Is it just me, or is it impossible to get a Rider-Waite-Smith deck?

[Jessica]

I got into Tarot just before lockdown started, when a friend got me my first deck (Deviant Moon deck, and I love it) I’ve ways had a soft spot for the look and feel of the classic Rider-Waite-Smith deck, and I tried looking around for one online since I wasn’t comfortable going out to a store to look for one.

It seems like some version of this deck is sold along, but most of the reviews say that they’re poorly made knock-offs that can get away with it since the art of the original has passed into public domain. Does anyone know where I can get the deck? Or should I just wait until I can search in-person for it?

Discussion

[EnragedBlue]

Places like Amazon and eBay are rife with knock off decks and it is a bit tricky to weed out the duds from the legit ones (though the price is usually a dead giveaway: if it’s dirt cheap, it’s usually fake.) But a quick look at [Wordery](https://wordery.com/search?term=Rider+Waite+Tarot+Deck) or [Book Depository](https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=Rider+waite&search=Find+book#) shows legit decks that are of a good quality.

You could also search for reviews of RWS decks on YouTube, find one you like, and look in the video description to see if they link to where they purchased their deck, if you want to definitely make sure you’re getting the right one/a good copy.

[Glitched_Disciple]

Look at the USGames site, you might find something that you like. I got myself a centennial deck from them and it’s just good and plain deck. The only thing that bothers me a little bit is the tiny logomark at the corner of the card.

[XombieKyy]

I just ordered one from Amazon, it came today it looks and feels great

[Strange_sunlight]

An online search for Esoteric/New Age/spiritual/Theosophy bookshops in your city/area/state may turn up a local store that sells tarot decks and can post one out to you if you order on the website or over the phone. (Plus that supports a small business!)

[-KuroiNeko-]

I bought it from Amazon in Italy, and it is of great quality; you read the review and look at the photos, I think the chance of finding a bad version are low. Plus you can return it with no problems.

For reference my deck is made by AGM Urania, and they have various versions with different prices. I think you can buy from their site too.

I try to avoid Amazon, but in these cases it’s useful to see reviews.

[PineappleFlavoredGum]

Check out the 1909 Art Restoration version. Or the Centennial version, but I prefer the 1909 because it has no copyright text on cards

[svetahw]

My son got me my deck from earthbound, check out their website

[rushlight07]

I was actually told by a bookstore employee that the RWS deck was the most commonly stolen deck from stores, strangely enough. I ended up getting mine from a local metaphysical shop.

[paspartuu]

There’s a lot of professionally printed versions of the RWS available.

The thing is that iirc the original plates were destroyed in the London blitz during WWII; so all decks nowadays are reprints of existing copies. The deck itself has passed to public domain, but in the USA the person who founded US Games (?? iirc) managed to pull shenanigans and copyright their *traced copy* of the deck, so in the US market US Games is very vigilantly guarding their copyright still.

US Games produces at least a couple versions of the RWS; the very popular and affordable “The Rider deck”, which is cheap but a lot of people feel much too garish, the “Pamela Colman-Smith Centennial edition” or something lieke that which is a more faithful reproduction with muted colours, and probably some others, like the borderless version. Lo Scarabeo (US distribution by Llewellyn) probably also has some RWS version, like the Black and Gold deck.

I personally have an AGM Urania reproduction sold under the name “Tarot of A.E.Waite”, which is a faithful reproduction and I love it and the colours and the fact that there’s no logo at the corner- but AGM decks (from Germany, I think) are hard to find in the US because of, again, US Games monitors that market. But if you can find an online retailer, I give a recommendation. They produce the deck with 2 different backs and in 3 sizes, though, so pay attention when ordering lol

The poor quality knock-offs mainly come from Wish, Ebay etc, though there’s some sellers also on Amazon – you’re right to keep your guard up. But it’s very likely you’ll be able to find a legit, good quality RWS version on Amazon or bookdepository etc. It’s the most common and popular deck for a reason.

[Formal-Nectarine-296]

The copyright is about to expire on RWS.. in 2022 I think.. so until then you can find knock offs or pirated ones but not the actual real thing

[Rolland_Ice]

Never tried. I just got pictures and drew them on business card stock