Original tarot cards are decks that stay faithful to a historical tradition, Marseille or the 1909 illustrated deck, and are well made. No certificate makes one deck more authentic than another.
If you want Pamela Colman Smith's original 1909 illustrations, look at Borderless Vintage Tarot – Light Edition and Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot.
1909 illustrations
Borderless Vintage Tarot
Borderless Vintage Tarot Cards — Light Edition, 1909 Classic Art
Borderless cards with Pamela Colman Smith's original 1909 illustrations, a printed guidebook and a protective box.
View the deckWhat "original" really means for a tarot deck
People who search for original tarot cards usually fear a poor copy: faded colours, cards that bend, pictures that differ from the books. That is a reasonable worry, but the word "original" needs care.
A tarot deck has no single owner. There are historical traditions, such as the Tarot de Marseille, and an illustrated deck from 1909, and every modern edition reproduces them with more or less care. For us a deck is original when it respects the tradition it declares and is built to last.
This is why we do not talk about certificates of authenticity. They do not exist for ordinary tarot decks, and anyone who promises one deserves a second look. What counts is a set of details you can check yourself before you pay.
Original tarot cards: the checklist before you buy
Compare any deck against these seven points. The table also says what to look for on the product page.
| What to check | Why it matters | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Card count | A complete deck allows every spread. | 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. |
| Stated tradition | It tells you what the deck reproduces. | A clear name: Marseille, or 1909 illustrations with the artist named. |
| Card stock | It decides whether the cards stay stiff as you shuffle. | The gsm value written on the page, not only "thick card". |
| Finish | It changes the feel in the hand and the reflections. | Matte anti-scratch lamination, or a foil that is stated. |
| Size | It affects grip and layout. | Cards of about 7 by 12 cm (roughly 2.75 by 4.7 inches), stated consistently. |
| Guidebook | It helps in the first months of study. | A printed guidebook, with its language stated. |
| Box | It protects the cards in transit and over time. | A sturdy rigid or tuck box, described on the page. |
A serious seller writes these facts plainly. If a page leaves them all out, that does not prove poor quality, but it leaves you guessing. For a wider test of physical quality, read how to tell if a tarot deck is good quality.
The two traditions that define a faithful deck
The Tarot de Marseille
This is the tradition codified in France during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its number cards show arrangements of symbols, not scenes: Batons, Cups, Swords and Coins. It is read through number, suit and the court and trump figures.
A faithful Marseille deck therefore has simple geometric pip cards. If you see people on the cards from two to ten, it is not this tradition. To learn how to choose and buy a Marseille deck, read the guide to choosing and buying a Tarot de Marseille deck.
The illustrated deck of 1909
It was published in London in December 1909 by Rider & Company. Arthur Edward Waite designed the scheme and Pamela Colman Smith painted all 78 cards. What was new is that the Minor Arcana also show a full scene, which was rare before then.
Two signs help you recognise it: Strength is card 8 and Justice is card 11, swapped from the Marseille order. The Minor Arcana also carry people and landscapes, for example the heart pierced by three swords. If a deck claims this tradition but does not name the artist, ask why.
Signs that call for a closer look
You do not need to suspect anyone. You only need to read carefully. A few signs deserve one more check before you buy.
- The tradition is not named, or it changes from one line of the page to the next.
- The product images are renderings, not photographs of the real cards.
- Size or card weight are written in different ways on the same page.
- Certificates, collector value or rarity are promised without any proof.
- The page does not say whether a guidebook is in the box, or in which language.
None of these points alone shows that a deck is poor. Together they tell you to ask the seller more questions. For a general comparison of the kinds of deck that exist, see types of tarot decks.
Our decks in brief
Borderless Vintage Tarot – Light Edition carries Pamela Colman Smith's original 1909 illustrations and has no white borders: the picture runs to the edge of the card. It is white 350 gsm card with matte anti-scratch lamination, and the set includes a 36-page printed guidebook and a protective box.
If you like the same 1909 pictures with a more decorative finish, there is Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot. It also carries the original illustrations, printed on 350 gsm art cardstock with holographic crystal foil and anti-scratch lamination.
1909 illustrations, with foil
Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot
Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot Cards — 1909 Classic Art
Pamela Colman Smith's original 1909 illustrations printed with holographic crystal foil, with a printed guidebook and a protective box.
View the deckHolographic Crystal Foil Tarot comes with a printed guidebook that covers all 78 cards, upright and reversed, and a protective card box. The foil shifts through the rainbow spectrum as you tilt each card.
We do not list a Marseille deck in this shop, so we do not describe one here as ours. If you want that tradition, the checklist above applies in the same way, and the Marseille guide linked earlier explains what to look for.
How to choose between the two decks
The choice depends on how you want to read. Both decks keep the scenes on every card, so you can learn from the pictures: the scene helps you remember. The Light Edition has a warm palette and no glare under a reading lamp, which suits quiet daily reading and long study sessions.
The Holographic Crystal Foil is for readers who also want the cards to catch the light. The meaning of each card stays the same; only the finish changes. If you are drawn to reading by number and symbol instead, the Marseille tradition asks for a different method: you build the meaning from suit and number, not from a scene.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a tarot deck is original?
Check that it has 78 cards, that the tradition is stated clearly and that the page gives card stock, finish and size. If the artist of an illustrated deck is named, that is a good sign.
Is there a certificate of authenticity for tarot decks?
Not for ordinary decks, and we do not promise one. What you can check are the written specifications and real photographs of the product.
Are your decks original tarot cards?
Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition and Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot carry Pamela Colman Smith's original 1909 illustrations. We do not make or sell a Marseille deck, and we make no claim about certificates.
Which card stock should I look for?
It depends on use. Card around 350 gsm, like the Light Edition, is stiff and handles shuffling well. If a page states nothing, ask the seller.
Can I start with a Marseille deck as a beginner?
Yes, but it needs a method based on numbers and suits. If you prefer to learn from pictures, an illustrated deck is more immediate.
To browse every edition, visit the collection of all tarot decks.
A full tarot course in English comes with every deck.
Includes a free full tarot course in English
Includes a free full tarot course in English
