English (or Rigel) Tarot Cards

One should always be wary of packs which claim to be ‘authentic’ and ‘original’, especially in relation to allegedly ‘English Tarot’ packs. The cards on which these designs are based may well be in the British Museum but they are not English and not from as early as the 15th century. The originals almost certainly had French titles which are strangely absent here (perhaps to make them look more ‘English’?). What is true is that this pack – based on the Tarot de Marseille – has clean lines and fresh colours (red, blue, yellow, green and black). Certain ‘modern amendments’ have been made to the original card designs according to the ideas of the Insight Institute►

Above: ‘Authentic English fortune telling’ Tarot cards printed by Malcolm G. Read Limited, 175 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3EW. Published by Rigel Press Ltd, 21 Cloncurry Street, London SW6 6OR, UK, 1975. 78 cards + 2 extra cards + booklet in tuck box. Size: 60.5 x 109 mm. © Rigel Press Limited 1975.

• Rigel Press also published the R.G. Tarot Cards, the Royal Fez Moroccan Tarot, the Tarot of Eliphas Levi (Wirth designs) and the Tarot of Count Cagliostro.

• It is interesting to note that this pack was being sold outside the UK (see the sticker on the box in Swiss francs?) and that Richard Gardner's name was associated with it. See the box►

The Booklet

Above: excerpts from the booklet accompanying the pack.