The original copies were totally respected. So, the size of cards, their satiny aspect and their thickness, their square corners, the tone of colors and the back of cards were reproduced as before, and in the original scale. We also preserved the defects bound to the technique of the period, such as the variable density of the black, the smudges of colors and the “ ghosts ” tracks , resulting from trial printings realized on the back of the paper. The preservation of all these details, which is a part of the charm of the ancient decks, thus restores as much as possible the original copy, and so respects the initial work. Of course, our republications are not realized with the same techniques as in the period : printing of the features with moulds cut in the wood of pear tree, application of colors with brush and stencil, the smoothing of cards with the round stone, the sticking of cards first side and reverse on an étresse (the “ brunette ”), etc. However, the greatest care was brought to the realization of our facsimiles, from the graphic work to the final printing. Tarot of Marseille Heritage so proposes to the public some exclusive historic republications of Tarots of Marseille, constituting facsimiles for the first time entirely corresponding to the original copies, so realizing a unique collection, preserving this ancestral heritage, and making it accessible to all for our biggest pleasure.

     In the period, the decks were packed in a sheet of a normal paper, on which was printed the name of the master cardmaker, its coat of arms, its slogan, as well as the address of his workshop. According to his “ privileges ”, duly exchanged, the cardmaker declared himself “ cardmaker of the king ”, “ common cardmaker of Lord the Duke ”, etc. Our facsimiles are wrapped in the hand by our care, with a craft paper 80 gr/m², without chlorine, not acid, made by craftsmen in Nepal, producing some paper according to the ancient traditional techniques.

     Various partnership agreements were concluded with museums in France and abroad, as well as with particular collectors. The sales of the first realized Tarot, that of the Pierre Madenié, Dijon 1709, will allow to pursue this beautiful project of preservation of the inheritance which bequeathed us craftsmen master cardmakers. At least five inescapable Tarots are planned. Persuaded that beautiful tarots are preserved in private collections, we hope, eventually, to produce facsimiles of many other historic models as well. The next facsimile, that of the François Chosson, Marseille 1736, will be realized as soon as the seed money implemented for the republication of the Tarot of Pierre Madenié, Dijon 1709, will be paid off. Everything thus depends on you, collectors and other lovers of the Tarot ! Having the hope to produce a new deck every year, we invite you to subscribe to the Newsletter to be informed about the next publications.