While the Visconti cards were hand-painted works of art designed for a noble family, the so-called Marseilles pattern arose from inexpensive woodblock-printed decks. It is named for the French city of Marseilles, a major card-manufacturing center in the 17th and 18th centuries. This pattern set the standard for the order of the Trumps in modern Tarot decks, and it is the origin of much of the symbolism as well. Although many modern decks follow Waite's modifications, such as the transposition of Justice (VIII) and Strength (XI) and the inclusion of illustrated scenes on the suit cards, the Marseilles symbolism still shines through in many if not all of the Trumps. For more information, I again refer you to Andy's Playing Cards.
I am currently in the process of re-vamping this page. In the meantime, I recommend the Aeclectic Tarot guide to Marseilles-style decks.
Heron
Tarot de Marseille |
Lo Scarabeo |
Il Meneghello
Tarocco di Marsiglia Svizzero |
Piatnik
Tarot de Marseille |
AGMuller
Tarot de Marseille |
AGMuller
Tarot de Marseille Convos |
B.A.L. (New Zealand)
Tarot of Marseilles |
Carta Mundi (AGMuller)
Tarot de Marseille |
Dusserre
Tarot de Marseille |
Fournier
Le Tarot de Marseille |
Grimaud (France Cartes)
Ancien Tarot de Marseille |
Il Meneghello
Tarocchi di Marsiglia |
Lo Scarabeo
Tarot of Marseilles |
US Games
Tarot of Marseilles |
Wydawnictwo HSJ (Poland)
Tarot Marsylski |
Camoin
Tarot de Marseille |
Montagne
Véritable Tarot de Marseille |
Le Mat Comunicaciones
Tarot de Marsella |
In addition to the publishers' websites, I am indebted to the following sites for photos: R. Somerville, Tarot Garden, Dix de Couer, Magicka, Tarot Passages, Wicce's Tarot Collection, and Tarobat.
