Smith-Waite(r) Centennial Tarot Deck

I was looking for an antique reproduction Rider Waite Smith Tarot deck and this is the best ive found. Most people in the UK seem to go for the so called 'Original Rider Waite' which although it does have nice faded colours also has a few things I dont like such as all the blues have turned to green from light exposure and many of the faces are red, blotchy or look redrawn? Look carefully at the Fool card compaired to the illustration in Waite's own Pictorial Key to the Tarot book and you will see what I mean. I can only assume that deck is more popular here because its the only version you see in shops in the UK these days. I think the publishers should change the front cover, although the additional cards with Pamela's artwork are a great addition I think it would be best placed on the back of the box so people know this is the iconic Smith Waite Tarot deck. I discovered that the Centennial edition deck is much preffered by Tarot collectors and readers outside the UK and now I understand why. This deck has a much better range of colours which give a better idea of the original artwork as painted by Pamela. The faces are clear and in keeping with the artists style. The artwork has crisper black lines and unlike other reproduction decks the borders are not stark white but keep the off white vintage look all the way to the edges. Ive compaired this deck with other Rider Waite versions and I noticed that this one has more of the image on each card which says to me that this is a more authentic deck. See the King of Cups for a clear example of this, we now see the full fish in the sea. The card is semi matt and the deck is printed on nice thick card stock. I feel like im stepping back in time when I read with this deck, so beautiful and magical. If your looking for a high quality antique looking deck with muted colours, plenty of symbolic detail and countless books that work with the symbolism this could be the one for you.

I had the Radient RWS, which works fine, I guess, until you get annoyed by the very bright colours. The Centennial edition was on my list for quite some time, I wasn't sure how my small-ish hands would get along with this deck, but I ordered it when I saw it was on sale. What can I say? This deck is amazing, the colours are great, muted in a beautiful way, they really let the symbolism speak. Shuffles amazingly, and I like the simplicity of this classic. I would recommend it as a starter deck or for people who aren't too familiar with tarot, because the classic look of this deck will give them a bit of comfort.

I cannot recommend this deck enough. I knew it would be beneficial to get a Rws deck when choosing to explore this particular tarot and the symbology linked to this artwork. I've never been a huge fan on this type of art and found other rws decks or clones to be too bright or the line work too thick and pen like. When I found the centennial I was elated. I love the muted colours and slight aged appearance it has. I feel taken back by this version rather than The contrast I felt with other older artwork but new age colours. The backs are the best design for my personal taste and so is the cardstock. Nice and sturdy. It's much more inline with my wild unknown second edition card (different material) than my Llewellyn and other US game decks I've had in the past. This is something I prefer, whilst it still has a flexibility to it there's a feeling it will last. I love the four additional cards with smiths artwork on and have them displayed in my artroom. I also know people who add them into the deck and use them as intuitive oracle messages. Comes with a small lwb however there are books for this deck all over. There's always the commemorative deck with the pictorial book as part of the set. Happy to finally have a rws deck and would recommend to anyone who's considering one or feels drawn to this is particular.

In my humble opinion, this is the definitive RWS deck, no question. The vintage, sepia tones are mellow and soothing (unlike other neon 'egg yolk' yellow versions), the details are far more refined (yes, I'm looking at YOU, crappy-awful-shameful 'Original' RWS deck!) and finally the backs - featuring Coleman-Smith's monogram with the Death's banner White Rose of York - are simple and beautiful. Generally the RWS deck isn't overly busy or ornate, but the more muted shades of this edition make it prefect for keeping focus during readings or when you're learning the interpretations. This is a lovely deck to work with, a perfectly balanced colour palette, not too big for shuffling and nice quality cardstock. Overall, highly recommended.

These cards are beautiful. They have a vintage feel so the cardstock isn't bright white. The muted colours are beautiful. Cards are a great size and thickness. Not too thin and shuffle well, but not too thick like some of the more modern decks. The extra cards you get show some more of Pamela Colman Smith's artwork which is a lovely bonus. Only downside is that some of the cards seem to have been printed slightly off centre but it's not too noticeable. I'm very happy with this deck.

So I am one of those people who never really liked the original Smith Waite art style... Until this deck! I really never connected with the bright colours and harsh line in the original decks, and I have never enjoyed the backs either. And then I found this deck, the colours are muted and beautiful. The card itself is sort of aged rather than that harsh white and the card backs are BEAUTIFUL! The carstock is really good quality, not too flimsy not so strong that you struggle to shuffle. They are what I'd call a standard sized deck. I connected with this deck so much. It has given me such clear readings that have been spot on every time and it really is my all time favourite deck now. If you are a begginner or a seasoned professional I highly recommend this deck.

Maybe the art work could have been printed in brighter colours, but it is authentic and delightful. I would have like a little more in the booklet.

I was skeptical at first , my Mrs has a right gob on her and has no quibbles in voicing her opinion .. but now she can pull out these silly cards and tell all her friends that thoer partner is cheating or somebody gonna have a baby etc and get hours of pure gossip and backlash. She has made 0 accurate predictions about anything but I'm gonna elevate that to a score of 1 as she predicted that I broke her vase but I reckon that was just a good guess I'm still gonna blame the cat . On a more serious note I had a look at the cards and they look nice and was nicely packaged. After all the drama she started I've hidden the cards away , she may buy another set to find out where the first set have gone .