The Tarot Classic
by Stuart R. Kaplan
The Tarot Classic (often referred to as The Classic Tarot) is a popular Marseille-style tarot deck curated and published by Stuart R. Kaplan through U.S. Games Systems.
The original packaging
It was first released in the early 1970s (around 1972–1974) and became one of the foundational decks for English-speaking tarot readers during the tarot revival of that era.
Background and History
Stuart R. Kaplan (1932–2021) was a pivotal figure in popularising tarot in the United States. He founded U.S. Games Systems after discovering a Swiss 1JJ tarot deck ( my first deck and personal fave) at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 1968. He began importing and selling decks, then wrote instructional books and published his own editions. The Tarot Classic was one of his early projects, created in collaboration with the Swiss printer AG Müller.
A modern version available these days
It reproduces (and recolors) 18th-century woodcuts by French card maker Claude Burdel, drawing from the Tarot de Marseille tradition.
Kaplan also authored a companion book, Tarot Classic (published around 1972–1973), which serves as a complete guide. It covers the history of tarot, symbolism of the Major Arcana, sample readings, and includes photographs of rare historical decks. The book has been reprinted in various editions (e.g., by Grosset & Dunlap or U.S. Games).
This deck and book helped introduce traditional European tarot structures to a wider audience while bridging them with more modern occult interests.
Deck Characteristics
• Structure: Standard 78 cards (22 Major Arcana + 56 Minor Arcana). It follows the Marseille pattern with unillustrated (non-scenic) pip cards in the Minor Arcana, Justice as card VIII, and Strength as card XI. The Fool is unnumbered.
• Titles: English titles in a Rider-Waite-Smith style (e.g., “The High Priestess,” “The Hierophant,” “Wands,” “Pentacles,” and a titled Death card), which is somewhat anachronistic for a pure Marseille deck but makes it more accessible to English readers.
• Art Style: Vibrant full-color reproduction of medieval woodcut-style imagery with a broader color palette than many traditional Marseilles (e.g., suits vaguely differentiated by color). Some details differ slightly from the most common Conver Marseille, such as the Hanged Man with both legs tied. The colouring has a rough, almost folk-art or “1970s hippy” feel that some find quaint or charming, others less refined.
• Card Size and Back: Smaller than average (about 11 cm x 6 cm / roughly 4.3” x 2.4”), making it easy to handle. It features a simple red-and-gold or plaid/reversible tarotee-style back design. Printed in Switzerland.
• Feel: Lightly coated, silky cards that shuffle well but can show wear or get grubby over time.
Significance and Reception
The Tarot Classic was widely available in the 1970s and helped establish U.S. Games as a major tarot publisher (Kaplan later secured rights to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck as well). It appeals to those who like traditional Marseille symbolism but prefer English titles and a more colourful, accessible presentation.
Reviewers like me note its “simple, honest feel” and lack of pretension, though purists might prefer stricter historical reproductions like the Conver or other Burdel editions. It’s a good deck that balances authenticity and easy use.
It remains a collector’s item and is still referenced or reprinted in various forms. Kaplan’s broader work, including extensive research into tarot history, made him one of the most influential figures in modern tarot publishing.
If you’re looking for the companion book, vintage decks, or modern reprints, they often appear on sites like eBay, Etsy, or through U.S. Games distributors. The deck is great for traditional readings, studying Marseille symbolism, or as an entry point to historical tarot styles.
Core Similarities between the Marseille and this deck
Both decks share the foundational Marseille structure and style:
• 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana + 56 Minor Arcana (4 suits: Wands/Batons, Cups, Swords, Coins/Pentacles).
• Unillustrated (non-scenic) pip cards — Minors 2–10 show only suit symbols arranged in patterns, requiring readers to interpret via number, suit, and visual cues rather than literal scenes.
• Major Arcana ordering: Justice as VIII, Strength as XI (common in TdM; swapped in Rider-Waite-Smith).
• The Fool: Unnumbered (or Le Mat/Fool), often depicted walking toward a cliff or with a small animal.
• Overall aesthetic: Woodcut-style medieval/folk imagery with bold lines, symbolic figures, and minimal perspective. Designed for card games as much as divination.
They both emphasise traditional European symbolism over the more narrative, esoteric illustrations of later English decks like Rider-Waite-Smith.
Key Differences
Here’s a breakdown:
Titles and Language
• Tarot de Marseille (traditional, e.g., Conver 1760 or modern reproductions): French (or sometimes Italian/Latin) titles or none at all on pips.
Examples: “Le Bateleur” (Magician), “La Papesse” (High Priestess/Popess), “L’Arcane sans nom” or untitled Death, suit names like “Bâtons,” “Coupes,” “Épées,” “Deniers.”
• Kaplan’s Classic Tarot: English titles in a Rider-Waite-inspired style (e.g., “The Magician,” “The High Priestess,” “The Hierophant,” “Wands,” “Pentacles”). Death is titled, and some cards have titles running along the side. This makes it more accessible for beginners but feels anachronistic to purists.
Artwork and Coloring
• Traditional TdM (e.g., Nicolas Conver or faithful Burdel reproductions): Stenciled colors over woodblock prints—limited, flat palette (reds, blues, yellows, greens) with a raw, historical feel. Colors are symbolic and consistent within a tradition.
• Classic Tarot: Recolored with a broader, more vibrant (and sometimes quirky) 1970s palette. Suits are vaguely color-coded (e.g., Wands greener, Swords redder). Skin tones often pinkish; some cards (like the Tower) have unusual hues. It has a “slapdash” or folk-art charm—described as quaint, childlike, or “hippy” by reviewers—rather than the stark traditional stenciling. Some details vary slightly (e.g., Hanged Man with both legs tied in Classic vs. typical single leg in many TdM).
Specific Card Variations
• The Classic follows Burdel closely but isn’t identical to the most common Conver TdM. Forum discussions note it may draw more from later 19th/early 20th-century Swiss editions (like Schaffhouse) than the exact 1751 Burdel. Minor differences appear in details like the Chariot, Devil, or Hanged Man.
• Pips in Classic have a similar arrangement but with the recoloring affecting mood and emphasis.
Size, Production, and Feel
• Classic Tarot: Smaller cards (~11 cm x 6 cm / 4.3” x 2.4”), silky/light coating, red-gold or tarotee backs. Easy to handle, more “modern” production from Switzerland via AG Müller.
• Traditional TdM reproductions: Vary widely—many modern ones (e.g., by Lo Scarabeo, Camoin, or Heron) match historical sizes more closely and aim for authenticity in paper, backs, and aging effects. They often feel more “raw” or premium in collector editions.
Intended Use and Vibe
• TdM: Rooted in 17th–18th century French/Swiss card-playing tradition + esoteric interpretation. Emphasises gesture, color symbolism, and pattern recognition. Popular with advanced readers who value historical depth.
• Classic Tarot: Bridges traditional Marseille with 20th-century occult interests. Companion book by Kaplan covers history and readings. Has an accessible, fortune-telling focus with a retro-70s charm—less “serious historical artifact,” more approachable entry point.
I personally find this deck to be useful for readings with people who are unfamiliar or wary of tarot as they are somewhat more friendly.About the deck creator, Kaplan
Kaplan was instrumental in the 1960s–1970s tarot revival in the English-speaking world.
Stuart R. Kaplan (April 1, 1932 – February 9, 2021) was a pivotal American publisher, author, and collector who played a central role in popularising tarot cards in the United States during the late 20th century. He founded U.S. Games Systems, Inc., one of the leading publishers of tarot decks and games, and authored extensive reference works on tarot history and symbolism
Before entering the games and tarot world, he worked on Wall Street for a coal mining company and authored an award-winning reference book, Mining, Minerals and Geosciences: A Worldwide Source Directory (1965), which earned a Library Journal Award.
Major Contributions and Works
Kaplan authored or co-authored several influential books, with over a million copies sold:
• Tarot Classic (early 1970s) — Companion to his Classic Tarot deck.
• The Encyclopedia of Tarot series (Volumes I–IV, spanning the 1970s to 2000s) — His magnum opus, meticulously documenting and illustrating thousands of tarot decks from the 15th century onward. These remain essential reference works for collectors and historians.
• Pamela Colman Smith: The Untold Story (later in his career) — A major effort to honour the artist behind the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, whom he felt had been under recognised.
• Other titles included works on card games and a completed compendium on the Authors card game (published posthumously by his family).
He amassed one of the world’s largest collections of tarot decks, historical playing cards, and related games, parts of which were later auctioned (e.g., at Christie’s).
