The Astrology Center of America
207 Victory Lane, Bel Air, MD 21014
Tel: 410-638-7761; Toll-free (orders only): 800-475-2272
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The Astrology Center of America, 207 Victory Lane, Bel Air, MD 21014 Tel: 410-638-7761; Toll-free (orders only): 800-475-2272 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarot Home | Tarot Decks | Tarot Books | Astrology Home | E-Mail: | ||
Measurements: 3.08 x 5.05 inches, or 78 x 128 mm.
Back of card: Looks like a theatre placard. Featured is the head of the bird shown on the King of Cups, which is similar to the 6 of Swords, shown above. This bird, right side up, upside down & reflected, right to left, in shades of red & gray, is the dominant feature in the center of the back. Around it, light gray ornate swirls. Above & below, the words, "The Fantastic Menagerie Tarot" in red. There is a darker gray ornate six-sided frame, and around that, extending to the edge of the card, solid dull red. Contrasts well with the front. May be inverted.
Book included: Yes, 240 pages, 5.7 x 7.86 inches, or 145 x 200 mm. Illustrated. Instructions in English.
Publisher: Magic Realist. Printed in Prague.
Comments: This deck is based on the work of JJ Grandville (born Jean Ignace Isidore Gérard (September 13, 1803 – March 17, 1847)), a noted satirical cartoonist in Paris, from 1828 to the end of his short life in 1847.
The introductory pages of Nussle's book has a biography of Grandville that far surpasses what you will find at Wiki. This attention to detail continues with the individual cards. The major arcana are described individually, each with their own story, based on events & people that Grandville would have known. Each major gets about two & a half pages.
With the minors, the format changes. As with the majors, each card gets a whimsical description, followed by keywords, and then the ongoing saga of a day in the life of JJ Grandville, about a page & a half per card. Grandville lived in rather eventful times.
I confess that, as a stand-alone deck, the cards did not interest me, but the stories in the book make this a most interesting deck, one that will encourage you to curl up in a chair, read the book, look at the cards, read the book, and pass an enjoyable afternoon thereby.
The Astrology Center of America
207 Victory Lane, Bel Air, MD 21014
Tel: 410-638-7761; Toll-free (orders only): 800-475-2272
| Tarot Home | Tarot Decks | Tarot Books | Astrology Home | E-Mail: |
|---|