Philly tarot deck
Date: 2019
Inventory Number: MUS-117-0024
Classification: Cards
Subject:
Cultural Region:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
4.1 × 8.3 × 13.3 cm (1 5/8 × 3 1/4 × 5 1/4 in.)
Accessories: box for deck of cards; guidebook
DescriptionThe Philly Tarot Deck is made up of three components: the deck, the guidebookl, and box. All three parts are paper based. The deck is made up of the standard Rider-Waite 78 tarot cards printed on 350 gsm card stock with all edges gilded and a matte UV finish. The guidebook is printed on white glossy paper and bound with two staples. The box which holds the deck and guidebook has two components both made from chipboard.
A tarot deck in the Rider-Waite style redesigned with illustrations of famous Philadelphians, and Philadelphian cultural icons. The deck is stored in a box featuring the design for the Major Arcana card XVIII, The Moon, which features a moon behind Phildelphia's city hall. The bottom half of the box housing the deck features the four symbols of the Minor Arcana suites on the four sides of the box, which are a SEPTA token, clothespin, feather, and cheesesteak. Also accompanying the deck is a guidebook which includes a note from the creator, an introduction, descriptions and interpretations for the 22 Marjor Arcana cards, and brief descriptions for the Minor Arcana cards.
Some notable cards:
0. The Fool: The Philly Phanatic
II. The High Priestess: Terry Gross
V. The Hierophant: Questlove
XXI. The World: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
"The Philly Tarot Deck, a new modern deck, takes its design and description inspiration from the classic 1909 Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, published by the Rider Company, created by Arthur Edward Waite, and illustrated by Pamela "Pixie" Colman Smith."
- "The Philly Tarot Deck Guidebook" by Gina Tomaine
A tarot deck in the Rider-Waite style redesigned with illustrations of famous Philadelphians, and Philadelphian cultural icons. The deck is stored in a box featuring the design for the Major Arcana card XVIII, The Moon, which features a moon behind Phildelphia's city hall. The bottom half of the box housing the deck features the four symbols of the Minor Arcana suites on the four sides of the box, which are a SEPTA token, clothespin, feather, and cheesesteak. Also accompanying the deck is a guidebook which includes a note from the creator, an introduction, descriptions and interpretations for the 22 Marjor Arcana cards, and brief descriptions for the Minor Arcana cards.
Some notable cards:
0. The Fool: The Philly Phanatic
II. The High Priestess: Terry Gross
V. The Hierophant: Questlove
XXI. The World: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
"The Philly Tarot Deck, a new modern deck, takes its design and description inspiration from the classic 1909 Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, published by the Rider Company, created by Arthur Edward Waite, and illustrated by Pamela "Pixie" Colman Smith."
- "The Philly Tarot Deck Guidebook" by Gina Tomaine
In Collection(s)
Signedunsigned
FunctionCartomancy and cultural art
"Tarot cards have retained their power and allure over the years. They've evolved, however, and their modern significance is now often taken as less of a fortune-teller trick, and more of a psychological guide, as seen through 78 symbolic cards. Today, the images and their descriptions, which depict universally relatable struggles and victories told through symbols, are often used as therapeutic tools for reflection and clarity."
- "The Philly Tarot Deck Guidebook" by Gina Tomaine
"Tarot cards have retained their power and allure over the years. They've evolved, however, and their modern significance is now often taken as less of a fortune-teller trick, and more of a psychological guide, as seen through 78 symbolic cards. Today, the images and their descriptions, which depict universally relatable struggles and victories told through symbols, are often used as therapeutic tools for reflection and clarity."
- "The Philly Tarot Deck Guidebook" by Gina Tomaine
Historical AttributesThe deck came from an article Gina Tomaine wrote in 2018 for "Philadelphia" magazine about the rise in popularity of tarot. James Boyle was commissioned to illustrate only a few cards for the article. Tthe response was so positive Boyle created a full deck.
Article: https://www.phillymag.com/life-style/2018/09/26/astrology-trend-philadelphia-tarot-cards/
Article: https://www.phillymag.com/life-style/2018/09/26/astrology-trend-philadelphia-tarot-cards/
Curatorial RemarksCondition: good, dents on top left and right corners of the box; visible finger prints on the box.
ProvenanceElise Riley, Boston, MA, 2020, gift from her friend: Jeffery Edenberg, Boston, MA
Published Referenceshttps://www.phillytarotdeck.com/
https://www.phillymag.com/life-style/2018/09/26/astrology-trend-philadelphia-tarot-cards/