llewellyn Publications 📅 2024 📖 32 pages ISBN: 9780738779218
Fun Fact
This Anima Antiqua reproduction offers an invaluable window into a less-explored corner of Tarot history. Its faithful rendition of Grimaud's unique Tarot de Besançon variant is a treasure for historians and collectors, revealing the dynamic evolution of card symbolism. While it may disappoint those seeking a purely traditional, unadulterated Marseille experience for immediate divinatory practice, its scholarly importance and artistic curiosity are undeniable. It firmly establishes itself as a significant archival piece within the broader Tarot lineage.

📝 Description: Tarot de Marseille: Paris 1890: Anima Antiqua

This slim volume presents a specific historical artifact: the Tarot de Marseille produced in Paris during 1890. The text attributes the work to Giordano Berti and Lo Scarabeo, with publication handled by Llewellyn Publications. It examines a unique variant belonging to the Tarot de Besançon tradition, named for the French town where these cards were originally printed. The edition focuses on the period between 1891 and 1899, when Baptiste-Paul Grimaud produced this deck. A notable feature of this series is its curious substitution of the Arcana, a detail that distinguishes it from standard Marseille decks. Giordano Berti brings expertise in the history, art, and philosophy of tarot to this study. As a prolific author who has collaborated with prestigious entities, he provides context for collectors and readers interested in the evolution of these cards. Lo Scarabeo, known for originality and quality, is the creator of the deck featured here. Llewellyn serves as the exclusive distributor of their products in North America. The book contains 32 pages and measures approximately 4.32 centimeters in height. This title suits those who study the specific lineage of French tarot printing or collect editions from the late nineteenth century. It may not appeal to readers seeking modern interpretations or general divination guides. The content remains focused on the physical and historical attributes of this particular Grimaud production. Berti’s analysis helps clarify the place of this deck within the broader tradition. The work stands as a record of a specific moment in esoteric publishing history.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
While this publication offers a compelling look at a niche variant of the Tarot de Marseille, it is not for casual readers seeking standard Rider-Waite-Smith imagery or straightforward instructional guides. The peculiar substitutions in the Major Arcana may confuse those unfamiliar with the Besançon lineage's structural nuances. It requires a foundational knowledge of tarot history to fully appreciate the significance of Grimaud’s deviations from standard Marseille patterns. Consequently, it is strictly for dedicated occultists and historians who value archival accuracy over accessibility. Those expecting a practical how-to guide for divination will likely find it lacking in direct application, preferring instead the scholarly context provided.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Enthusiasts of esoteric history and tarot scholars will find this volume indispensable for its meticulous reproduction of a rare Parisian deck from 1890. Readers interested in the evolution of divinatory systems will appreciate the glimpse into how tradition took unexpected turns during the occult revival. This book is particularly valuable for those studying the Tarot de Besançon lineage, as it offers unique insights into localized adaptations and shifting interpretations of the Major Arcana. It serves as a fascinating resource for understanding the artistic and symbolic divergences that occurred in Grimaud's work, providing a tangible connection to a specific moment in occult history where ancient systems were being reimagined.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
If you are a seasoned Tarot enthusiast, a historical playing card collector, or someone captivated by the intricate evolution of esoteric symbolism, this deck offers a profound journey. Discover the fascinating deviations within the Tarot de Marseille tradition and deepen your appreciation for its…

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

While this publication offers a compelling look at a niche variant of the Tarot de Marseille, it is not for casual readers seeking standard Rider-Waite-Smith imagery or straightforward instructional guides. The peculiar substitutions in the Major Arcana may confuse those unfamiliar with the Besançon lineage's structural nuances. It requires a foundational knowledge of tarot history to fully appreciate the significance of Grimaud’s deviations from standard Marseille patterns. Consequently, it is strictly for dedicated occultists and historians who value archival accuracy over accessibility. Those expecting a practical how-to guide for divination will likely find it lacking in direct application, preferring instead the scholarly context provided.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Its primary distinction lies in the unique card substitutions within the Major Arcana, a characteristic feature of the Tarot de Besançon lineage and specifically Grimaud's 1890s production, deviating from more common Marseille patterns.
This is a faithful reproduction of a specific historical deck produced by Baptiste-Paul Grimaud between 1891 and 1899, belonging to the Tarot de Besançon tradition, preserving its original design and unique features.

📖 Who should read this

If you are a seasoned Tarot enthusiast, a historical playing card collector, or someone captivated by the intricate evolution of esoteric symbolism, this deck offers a profound journey. Discover the fascinating deviations within the Tarot de Marseille tradition and deepen your appreciation for its rich, varied past.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Marseille Tradition Variants

This deck showcases how the foundational Tarot de Marseille evolved through regional printing houses. It highlights the dynamic nature of early Tarot production, where local artisans and publishers, like Grimaud, introduced subtle yet significant alterations, providing a rich tapestry of historical interpretations beyond the standardized models we often see today.

Historical Card Evolution

Explore the fascinating trajectory of playing and divinatory cards through this 1890 Grimaud deck. It offers a tangible example of how specific card designs shifted over time, reflecting cultural influences and individual artistic choices, particularly in the unique substitutions within the Major Arcana, making it a valuable historical artifact.

Collecting Esoteric Decks

For the discerning collector, this reproduction represents a rare opportunity to own a historically significant Tarot de Besançon variant. Its specific provenance from Grimaud and its unusual card changes elevate it beyond a mere divination tool into a prized piece of occult ephemera, appealing to those who appreciate the nuanced history of Tarot art.

📜 Historical context

This "Paris 1890" deck emerges from the esteemed Tarot de Besançon tradition, a distinctive branch of the larger Tarot de Marseille family. These decks, named for their prevalence in the French town, are known for their unique iconographic deviations. Grimaud's late 19th-century rendition exemplifies this, presenting a compelling historical snapshot of localized innovation during a period of burgeoning occult interest and scholarly re-evaluation of Tarot's origins.

📚 Glossary

Tarot de Marseille
Tarot de Besançon
Major Arcana

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How do the unique card substitutions in this deck influence your initial intuitive understanding of the Major Arcana's traditional meanings?
  2. Considering the historical context of the late 19th century, what societal or occult shifts might have inspired Grimaud's alterations to the classic Tarot de Marseille?
  3. If you were to design your own variant of a historical Tarot, which cards would you change, and what new symbolic meanings would you infuse into them?

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