This is a low number deck in the very scarce and highly collectible first edition of The Royal Fez Moroccan Tarot.
Conceived in the 1950s by Roland Berrill (founder of Mensa), the artwork for the Royal Fez Moroccan Tarot was executed by artist Michael Hobdell. The design of the cards is modeled after the well-known Rider Waite deck, but heavily influenced by Berrill’s belief that the tarot originated in 12th Century Moroccan secret societies. Soon after completing the work, Hobdell died. Berrill then commissioned a limited and numbered print run of the deck (500 decks) but then he, too, died before the deck went to market. These 500 original decks remained in storage until 1970 when Rigel Press, Ltd. marketed the deck.
This is number 43 from that original print run. It was purchased in San Francisco in a Haight-Ashbury “head shop” in 1972. Since that time it has been in the possession of the first owner, carefully protected and used rarely.
The deck is complete and includes an additional card with interpretation of the Minor Arcana cards. No book was included with this deck originally. The box is in remarkable condition, as it was wrapped and stored separately from the cards (which were kept wrapped in velvet in a wooden box). The cards have been gently used. There is light wear to their gilt edges.
Box measures 3 × 5 inches. Cards are a little shorter than the box.
Excellent vintage condition.
This is a low number deck in the very scarce and highly collectible first edition of The Royal Fez Moroccan Tarot.
Conceived in the 1950s by Roland Berrill (founder of Mensa), the artwork for the Royal Fez Moroccan Tarot was executed by artist Michael Hobdell. The design of the cards is modeled after the well-known Rider Waite deck, but heavily influenced by Berrill’s belief that the tarot originated in 12th Century Moroccan secret societies. Soon after completing the work, Hobdell died. Berrill then commissioned a limited and numbered print run of the deck (500 decks) but then he, too, died before the deck went to market. These 500 original decks remained in storage until 1970 when Rigel Press, Ltd. marketed the deck.
This is number 43 from that original print run. It was purchased in San Francisco in a Haight-Ashbury “head shop” in 1972. Since that time it has been in the possession of the first owner, carefully protected and used rarely.
The deck is complete and includes an additional card with interpretation of the Minor Arcana cards. No book was included with this deck originally. The box is in remarkable condition, as it was wrapped and stored separately from the cards (which were kept wrapped in velvet in a wooden box). The cards have been gently used. There is light wear to their gilt edges.
Box measures 3 × 5 inches. Cards are a little shorter than the box.
Excellent vintage condition.
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