Raggydoll Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 I just wanted to let everyone know that there is a seller on etsy that is listing fake decks and fake original drawings by Pamela Colman Smith. These fakes are, to me, extremely obvious so I don't think it will fool many people that know anything about Pamela or about the RWS, but still, this person seems to have made quite a few sales so I felt it was worth to make sure they don't get away with it. I urge everyone to report it. And in case the site is taken down, I thought some of you might enjoy a peek at the blatant lies and the fantastic quality fakes that are on offer 😁 https://www.etsy.com/shop/TAROTKAT Description of the drawings (scroll down for some images!): "This is one item from a recent discovery of vintage art, believed to be the work of Pamela Coleman smith, who designed the famous Rider Waite Tarot cards in 1909. The artist is known for other work, but is best known today for her designs of the best selling tarot deck of all time, first published in 1910 in London. The signature is correct for the named artist, but this may also have been work by the artists pupils (if any) as we have no knowledge of the detailed life of the artist. The work is dated 1909.This appears to be an early preparatory pen and ink and watercolour work, for the tarot card the Ace of Cups. It is one of 6 near identical renditions of this tarot card, all with very slight colour variations and minor changes to content. Artists are known for numerous prep studies to isolate final colour and composition needs. It bears the signature of the artist and is on vintage paper roughly A6 size, although is not exactly A6 as not perfectly straight cut edges. Paper is good thick quality art paper and has kept quite good colour and minimal fading, despite some slight discolouration of the paper.Part of a set of over 240 pieces unearthed in a house clearance, this set is believed to be the only surviving tarot card art from the artists six month project to produce a deck of cards by December 1909. The final versions submitted to the publishers are thought lost, and this painting shows an early developing stage of the card, albeit very recognizable as it's final version. The set is probably the only surviving original art for the Rider Waite deck, as after much research, nothing from the artists Tarot commission in 1909 now appears to exist aside from the printed tarot decks.Little is known about this item from a folder found in a house clearance at the Lizard in Cornwall, but the artist was known to have lived at a house in the Lizard up until 1938 called Parc Garland. The house still exists in private ownership. The folder was originally found during renovations at Parc Garland in 1964, and placed into storage and forgotten about, until found recently in the area.The painting is in good condition for its age, but slightly discoloured on the rear, possible water damage at some point. I have consulted an expert who has confirmed this is indeed art paper from the last century, and that the artists signature appears correct, and has advised me of its current value as a small, period piece of work, but cannot comment on extra value as an early painting for the best selling tarot deck of all time as no precedent exists for auction. You could get a good future investment here.I will be selling many more of these, I have over 240, all of which believed to have been painted during the summer of 1909 at a country house in Kent called Smallhythe, where the artist is known to have spent many Summers with her friend, the actress Ellen Terry. There are different drawings and watercolours of most of the tarot deck, some very early sketches and near complete work. Please do not contact me to purchase the whole collection as I prefer to sell individual items only.The painting will be shipped, fully insured, anywhere in the world, fully packed and protected as fitting for vintage art.Please note that I offer no warranty re the authenticity of this item. I only know it is signed with the recognised artist Signature, certainly hand painted and not printed or digitally sourced, and that the paper is probably from the 'earlier part of the last century', having had an art historian take a look. The work bears no actual date, but I have dated it by its content and background information re the artist and published details about the tarot card deck. Sold as seen no returns.Please note as all versions of this card are so similar, so one is used here for illustration purposes. The differences between the versions are so very minor, slightly different notes in margins and small colour changes, so I use one example to show the whole set of versions.Please message me if you wish to purchase artwork for cards not shown in my present listings. The majority of the art is securely stored in climate controlled unit, but I am able to ship to order."
Raggydoll Posted June 21, 2020 Author Posted June 21, 2020 This person is also selling a "vintage" RWS that clearly has been made to try and look aged "Imagine obtaining a classic tarot deck, in an AS NEW condition! I personally adore old tarot decks that are in the prime of their working life, as they seem to hold a life force from all the readings that they have ever been used for. Well, here we are.... this is a RIDER WAITE Tarot deck. The original yellow retail box is included, and the cards will be shipped wrapped and secure. Sourced from old stock, this is AS NEW condition deck and extremely rare to find."
Raggydoll Posted June 21, 2020 Author Posted June 21, 2020 These are so very Pamela, don't you think? 😆
Raggydoll Posted June 21, 2020 Author Posted June 21, 2020 Its reassuring to see that they have access to so many identical vintage and ultra rare decks: I pray that these were all fake sales and that no one was actually fooled by those decks. A couple of "original" drawings were sold too..
Raggydoll Posted June 21, 2020 Author Posted June 21, 2020 2 minutes ago, Flaxen said: My eyes! 😱 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Decan Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Raggydoll said: I just wanted to let everyone know that there is a seller on etsy that is listing fake decks and fake original drawings by Pamela Colman Smith. These fakes are, to me, extremely obvious so I don't think it will fool many people that know anything about Pamela or about the RWS, but still, this person seems to have made quite a few sales so I felt it was worth to make sure they don't get away with it. I urge everyone to report it. And in case the site is taken down, I thought some of you might enjoy a peek at the blatant lies and the fantastic quality fakes that are on offer 😁 Yes, I agree "extremely obvious" for me too!! (and no artistic talent, sorry) Otherwise if they were really original drawings by Pamela Colman Smith the prices would be very low. For the used vintage deck, there are probably a few methods to erode a deck. Scam, scam, scam Edited June 21, 2020 by Decan
Raggydoll Posted June 21, 2020 Author Posted June 21, 2020 On the bottom of the high priestess it says “choose font” 😁 Totally what Pamela must have been wanting to make mental notes about!
katrinka Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 8 minutes ago, Decan said: For the used vintage deck, there are probably a few methods to erode a deck. Rubbing it on the ground would work. I can't even bring myself to report this. It's HILARIOUS. Why does the Magician have a yoyo?
Raggydoll Posted June 21, 2020 Author Posted June 21, 2020 1 minute ago, katrinka said: Rubbing it on the ground would work. I can't even bring myself to report this. It's HILARIOUS. Why does the Magician have a yoyo? Omg it does look like a yo-yo 😆 And a huge nail in his other hand. But the quality of those flowers.. exquisite!
katrinka Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 6 minutes ago, Raggydoll said: Omg it does look like a yo-yo 😆 And a huge nail in his other hand. But the quality of those flowers.. exquisite! I've seen him somewhere before... AH HA!
katrinka Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 16 minutes ago, Raggydoll said: On the bottom of the high priestess it says “choose font” 😁 Totally what Pamela must have been wanting to make mental notes about! She was truly ahead of her time. Felt pens, too. I'm impressed.
Decan Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 I notice that on the Fool card Pamela didn't draw the dog in her initial drawings. Interesting to learn that this came after some considerations; this definitely brings something to understand this card more deeply, no? 🤔
Raggydoll Posted June 21, 2020 Author Posted June 21, 2020 1 minute ago, Decan said: I notice that on the Fool card Pamela didn't draw the dog in her initial drawings. Interesting to learn that this came after some considerations; this definitely brings something to understand this card more deeply, no? 🤔 Maybe the dog hadn’t caught up with the fool yet or perhaps he had rushed over the edge without the fool noticing/caring? Or maybe Pamela forgot to add it and then Waite critiqued her for it? “How could you forget a Fool’s best friend?! That’s it, I’ll pay you next to nothing for this sloppy work!” 😁
Rupicapra Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 Ingenious way too keep your children busy during lockdown: draw those cards 240 times or no xbox! Rub dirt on the edge of these 2000 cards or no PlayStation!
Raggydoll Posted June 21, 2020 Author Posted June 21, 2020 37 minutes ago, Rupicapra said: Ingenious way too keep your children busy during lockdown: draw those cards 240 times or no xbox! Rub dirt on the edge of these 2000 cards or no PlayStation! Don’t start giving people ideas! 😛
Starlight Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 Crumbs, those pieces are going for nearly 250 AUD each!
RavenOfSummer Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 The idea that someone who had access to original PCS art would be selling it on Etsy...and that it would be worth less than $200 a pop...
Venus Rising Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 5 hours ago, Rupicapra said: Ingenious way too keep your children busy during lockdown: draw those cards 240 times or no xbox! Rub dirt on the edge of these 2000 cards or no PlayStation! I honestly can’t believe people are falling for this.
Raggydoll Posted June 21, 2020 Author Posted June 21, 2020 11 minutes ago, RavenOfSummer said: The idea that someone who had access to original PCS art would be selling it on Etsy...and that it would be worth less than $200 a pop... Yes, I am guessing Stuart Kaplans has a fortune set aside for the odd chance that any unknown drawings will surface, so a bargain like that - he would be like
RavenOfSummer Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 5 minutes ago, Raggydoll said: Yes, I am guessing Stuart Kaplans has a fortune set aside for the odd chance that any unknown drawings will surface, so a bargain like that - he would be like 🤣🤣🤣
Raggydoll Posted June 21, 2020 Author Posted June 21, 2020 I just checked the reviews and it seems like someone actually has been fooled, and this makes me so sorry to hear. Those fake decks are priced very high!! This person had given them a one star review, saying: "Totally disappointed with this item. No wonder why the seller did not want to provide a picture of it. Will not do business again."
Venus Rising Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 6 minutes ago, Raggydoll said: Yes, I am guessing Stuart Kaplans has a fortune set aside for the odd chance that any unknown drawings will surface, so a bargain like that - he would be like Hahaha indubitably! 👍🤣
Venus Rising Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 2 minutes ago, Raggydoll said: I just checked the reviews and it seems like someone actually has been fooled, and this makes me so sorry to hear. Those fake decks are priced very high!! This person had given them a one star review, saying: "Totally disappointed with this item. No wonder why the seller did not want to provide a picture of it. Will not do business again." I honestly can’t believe he sold 5 pieces of that ‘rare’ PCS art! Also, I actually didn’t even look at the price of the decks - holy doodle that’s nuts! Those reviews....ugh... “I absolutely love my tarot deck! Thank you! This one feels powerful.” Powerful, as in full of crap? 🤔
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