Backup Copies

[EmpyreanKnight]

They say that if you want to know which Tarot deck a reader considers absolutely essential - either because he/she likes it to bits or reads a lot with it - just ask which decks that person has backup copies of. I know that's a bit simplistic, I mean there might have been a sale the said reader just can't say no to, but I believe the gist still applies.

 

So how about you, which decks do you have duplicates of?

[EmpyreanKnight]

For me it's just two - the Smith-Waite Centennial and the Thoth and yup, I love them and they happen to be my go-to decks too.

[katrinka]

Backups purchased solely as backups because I know I'm going to beat the one I'm using to death?  Not different editions or sizes of a particular deck?

Dondorf and Spiel der Hoffnung pattern Lenormands, Grand Jeu Lenormand, and Original Kipperkarten. I don't love looking at them and/or studying them the way I do so many Tarots and Sibillas. I feel about as excited to see them as I do a dirty old shoe.

 

But old shoes will get you where you're going even if you have to walk all night. And those decks have paid a lot of bills for me.  :D

[Raggydoll]

The only backups I've bought so far, are for the centennial Smith-Waite and Stella's tarot. I bought the first one because my centennial is a workhorse and it is starting to show some wear (my Justice card got a chip and I was able to tell which card it was when I shuffled my cards). As far as Stella's tarot goes, I bought my first copy at a metaphysical store and simply loved it. I was super tempted to trim it, but then I found out that it had recently been taken out of print and got a bit hesitant. I really wanted a back-up copy but didn't think it would be possible to find another one for the same price. Then shortly afterwards I found another store that still had some decks left (at regular price), so yes.. I got a bit crazy and bought all (three) of them..  :o And I have not regretted it a bit. This deck means that much to me. But it is not something I plan on making a habit.

 

However, I have bought extras of older (vintage or out of print) tarot decks as an investment, to sell or trade (not to keep as a backup). This is only when I've found them at really good prices, though.

 

And I do have different versions of some decks (usually a newer and a vintage version, but also different sizes cause I love mini decks!). But that is also not for backup purposes. 

[EmpyreanKnight]

That's a smart move, Raggydoll! If I find out that the Barbara Walker is going to run out of stock like it did in its 2008 run, I'd buy 5 or more extra copies, and no I'm not kidding. But it must have felt really wonderful when you found out all those normal-priced, pristine copies of your hg deck when you've resigned yourself to its being OOP.

[Raggydoll]

EmpyreanKnight: Yeah, you can imagine the adrenaline rush I had when i found them! It was a similar high that I got when I found a 2012 Pierre Madenie deck, also for normal (in-print) price at the same store earlier this year. That was a good day indeed  ;D

 

I think we should start a new thread about buying decks as investments.. it would be really interesting to hear other people's stories, about their criterias and about which investments that has paid off (and which hasn't).

 

PS. Are you referring to the tin-version of Barbara Walker? I don't have it but have been contemplating getting it.

[EmpyreanKnight]

Lol I got my 2012 Madenié at a local store for only $34, and that's when it already fetched hundreds of dollars on Amazon so I know what you felt. :D

 

Oh yes! The Barbara Walker is an absolute gem of a deck, and is definitely in my top ten. I have the tin, which has smaller cards but bigger images compared to the 2008 edition, go figure.

[FLizarraga]

Oh, dear. What a can of worms...  ;D

 

 

Let's see. (This is only backups, NOT different editions.)

 

 

Kat Black's Golden Tarot (several)

Tarot of Vampyres (several)

Thoth (several)

Touchstone (one)

Robert M. Place's Vampire Tarot (one)

 

ETA

 

Renaissance Tarot (one)

Mary-El (several)

 

 

I will probably add a few more later on.

 

 

Tarot decks make lousy investments, IMHO --and gregory's, which I value a lot more than my own. I have not even tried, and never will.

 

 

And I loathe the speculation that has driven so high the prices of decks such as Baba's. I feel that Karen and Alex were the first victims of such speculation, and that it was one of the factors that drove them to price up their decks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Padma]

Hi Flizzy! So nice to see you :)

 

Hmmm, back up decks - NADA.

 

I no longer read for the public, and am really careful with my cards. So I no longer need seconds of things, as they don't wear out on the shelf ;)

[FLizarraga]

Hi Flizzy! So nice to see you :)

 

Hmmm, back up decks - NADA.

 

I no longer read for the public, and am really careful with my cards. So I no longer need seconds of things, as they don't wear out on the shelf ;)

 

 

Long time no see, my dear Padma!!!!!  ;D  I just haven't been around much.

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

ill buy a back up if I come across a deck I like and it is cheap. I love to shuffle cards and play with them and do magic tricks soooo i destroy a deck fast...

 

 

 

 

[EmpyreanKnight]

Oh, dear. What a can of worms...  ;D

 

 

Let's see. (This is only backups, NOT different editions.)

 

 

Kat Black's Golden Tarot (several)

Tarot of Vampyres (several)

Thoth (several)

Touchstone (one)

Robert M. Place's Vampire Tarot (one)

 

 

I will probably add a few more later on.

 

 

Tarot decks make lousy investments, IMHO --and gregory's, which I value a lot more than my own. I have not even tried, and never will.

 

 

And I loathe the speculation that has driven so high the prices of decks such as Baba's. I feel that Karen and Alex were the first victims of such speculation, and that it was one of the factors that drove them to price up their decks.

 

Lol your comment on your plethora of Golden Tarot backups along with your lone Renaissance made me ask this question, FLiz. I also didn't know that you have a deathly passion (pun unintended) for the Tarot of Vampyres too. :)

[FLizarraga]

Oh, dear. What a can of worms...  ;D

 

 

Let's see. (This is only backups, NOT different editions.)

 

 

Kat Black's Golden Tarot (several)

Tarot of Vampyres (several)

Thoth (several)

Touchstone (one)

Robert M. Place's Vampire Tarot (one)

 

 

I will probably add a few more later on.

 

 

Tarot decks make lousy investments, IMHO --and gregory's, which I value a lot more than my own. I have not even tried, and never will.

 

 

And I loathe the speculation that has driven so high the prices of decks such as Baba's. I feel that Karen and Alex were the first victims of such speculation, and that it was one of the factors that drove them to price up their decks.

 

Lol your comment on your plethora of Golden Tarot backups along with your lone Renaissance made me ask this question, FLiz. I also didn't know that you have a deathly passion (pun unintended) for the Tarot of Vampyres too. :)

 

 

Actually, the Renaissance is one of those I have one backup of (which could eventually lead to several, dontcha know). I'm flattered, anyway...  :D

 

 

It took me a while to warm up to the Vampyres. It seemed a bit 17ish --all those Goth types writhing about on roses and churchyard grounds, and WTF cards like the 10 of Grails and the 10 of Skulls. But the book is very good, and eventually won me over. And the art just grew on me, I guess.

 

I have something to add. I only have one extra copy of the Touchstone for moral reasons, as it is that rare thing, that unicorn: a gorgeous out of print deck that is still available and affordable, or was until recently anyway.

[Padma]

I have something to add. I only have one extra copy of the Touchstone for moral reasons, as it is that rare thing, that unicorn: a gorgeous out of print deck that is still available and affordable, or was until recently anyway.

 

I don't know how many copies they have left, but yes - it is still available at the Tarot Garden store, for $33 USD!  :o

 

ETA: I am still glad I got my copy some time ago from them. Though I really was sad that I missed out on the LE. I only discovered the deck after Kunati printing co. folded...thank all the gods and goddesses for Tarot Garden!

[FLizarraga]

I have something to add. I only have one extra copy of the Touchstone for moral reasons, as it is that rare thing, that unicorn: a gorgeous out of print deck that is still available and affordable, or was until recently anyway.

 

I don't know how many copies they have left, but yes - it is still available at the Tarot Garden store, for $33 USD!  :o

 

ETA: I am still glad I got my copy some time ago from them. Though I really was sad that I missed out on the LE. I only discovered the deck after Kunati printing co. folded...thank all the gods and goddesses for Tarot Garden!

 

 

  Yes! And they have seasonal coupons...  ;)

 

 

I read what you wrote somewhere else about not liking "cut-and-paste art," yet liking Kat Black's two truly magnificent decks. The same happens to me.

[Padma]

I read what you wrote somewhere else about not liking "cut-and-paste art," yet liking Kat Black's two truly magnificent decks. The same happens to me.

 

Funny that! I think it was because she used such gorgeous classical art, and did her touch-ups so tastefully...also, I love that unique thing about the Touchstone - everyone looks directly out of the cards, and directly at oneself! I love eye-contact, so to me, that makes the deck so perfect, and so - one of a kind.

 

But I digress ;) Off topic, yet again!  ::)

 

I have had to *replace* a few decks - usually the Connolly - wore them out reading for the public, and that one in particular seemed a favorite to clients - and in one particular case, because one of my dogs ate a card or two. I sold off the Tarot of Prague (with no regrets), and now, wouldn't you know it, the darned thing is calling to me again. I am resisting! (But if I should cave in, I shall send any attached scarves to you, of course, FLizz ;) )

[FLizarraga]

I read what you wrote somewhere else about not liking "cut-and-paste art," yet liking Kat Black's two truly magnificent decks. The same happens to me.

 

Funny that! I think it was because she used such gorgeous classical art, and did her touch-ups so tastefully...also, I love that unique thing about the Touchstone - everyone looks directly out of the cards, and directly at oneself! I love eye-contact, so to me, that makes the deck so perfect, and so - one of a kind.

 

But I digress ;) Off topic, yet again!  ::)

 

I have had to *replace* a few decks - usually the Connolly - wore them out reading for the public, and that one in particular seemed a favorite to clients - and in one particular case, because one of my dogs ate a card or two. I sold off the Tarot of Prague (with no regrets), and now, wouldn't you know it, the darned thing is calling to me again. I am resisting! (But if I should cave in, I shall send any attached scarves to you, of course, FLizz ;) )

 

 

PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT THE SCAAAAAAAAAAAARVES!!!!  :o

 

Full disclosure: There was this interesting collaborative deck made a couple of years ago, called the Slow Holler Tarot. I knew beforehand that it was not going to be a reader for me, but I wanted to give them my support. So I got their scarf... ;)

[Padma]

PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT THE SCAAAAAAAAAAAARVES!!!!  :o

 

Bwahahahahaha! Happy New Year, FLizzy ;)

[Jewel]

I am not sure if I would call them back-ups as I will most likely not rub the spots of them, but they are decks I loved enough to ensure I had a spare copy of in the event something ever happened to my original version LOL.  The decks are:

- Cosmic Tribe (ended up with a second copy when I wrote the publisher requesting a replacement card because my magician card had an ink stain in the margin) .... they sent me a whole new deck and I kept them both.

- Victorian Romantic Gold

 

Decks that are not identical, meaning they are different editions of the deck:

- Bohemian Gothic (Silver and standard)

- Baroque Bohemian Cats (original, gold, and second edition)

- Tarot of the Magical Forest (Leo Tang & LoScarabeo editions) - what can I say this deck makes me laugh

[Alta]

Several times I bought backups when decks came out because I loved them, and then sadly tired of them.  Most of those have been moved along to new homes.  I bought 5 (!) copies of BBCats because I loved it so much.  Now I have one copy and one back up.  Bought two copies of Wild Unknown when it first came out and sadly it did not work as well for me as I had hoped.  Still have them, never look at them.

 

 

Bought every edition of Tabula Mundi and a spare.  Now that one I use, a lot.  Several copies of Robin Wood, used to use it a lot, now not so much.

[katrinka]

PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT THE SCAAAAAAAAAAAARVES!!!!  :o

 

Bwahahahahaha! Happy New Year, FLizzy ;)

 

Slow Holler had a SCARF? Silk? Rayon? Or just that damn poly?

WHAT'D I MISS???

 

I think I will wear my Tarot of Prague scarf this weekend.

[EmpyreanKnight]

Several times I bought backups when decks came out because I loved them, and then sadly tired of them.  Most of those have been moved along to new homes.  I bought 5 (!) copies of BBCats because I loved it so much.  Now I have one copy and one back up.  Bought two copies of Wild Unknown when it first came out and sadly it did not work as well for me as I had hoped.  Still have them, never look at them.

 

 

Bought every edition of Tabula Mundi and a spare.  Now that one I use, a lot.  Several copies of Robin Wood, used to use it a lot, now not so much.

 

You made a very good point, Alta. If only passions weren't so ephemeral. I better be careful about the decks I stock up on.

[FLizarraga]

PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT THE SCAAAAAAAAAAAARVES!!!!  :o

 

Bwahahahahaha! Happy New Year, FLizzy ;)

 

 

Happy New Year, dear Padma!  ;D

[FLizarraga]

PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT THE SCAAAAAAAAAAAARVES!!!!  :o

 

Bwahahahahaha! Happy New Year, FLizzy ;)

 

Slow Holler had a SCARF? Silk? Rayon? Or just that damn poly?

WHAT'D I MISS???

 

I think I will wear my Tarot of Prague scarf this weekend.

 

 

This is the Slow Holler "hanky."

[katrinka]

Not bad. It looks like cotton.

But "hanky"? Those are for nose blowing!