Looking For Historical Timeline of RWS Editions

[Elin by the Sea]

Hello,

 

I once came across a link that had a listing of the dates of publication of RWS decks over the years and some of the characteristics.  I can no longer find it anywhere (this was some years ago).  So, I wonder if anyone knows of such a thing?  Preferably something that describes the differences between editions (ie: markings on the cards, color changes, copyright symbols, logos, etc... and roughly when they were published).  Basically anything that can help in dating an RWS deck.

 

Thanks!

[PathWalker]

Quoting Gregory - from the old AT pages - hope she won't mind . . .

 

 

 

It fell over ages ago when comcast was taken over by - something (xfinity ?) As she hadn't been doing anything with it for ages, she didn't migrate it, I assume. You can get almost all of it still through the wayback machine - I think it was Truelighth posted a link here somewhere, or just go there.

 

https://web.archive.org/web/*/home.c...lex/index.html#

 

ETA DON'T click the link at the top - that takes you to the dead page. Click on one of the dates highlighted in the calendar, and then use the links in the page that comes up - the grey mess ! (Apologies if you already KNEW how to use the wayback...!)

 

 

[Elin by the Sea]

 

https://web.archive.org/web/*/home.c...lex/index.html#

 

Thank you for the reply, but the link seems to have got chewed up a bit and won't work.

[CharlotteK]

There is this...

http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=85278

 

But seems to only cover the very early period of the 'blue box'.

 

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

 

[Elin by the Sea]

That's actually very helpful - thanks!

[gregory]

Mary Greer's general time line is useful:

 

http://tarotator.com/a-timeline-of-tarot-from-1750-to-1980/

 

This is a link that MAY work for you:

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20151002120734/http://home.comcast.net/~vilex/index.html

 

The Fools page shows most editions:

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20151002120737/http://home.comcast.net/~vilex/ShipofFools.html

 

There are other links on that site, but a few will take you to a blank home page. Don't panic - use my first link again !

[gregory]

(I think it was screwed before because someone copied a post from AT that truncated it...)

 

I have begged Holly to set it up on another server - but no response.

[gregory]

I found this on a weird website:

 

I am also a collector of all things rider waite smith decks , books ect ect, & I have a good few 2nd print decks with 2 x editions of the Blushing Fool decks, a rare TUCKBOX, blue box edition, this was the first box they used , then changed to the 2 part box system,

 

Which suggests the blue tuck box was the FIRST version post Pam A, B, C and D.

 

As I have one this makes me very happy. Please visit my new thread:

 

https://www.thetarotforum.com/tarot-decks/blue-tuckbox-rider-waite-deck-who-has-one/?topicseen

[Elin by the Sea]

Thanks everyone that replied - this was all super helpful!

 

That's quite a collector piece, gregory - I'm jealous  ;)

[Raggydoll]

Such a fun topic! I have the 1960s University Books RWS and a blushing fool RWS (ca 1972) Both are missing their original boxes, but since I am first and foremost a reader and not a pure collector, I don’t mind it all that much. And I like (old) decks that are worn and that feel like they have an interesting story behind them!

[gregory]

Thanks everyone that replied - this was all super helpful!

 

That's quite a collector piece, gregory - I'm jealous  ;)

There's one for sale on this very site....

[truelighth]

There are two websites that give more info on the historical RWS now. The first is an article on World of Playing Cards, written by yours truly. I have taken up the research from the late Frank Jensen (together with some other people) in hope of uncovering the complete timeline one day.

 

The article can be found here:

Www.wopc.co.uk/tarot/rider-waite

 

Another site is:

waitesmith.org

 

This site has been set up as a virtual museum, with the intention of publishing all info on the research (I work with the owner). It also contains more info on DeLaurence and post-1939 versions.

 

In short, the current timeline is:

 

Nov 1909 pam Roses&Lilies

April 1910 -1920 Pam-A

1920 Pam-D

1920 - 1930 Pam-C

1931 -1939 Pam-B

 

The C and D versions seem to be published in the same time. This is still one of rhe big questions left open. It is posdible that the bad production of the D (maybe experimental) wasn't satisfactory and lead to the commision of a new copyist and the production of the C.

 

After 1939:

1960 University Books version

1960's Merrimack version

1971 USGames version

1972 Rider blue tuckbox version

1973 - 1980 other Rider blue box versions

 

Also, on the DeLaurence:

1916 yellow DeLaurence with white back and square corners

1943 yellow DeLaurence, orange back, round corners

1955 orange DeLaurence

1963 red DeLaurence

 

Unfortunally Holly's site has disappeared. I have tried to contact her many times with no result.

 

Oh yes, for those interested: there are now 5 know copies of the Roses&Lilies deck. From which two have a letter of Rider that the buyer could exchange it for a new edition in spring of 1910.