US Games Smith-Waite(r) Centennial Tarot Deck Cards – 20 Aug. 2013

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.

If you're like me and wanted to get a high quality Rider-Waite-Smith deck with the original artwork this is the one you need. There are so many versions of this deck available to buy online and almost every single one has an issue. Either the artwork is poorly printed, the colours are sickeningly bright, the art has been redesigned, the cards are too small (like the size of playing cards), the quality of the cards are poor and are hard to handle...the list goes on and on.This deck is a brilliant size, the art is crisp and clean while the colours are subtle but not washed out. The cards have a great feel and are a great thickness as they're thick enough to not be flimsy yet still easy to shuffle. I collect tarot decks personally but this remains my go to deck when doing readings and is the sole deck I think of when I think of tarot. To put simply, this is my deck.

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.

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.

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.

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.