Pamela Colman Smith: The Untold Story

This is a wondrous introduction to a fascinating and unbelievably creative woman. Beyond her pivotal role in the making of the Colman-Waite tarot, I was excited to learn that she handcrafted miniature figures of people and animals, which she moved about on a tiny stage to act out public performances of stories of the trickster spider, Anansie and other Caribbean folktales! The book is full of reproductions of her artwork and I found her theatrical costume design sketches to be another previously unknown to me and very engaging facet of her work. This is a book that I'll revisit and page through often to unwind and fire up my imagination! -Len Warner

It was 1971 when Stuart Kaplan took Donald Weiser’s advice and acquired the rights to what is now commonly known as the Rider-Waite tarot deck. It was the beginning of Kaplan’s tarot empire. By the end of 1971, the deck was selling internationally. It was a time when no one thought to question whether or not Smith’s role in creating the deck was represented accurately.Like most people, I dismissed her input into the project, thinking that she was a technician following Waite’s instructions. The truth is that she was a respected professional artist, entrepreneur, occultist, and suffragette when Waite tapped her to create the visual imagery for his tarot project. Kaplan has stepped to the forefront once again, publishing over 400 pages documenting Colman’s skill, experience, and her major contribution to the most famous tarot deck in the world.This book firmly establishes that Colman brought her own extensive occult background to the project, and the drawings/reference materials in this timely book demonstrate that the foundations of some of the most notable tarot images were well established in her repertoire for years before she applied them to the tarot cards. It has been clear to me for decades that Waite was an initiate of the highest order. This book has convinced me that Smith was his peer not his handmaid. The time is right for this woman to be elevated to her rightful place in tarot history. Kaplan, along with Greer, O’Connor, Parsons, and the very capable U S. Games staff, have made this scholarly work a page turner.

I have taught tarot for over 40 years and for the first years I fought with the "Waite Smith" deck. I always used it when teaching but not in doing readings. It was not the prettiest deck on the market, just the smartest and most knowledgeable. Eventually I got it. No other artist has captured the meaning and story of each card in such a simpl way. No other artist has demonstrated the ability tocommunicate the meaning and depth of a card with such uncluttered illustrations. Why is this the best-selling tarot deck? It's not Waite's book nor is it Ryder's publishing. I often comment that as an artist her workk may have been seen by more people than almost anh other artist. Surely she is in the top echelon. Her life has been largely unknown to us but she has deserved better than this. And who etter than Stuart at US Games? What a feast of a book. Oh Pamela, if only you could see how wonderful we think you are. Thank you Stuart. This is a genuine gift to the Tarot World.

Almost all of your questions answered about the mystical artistic genius who illustrated the most popular Tarot deck in use today. This book is meticulously researched, lavishly illustrated, and beautifully bound. You will love Pixie more than ever as you read the story of her work and life. Even as large and heavy as this book is, you will not want to put it down!

I was really looking forward to getting this book. The book is beautiful. I haven't read it yet but I've flipped through it. I'm very happy I got this book. It's a beautiful collectors item for Rider Waite Tarot card owners or collectors. I'd say it's a must have. It's packed with beautiful art and photos. The book is just beautiful! I'm just really disappointed with whoever shipped my book. My book, a big hard cover book was simply shipped in a manila envelope...no bubble wrap, no nothing. Needless to say the edges of my book are crush3d in. Most obviously due to postal workers chucking parcels around and travelling from one continent to another. Beside the state of my book I'm ecstatic. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. I wanted to give this 1 star just for the horrible packaging and the state of my book but that doesn't reflect on the book. The book is definitely 5 stars so I'll just say 4 stars, but the book is 5 stars.

I thought the book was a normal hardcover but what a surprise! Was BIG Hardcover book beautifuly done, with great quality pages and printing. The images of Pamela Colman Smith's art look Great. Stunning colors ...all the art or images looks clear and detailed. A gifted English artist from the late 19th century and early 20th century on a time were women hadn't much rights as men, but pushed strongly for her art to be recognized as artist,painter and author and editor. For those we know about the now classic Rider-Waite tarot but not knew anything or much of the gifted artist who realized the art, is a JEWEL this book. I knew of her later after years of knowing of that famous tarot deck. Too bad in the medium of mystic/holistic/esoteric culture (where I frequented) when people tell you or recommend the Raider-Waite never the topic of the artist come around. And when I researched by myself and asked or told about her, people didn't knew about her...maybe of Arthur Edward Waite ..but even little or not much too. Just a minority of those I met on those early years of my learning of tarot knew who She was. This book is a MUST for people who are in the path of esoteric or tarot (as of course the Raider-Waite deck always is one of the most used) , are artist or studying art history or love History only for the learning as I do love history too. Great redacting the information about Pamela Colman Smith, and the other art apart from the tarot deck. The only downside but wasn't amazon's fault ...the ups service threw the box above the front iron fence of 6 ft. into the front porch but Good it was well protected packaged (Good service on packaging) . Sometimes things like that get one mad. But all is well and undamaged.

I want to say "Thank you" to someone who published this book. She is amazing artist and this book is fantastic!!

This is a beautifully done book! Really well researched and laid out nicely. Lots of pictures of original work. You can really see the growth of Coleman Smith as an artist over her life. It took me back in time!

I didn't realize this is such a big, and I mean, BIG book - heavy, large, densely and beautifully illustrated , accompanied by interesting information about Smith's life and art.

Great pictures, fascinating story. Was really impressed with the size and quality of this book.

This is a wondrous introduction to a fascinating and unbelievably creative woman. Beyond her pivotal role in the making of the Colman-Waite tarot, I was excited to learn that she handcrafted miniature figures of people and animals, which she moved about on a tiny stage to act out public performances of stories of the trickster spider, Anansie and other Caribbean folktales! The book is full of reproductions of her artwork and I found her theatrical costume design sketches to be another previously unknown to me and very engaging facet of her work. This is a book that I'll revisit and page through often to unwind and fire up my imagination! -Len Warner

It was 1971 when Stuart Kaplan took Donald Weiser’s advice and acquired the rights to what is now commonly known as the Rider-Waite tarot deck. It was the beginning of Kaplan’s tarot empire. By the end of 1971, the deck was selling internationally. It was a time when no one thought to question whether or not Smith’s role in creating the deck was represented accurately.Like most people, I dismissed her input into the project, thinking that she was a technician following Waite’s instructions. The truth is that she was a respected professional artist, entrepreneur, occultist, and suffragette when Waite tapped her to create the visual imagery for his tarot project. Kaplan has stepped to the forefront once again, publishing over 400 pages documenting Colman’s skill, experience, and her major contribution to the most famous tarot deck in the world.This book firmly establishes that Colman brought her own extensive occult background to the project, and the drawings/reference materials in this timely book demonstrate that the foundations of some of the most notable tarot images were well established in her repertoire for years before she applied them to the tarot cards. It has been clear to me for decades that Waite was an initiate of the highest order. This book has convinced me that Smith was his peer not his handmaid. The time is right for this woman to be elevated to her rightful place in tarot history. Kaplan, along with Greer, O’Connor, Parsons, and the very capable U S. Games staff, have made this scholarly work a page turner.

I have taught tarot for over 40 years and for the first years I fought with the "Waite Smith" deck. I always used it when teaching but not in doing readings. It was not the prettiest deck on the market, just the smartest and most knowledgeable. Eventually I got it. No other artist has captured the meaning and story of each card in such a simpl way. No other artist has demonstrated the ability tocommunicate the meaning and depth of a card with such uncluttered illustrations. Why is this the best-selling tarot deck? It's not Waite's book nor is it Ryder's publishing. I often comment that as an artist her workk may have been seen by more people than almost anh other artist. Surely she is in the top echelon. Her life has been largely unknown to us but she has deserved better than this. And who etter than Stuart at US Games? What a feast of a book. Oh Pamela, if only you could see how wonderful we think you are. Thank you Stuart. This is a genuine gift to the Tarot World.

Almost all of your questions answered about the mystical artistic genius who illustrated the most popular Tarot deck in use today. This book is meticulously researched, lavishly illustrated, and beautifully bound. You will love Pixie more than ever as you read the story of her work and life. Even as large and heavy as this book is, you will not want to put it down!

I was really looking forward to getting this book. The book is beautiful. I haven't read it yet but I've flipped through it. I'm very happy I got this book. It's a beautiful collectors item for Rider Waite Tarot card owners or collectors. I'd say it's a must have. It's packed with beautiful art and photos. The book is just beautiful! I'm just really disappointed with whoever shipped my book. My book, a big hard cover book was simply shipped in a manila envelope...no bubble wrap, no nothing. Needless to say the edges of my book are crush3d in. Most obviously due to postal workers chucking parcels around and travelling from one continent to another. Beside the state of my book I'm ecstatic. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. I wanted to give this 1 star just for the horrible packaging and the state of my book but that doesn't reflect on the book. The book is definitely 5 stars so I'll just say 4 stars, but the book is 5 stars.

I thought the book was a normal hardcover but what a surprise! Was BIG Hardcover book beautifuly done, with great quality pages and printing. The images of Pamela Colman Smith's art look Great. Stunning colors ...all the art or images looks clear and detailed. A gifted English artist from the late 19th century and early 20th century on a time were women hadn't much rights as men, but pushed strongly for her art to be recognized as artist,painter and author and editor. For those we know about the now classic Rider-Waite tarot but not knew anything or much of the gifted artist who realized the art, is a JEWEL this book. I knew of her later after years of knowing of that famous tarot deck. Too bad in the medium of mystic/holistic/esoteric culture (where I frequented) when people tell you or recommend the Raider-Waite never the topic of the artist come around. And when I researched by myself and asked or told about her, people didn't knew about her...maybe of Arthur Edward Waite ..but even little or not much too. Just a minority of those I met on those early years of my learning of tarot knew who She was. This book is a MUST for people who are in the path of esoteric or tarot (as of course the Raider-Waite deck always is one of the most used) , are artist or studying art history or love History only for the learning as I do love history too. Great redacting the information about Pamela Colman Smith, and the other art apart from the tarot deck. The only downside but wasn't amazon's fault ...the ups service threw the box above the front iron fence of 6 ft. into the front porch but Good it was well protected packaged (Good service on packaging) . Sometimes things like that get one mad. But all is well and undamaged.

I want to say "Thank you" to someone who published this book. She is amazing artist and this book is fantastic!!

This is a beautifully done book! Really well researched and laid out nicely. Lots of pictures of original work. You can really see the growth of Coleman Smith as an artist over her life. It took me back in time!

I didn't realize this is such a big, and I mean, BIG book - heavy, large, densely and beautifully illustrated , accompanied by interesting information about Smith's life and art.

Great pictures, fascinating story. Was really impressed with the size and quality of this book.

This is a wondrous introduction to a fascinating and unbelievably creative woman. Beyond her pivotal role in the making of the Colman-Waite tarot, I was excited to learn that she handcrafted miniature figures of people and animals, which she moved about on a tiny stage to act out public performances of stories of the trickster spider, Anansie and other Caribbean folktales! The book is full of reproductions of her artwork and I found her theatrical costume design sketches to be another previously unknown to me and very engaging facet of her work. This is a book that I'll revisit and page through often to unwind and fire up my imagination! -Len Warner

It was 1971 when Stuart Kaplan took Donald Weiser’s advice and acquired the rights to what is now commonly known as the Rider-Waite tarot deck. It was the beginning of Kaplan’s tarot empire. By the end of 1971, the deck was selling internationally. It was a time when no one thought to question whether or not Smith’s role in creating the deck was represented accurately.Like most people, I dismissed her input into the project, thinking that she was a technician following Waite’s instructions. The truth is that she was a respected professional artist, entrepreneur, occultist, and suffragette when Waite tapped her to create the visual imagery for his tarot project. Kaplan has stepped to the forefront once again, publishing over 400 pages documenting Colman’s skill, experience, and her major contribution to the most famous tarot deck in the world.This book firmly establishes that Colman brought her own extensive occult background to the project, and the drawings/reference materials in this timely book demonstrate that the foundations of some of the most notable tarot images were well established in her repertoire for years before she applied them to the tarot cards. It has been clear to me for decades that Waite was an initiate of the highest order. This book has convinced me that Smith was his peer not his handmaid. The time is right for this woman to be elevated to her rightful place in tarot history. Kaplan, along with Greer, O’Connor, Parsons, and the very capable U S. Games staff, have made this scholarly work a page turner.

I have taught tarot for over 40 years and for the first years I fought with the "Waite Smith" deck. I always used it when teaching but not in doing readings. It was not the prettiest deck on the market, just the smartest and most knowledgeable. Eventually I got it. No other artist has captured the meaning and story of each card in such a simpl way. No other artist has demonstrated the ability tocommunicate the meaning and depth of a card with such uncluttered illustrations. Why is this the best-selling tarot deck? It's not Waite's book nor is it Ryder's publishing. I often comment that as an artist her workk may have been seen by more people than almost anh other artist. Surely she is in the top echelon. Her life has been largely unknown to us but she has deserved better than this. And who etter than Stuart at US Games? What a feast of a book. Oh Pamela, if only you could see how wonderful we think you are. Thank you Stuart. This is a genuine gift to the Tarot World.

Almost all of your questions answered about the mystical artistic genius who illustrated the most popular Tarot deck in use today. This book is meticulously researched, lavishly illustrated, and beautifully bound. You will love Pixie more than ever as you read the story of her work and life. Even as large and heavy as this book is, you will not want to put it down!

I was really looking forward to getting this book. The book is beautiful. I haven't read it yet but I've flipped through it. I'm very happy I got this book. It's a beautiful collectors item for Rider Waite Tarot card owners or collectors. I'd say it's a must have. It's packed with beautiful art and photos. The book is just beautiful! I'm just really disappointed with whoever shipped my book. My book, a big hard cover book was simply shipped in a manila envelope...no bubble wrap, no nothing. Needless to say the edges of my book are crush3d in. Most obviously due to postal workers chucking parcels around and travelling from one continent to another. Beside the state of my book I'm ecstatic. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. I wanted to give this 1 star just for the horrible packaging and the state of my book but that doesn't reflect on the book. The book is definitely 5 stars so I'll just say 4 stars, but the book is 5 stars.

I thought the book was a normal hardcover but what a surprise! Was BIG Hardcover book beautifuly done, with great quality pages and printing. The images of Pamela Colman Smith's art look Great. Stunning colors ...all the art or images looks clear and detailed. A gifted English artist from the late 19th century and early 20th century on a time were women hadn't much rights as men, but pushed strongly for her art to be recognized as artist,painter and author and editor. For those we know about the now classic Rider-Waite tarot but not knew anything or much of the gifted artist who realized the art, is a JEWEL this book. I knew of her later after years of knowing of that famous tarot deck. Too bad in the medium of mystic/holistic/esoteric culture (where I frequented) when people tell you or recommend the Raider-Waite never the topic of the artist come around. And when I researched by myself and asked or told about her, people didn't knew about her...maybe of Arthur Edward Waite ..but even little or not much too. Just a minority of those I met on those early years of my learning of tarot knew who She was. This book is a MUST for people who are in the path of esoteric or tarot (as of course the Raider-Waite deck always is one of the most used) , are artist or studying art history or love History only for the learning as I do love history too. Great redacting the information about Pamela Colman Smith, and the other art apart from the tarot deck. The only downside but wasn't amazon's fault ...the ups service threw the box above the front iron fence of 6 ft. into the front porch but Good it was well protected packaged (Good service on packaging) . Sometimes things like that get one mad. But all is well and undamaged.

I want to say "Thank you" to someone who published this book. She is amazing artist and this book is fantastic!!

This is a beautifully done book! Really well researched and laid out nicely. Lots of pictures of original work. You can really see the growth of Coleman Smith as an artist over her life. It took me back in time!

I didn't realize this is such a big, and I mean, BIG book - heavy, large, densely and beautifully illustrated , accompanied by interesting information about Smith's life and art.

Great pictures, fascinating story. Was really impressed with the size and quality of this book.

This is a wondrous introduction to a fascinating and unbelievably creative woman. Beyond her pivotal role in the making of the Colman-Waite tarot, I was excited to learn that she handcrafted miniature figures of people and animals, which she moved about on a tiny stage to act out public performances of stories of the trickster spider, Anansie and other Caribbean folktales! The book is full of reproductions of her artwork and I found her theatrical costume design sketches to be another previously unknown to me and very engaging facet of her work. This is a book that I'll revisit and page through often to unwind and fire up my imagination! -Len Warner

It was 1971 when Stuart Kaplan took Donald Weiser’s advice and acquired the rights to what is now commonly known as the Rider-Waite tarot deck. It was the beginning of Kaplan’s tarot empire. By the end of 1971, the deck was selling internationally. It was a time when no one thought to question whether or not Smith’s role in creating the deck was represented accurately.Like most people, I dismissed her input into the project, thinking that she was a technician following Waite’s instructions. The truth is that she was a respected professional artist, entrepreneur, occultist, and suffragette when Waite tapped her to create the visual imagery for his tarot project. Kaplan has stepped to the forefront once again, publishing over 400 pages documenting Colman’s skill, experience, and her major contribution to the most famous tarot deck in the world.This book firmly establishes that Colman brought her own extensive occult background to the project, and the drawings/reference materials in this timely book demonstrate that the foundations of some of the most notable tarot images were well established in her repertoire for years before she applied them to the tarot cards. It has been clear to me for decades that Waite was an initiate of the highest order. This book has convinced me that Smith was his peer not his handmaid. The time is right for this woman to be elevated to her rightful place in tarot history. Kaplan, along with Greer, O’Connor, Parsons, and the very capable U S. Games staff, have made this scholarly work a page turner.

I have taught tarot for over 40 years and for the first years I fought with the "Waite Smith" deck. I always used it when teaching but not in doing readings. It was not the prettiest deck on the market, just the smartest and most knowledgeable. Eventually I got it. No other artist has captured the meaning and story of each card in such a simpl way. No other artist has demonstrated the ability tocommunicate the meaning and depth of a card with such uncluttered illustrations. Why is this the best-selling tarot deck? It's not Waite's book nor is it Ryder's publishing. I often comment that as an artist her workk may have been seen by more people than almost anh other artist. Surely she is in the top echelon. Her life has been largely unknown to us but she has deserved better than this. And who etter than Stuart at US Games? What a feast of a book. Oh Pamela, if only you could see how wonderful we think you are. Thank you Stuart. This is a genuine gift to the Tarot World.

Almost all of your questions answered about the mystical artistic genius who illustrated the most popular Tarot deck in use today. This book is meticulously researched, lavishly illustrated, and beautifully bound. You will love Pixie more than ever as you read the story of her work and life. Even as large and heavy as this book is, you will not want to put it down!

I was really looking forward to getting this book. The book is beautiful. I haven't read it yet but I've flipped through it. I'm very happy I got this book. It's a beautiful collectors item for Rider Waite Tarot card owners or collectors. I'd say it's a must have. It's packed with beautiful art and photos. The book is just beautiful! I'm just really disappointed with whoever shipped my book. My book, a big hard cover book was simply shipped in a manila envelope...no bubble wrap, no nothing. Needless to say the edges of my book are crush3d in. Most obviously due to postal workers chucking parcels around and travelling from one continent to another. Beside the state of my book I'm ecstatic. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. I wanted to give this 1 star just for the horrible packaging and the state of my book but that doesn't reflect on the book. The book is definitely 5 stars so I'll just say 4 stars, but the book is 5 stars.

I thought the book was a normal hardcover but what a surprise! Was BIG Hardcover book beautifuly done, with great quality pages and printing. The images of Pamela Colman Smith's art look Great. Stunning colors ...all the art or images looks clear and detailed. A gifted English artist from the late 19th century and early 20th century on a time were women hadn't much rights as men, but pushed strongly for her art to be recognized as artist,painter and author and editor. For those we know about the now classic Rider-Waite tarot but not knew anything or much of the gifted artist who realized the art, is a JEWEL this book. I knew of her later after years of knowing of that famous tarot deck. Too bad in the medium of mystic/holistic/esoteric culture (where I frequented) when people tell you or recommend the Raider-Waite never the topic of the artist come around. And when I researched by myself and asked or told about her, people didn't knew about her...maybe of Arthur Edward Waite ..but even little or not much too. Just a minority of those I met on those early years of my learning of tarot knew who She was. This book is a MUST for people who are in the path of esoteric or tarot (as of course the Raider-Waite deck always is one of the most used) , are artist or studying art history or love History only for the learning as I do love history too. Great redacting the information about Pamela Colman Smith, and the other art apart from the tarot deck. The only downside but wasn't amazon's fault ...the ups service threw the box above the front iron fence of 6 ft. into the front porch but Good it was well protected packaged (Good service on packaging) . Sometimes things like that get one mad. But all is well and undamaged.

I want to say "Thank you" to someone who published this book. She is amazing artist and this book is fantastic!!

This is a beautifully done book! Really well researched and laid out nicely. Lots of pictures of original work. You can really see the growth of Coleman Smith as an artist over her life. It took me back in time!

I didn't realize this is such a big, and I mean, BIG book - heavy, large, densely and beautifully illustrated , accompanied by interesting information about Smith's life and art.

Great pictures, fascinating story. Was really impressed with the size and quality of this book.

This is a wondrous introduction to a fascinating and unbelievably creative woman. Beyond her pivotal role in the making of the Colman-Waite tarot, I was excited to learn that she handcrafted miniature figures of people and animals, which she moved about on a tiny stage to act out public performances of stories of the trickster spider, Anansie and other Caribbean folktales! The book is full of reproductions of her artwork and I found her theatrical costume design sketches to be another previously unknown to me and very engaging facet of her work. This is a book that I'll revisit and page through often to unwind and fire up my imagination! -Len Warner

It was 1971 when Stuart Kaplan took Donald Weiser’s advice and acquired the rights to what is now commonly known as the Rider-Waite tarot deck. It was the beginning of Kaplan’s tarot empire. By the end of 1971, the deck was selling internationally. It was a time when no one thought to question whether or not Smith’s role in creating the deck was represented accurately.Like most people, I dismissed her input into the project, thinking that she was a technician following Waite’s instructions. The truth is that she was a respected professional artist, entrepreneur, occultist, and suffragette when Waite tapped her to create the visual imagery for his tarot project. Kaplan has stepped to the forefront once again, publishing over 400 pages documenting Colman’s skill, experience, and her major contribution to the most famous tarot deck in the world.This book firmly establishes that Colman brought her own extensive occult background to the project, and the drawings/reference materials in this timely book demonstrate that the foundations of some of the most notable tarot images were well established in her repertoire for years before she applied them to the tarot cards. It has been clear to me for decades that Waite was an initiate of the highest order. This book has convinced me that Smith was his peer not his handmaid. The time is right for this woman to be elevated to her rightful place in tarot history. Kaplan, along with Greer, O’Connor, Parsons, and the very capable U S. Games staff, have made this scholarly work a page turner.

I have taught tarot for over 40 years and for the first years I fought with the "Waite Smith" deck. I always used it when teaching but not in doing readings. It was not the prettiest deck on the market, just the smartest and most knowledgeable. Eventually I got it. No other artist has captured the meaning and story of each card in such a simpl way. No other artist has demonstrated the ability tocommunicate the meaning and depth of a card with such uncluttered illustrations. Why is this the best-selling tarot deck? It's not Waite's book nor is it Ryder's publishing. I often comment that as an artist her workk may have been seen by more people than almost anh other artist. Surely she is in the top echelon. Her life has been largely unknown to us but she has deserved better than this. And who etter than Stuart at US Games? What a feast of a book. Oh Pamela, if only you could see how wonderful we think you are. Thank you Stuart. This is a genuine gift to the Tarot World.

Almost all of your questions answered about the mystical artistic genius who illustrated the most popular Tarot deck in use today. This book is meticulously researched, lavishly illustrated, and beautifully bound. You will love Pixie more than ever as you read the story of her work and life. Even as large and heavy as this book is, you will not want to put it down!

I was really looking forward to getting this book. The book is beautiful. I haven't read it yet but I've flipped through it. I'm very happy I got this book. It's a beautiful collectors item for Rider Waite Tarot card owners or collectors. I'd say it's a must have. It's packed with beautiful art and photos. The book is just beautiful! I'm just really disappointed with whoever shipped my book. My book, a big hard cover book was simply shipped in a manila envelope...no bubble wrap, no nothing. Needless to say the edges of my book are crush3d in. Most obviously due to postal workers chucking parcels around and travelling from one continent to another. Beside the state of my book I'm ecstatic. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. I wanted to give this 1 star just for the horrible packaging and the state of my book but that doesn't reflect on the book. The book is definitely 5 stars so I'll just say 4 stars, but the book is 5 stars.

I thought the book was a normal hardcover but what a surprise! Was BIG Hardcover book beautifuly done, with great quality pages and printing. The images of Pamela Colman Smith's art look Great. Stunning colors ...all the art or images looks clear and detailed. A gifted English artist from the late 19th century and early 20th century on a time were women hadn't much rights as men, but pushed strongly for her art to be recognized as artist,painter and author and editor. For those we know about the now classic Rider-Waite tarot but not knew anything or much of the gifted artist who realized the art, is a JEWEL this book. I knew of her later after years of knowing of that famous tarot deck. Too bad in the medium of mystic/holistic/esoteric culture (where I frequented) when people tell you or recommend the Raider-Waite never the topic of the artist come around. And when I researched by myself and asked or told about her, people didn't knew about her...maybe of Arthur Edward Waite ..but even little or not much too. Just a minority of those I met on those early years of my learning of tarot knew who She was. This book is a MUST for people who are in the path of esoteric or tarot (as of course the Raider-Waite deck always is one of the most used) , are artist or studying art history or love History only for the learning as I do love history too. Great redacting the information about Pamela Colman Smith, and the other art apart from the tarot deck. The only downside but wasn't amazon's fault ...the ups service threw the box above the front iron fence of 6 ft. into the front porch but Good it was well protected packaged (Good service on packaging) . Sometimes things like that get one mad. But all is well and undamaged.

I want to say "Thank you" to someone who published this book. She is amazing artist and this book is fantastic!!

This is a beautifully done book! Really well researched and laid out nicely. Lots of pictures of original work. You can really see the growth of Coleman Smith as an artist over her life. It took me back in time!

I didn't realize this is such a big, and I mean, BIG book - heavy, large, densely and beautifully illustrated , accompanied by interesting information about Smith's life and art.

Great pictures, fascinating story. Was really impressed with the size and quality of this book.

I haven’t read it all yet, but I also purchased it to have a compendium of PCS artwork. In that it does not disappoint the color images and photos are wonderful.

I was expecting a small book with a few pages of art in the middle. This was BEAUTIFUL and so far well written. Tons of art and knowledge.

Great book I bought two one for me and the other agift

Loved this book, it’s more than a story, it’s a journey. A women’s life, migration, art !

well researched,

A delightful window into the life and times of an artist who has long fascinated tarot enthusiasts. Beautiful artwork and plenty of interesting details for the inquiring mind. A keeper.

This product arrived early! If you were ever curious about Pamela Colman Smith's life....this is the book for you!

I just obtain the book yesterday so I didnt have time to read it carefully. So far I looked in to the book to see beautiful paintings and drawnings and its finest. Looking forward to get into it!

Very nice book!

Loving it

This is a wondrous introduction to a fascinating and unbelievably creative woman. Beyond her pivotal role in the making of the Colman-Waite tarot, I was excited to learn that she handcrafted miniature figures of people and animals, which she moved about on a tiny stage to act out public performances of stories of the trickster spider, Anansie and other Caribbean folktales! The book is full of reproductions of her artwork and I found her theatrical costume design sketches to be another previously unknown to me and very engaging facet of her work. This is a book that I'll revisit and page through often to unwind and fire up my imagination! -Len Warner

It was 1971 when Stuart Kaplan took Donald Weiser’s advice and acquired the rights to what is now commonly known as the Rider-Waite tarot deck. It was the beginning of Kaplan’s tarot empire. By the end of 1971, the deck was selling internationally. It was a time when no one thought to question whether or not Smith’s role in creating the deck was represented accurately.Like most people, I dismissed her input into the project, thinking that she was a technician following Waite’s instructions. The truth is that she was a respected professional artist, entrepreneur, occultist, and suffragette when Waite tapped her to create the visual imagery for his tarot project. Kaplan has stepped to the forefront once again, publishing over 400 pages documenting Colman’s skill, experience, and her major contribution to the most famous tarot deck in the world.This book firmly establishes that Colman brought her own extensive occult background to the project, and the drawings/reference materials in this timely book demonstrate that the foundations of some of the most notable tarot images were well established in her repertoire for years before she applied them to the tarot cards. It has been clear to me for decades that Waite was an initiate of the highest order. This book has convinced me that Smith was his peer not his handmaid. The time is right for this woman to be elevated to her rightful place in tarot history. Kaplan, along with Greer, O’Connor, Parsons, and the very capable U S. Games staff, have made this scholarly work a page turner.

I have taught tarot for over 40 years and for the first years I fought with the "Waite Smith" deck. I always used it when teaching but not in doing readings. It was not the prettiest deck on the market, just the smartest and most knowledgeable. Eventually I got it. No other artist has captured the meaning and story of each card in such a simpl way. No other artist has demonstrated the ability tocommunicate the meaning and depth of a card with such uncluttered illustrations. Why is this the best-selling tarot deck? It's not Waite's book nor is it Ryder's publishing. I often comment that as an artist her workk may have been seen by more people than almost anh other artist. Surely she is in the top echelon. Her life has been largely unknown to us but she has deserved better than this. And who etter than Stuart at US Games? What a feast of a book. Oh Pamela, if only you could see how wonderful we think you are. Thank you Stuart. This is a genuine gift to the Tarot World.

Almost all of your questions answered about the mystical artistic genius who illustrated the most popular Tarot deck in use today. This book is meticulously researched, lavishly illustrated, and beautifully bound. You will love Pixie more than ever as you read the story of her work and life. Even as large and heavy as this book is, you will not want to put it down!

I was really looking forward to getting this book. The book is beautiful. I haven't read it yet but I've flipped through it. I'm very happy I got this book. It's a beautiful collectors item for Rider Waite Tarot card owners or collectors. I'd say it's a must have. It's packed with beautiful art and photos. The book is just beautiful! I'm just really disappointed with whoever shipped my book. My book, a big hard cover book was simply shipped in a manila envelope...no bubble wrap, no nothing. Needless to say the edges of my book are crush3d in. Most obviously due to postal workers chucking parcels around and travelling from one continent to another. Beside the state of my book I'm ecstatic. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. I wanted to give this 1 star just for the horrible packaging and the state of my book but that doesn't reflect on the book. The book is definitely 5 stars so I'll just say 4 stars, but the book is 5 stars.

I thought the book was a normal hardcover but what a surprise! Was BIG Hardcover book beautifuly done, with great quality pages and printing. The images of Pamela Colman Smith's art look Great. Stunning colors ...all the art or images looks clear and detailed. A gifted English artist from the late 19th century and early 20th century on a time were women hadn't much rights as men, but pushed strongly for her art to be recognized as artist,painter and author and editor. For those we know about the now classic Rider-Waite tarot but not knew anything or much of the gifted artist who realized the art, is a JEWEL this book. I knew of her later after years of knowing of that famous tarot deck. Too bad in the medium of mystic/holistic/esoteric culture (where I frequented) when people tell you or recommend the Raider-Waite never the topic of the artist come around. And when I researched by myself and asked or told about her, people didn't knew about her...maybe of Arthur Edward Waite ..but even little or not much too. Just a minority of those I met on those early years of my learning of tarot knew who She was. This book is a MUST for people who are in the path of esoteric or tarot (as of course the Raider-Waite deck always is one of the most used) , are artist or studying art history or love History only for the learning as I do love history too. Great redacting the information about Pamela Colman Smith, and the other art apart from the tarot deck. The only downside but wasn't amazon's fault ...the ups service threw the box above the front iron fence of 6 ft. into the front porch but Good it was well protected packaged (Good service on packaging) . Sometimes things like that get one mad. But all is well and undamaged.

I want to say "Thank you" to someone who published this book. She is amazing artist and this book is fantastic!!

This is a beautifully done book! Really well researched and laid out nicely. Lots of pictures of original work. You can really see the growth of Coleman Smith as an artist over her life. It took me back in time!

I didn't realize this is such a big, and I mean, BIG book - heavy, large, densely and beautifully illustrated , accompanied by interesting information about Smith's life and art.

Great pictures, fascinating story. Was really impressed with the size and quality of this book.

amazing!

It is about time to tell the story about this extraordinarily talented woman whose work is most readily visible in the beguiling illustrations on the Rider-Waite Tarot cards. Born in England but also homed in Jamaica and Brooklyn, she attended the Pratt Institute for art classes, recorded Jamaican folk tales and music from her residence there, and engaged in theater, costumery, painting, printing, publishing and too many other activities that piqued her interest. This unusual artistic wonder transcribed the tones of music into her palette of artistic impressions due to her innate synesthesia. Within this hefty volume of more than 400 pages, are a collection of the subject’s correspondence with photos, reproductions of her non-tarot art, some selected pages from her publication Visitors book, commentaries about her life, along with descriptions of the companions that assisted and/or influenced her. She was well acquainted with the Yeats in England, Stieglizt in New York, and was nicknamed ‘pixie’ by her good friend the famed British actress Ellen Terry. As one of the progressive and gifted luminaries of the 20th century, the phenomenal story of this intrepidly talented woman is gloriously exposed in this beautifully illuminating volume.

Pamela Colman Smith: The Untold Story finally succeeds in telling the life of one of the most enigmatic of chameleons. Pixie came from many places (Brooklyn, London, Jamaica), and wore many hats (Illustrator, Performer, Publisher), but beneath the sprightly bohemian countenance was the fierce heart of a fiery feminist who would never allow herself to be controlled by any man. Pamela's life is recounted by Elizabeth O'Connor in a quick and slightly flat timeline, but this book really shines in the latter 3 sections: Her life in art is lavishly furnished by Stuart Kaplan, Melinda Parson brings a wealth of fascinating influences to the Tarot deck that (now, finally) bears her name, but it is really Mary Greer's final synthesis that finally brings to life one so enigmatic, closeted, contradictory, stubborn and brilliant. This is the ultimate source for the life, works and world of Pamela Colman Smith, and should be read by everyone who has been touched and inspired by her ground-breaking tarot paintings.

This is an iconic book, written by four highly qualified scholars in their own fields (Stuart R. Kaplan, Mary K. Greer, Elizabeth Foley O'Connor, and Melinda Boyd Parsons). "Pixie" Smith was a woman of many talents. Best known for her artwork on the Rider-Waite deck, she was also a painter, writer, publisher (founder of The Green Sheaf), actress, and set designer. Hard cover, at 440 pages this book that quietly asserts its quality - from the gold in-lay lettering on the cover, to the 400 full color photos, to the delightful "spot illustrations" throughout the book, to the in-depth bibliography. You will see things here that you will see nowhere else - including Pixie's birth and death certificates, her passport application, letters that she has written, and more. In and of itself, this is a stunning reference volume on the life and times of Pamala Colman Smith.

Beautiful hardcover with superb illustrations, many never photographed before. "Pixie" is best known as the artist of the "Rider - Waite Tarot deck" and a student of the Golden Dawn. Here personal story intertwines with the Great Irish Revival in theater, poetry and politics. Rather short and shy, while she did play roles on the stage, her greatest joy was in design. Her posters, costume designs and fairy tales from her youth in the Caribbean brought her a Who's Who of Interesting people to sit crosslegged and listen to the Gypsy, Pixie. This is a treasure.

This is a book that is a must-have for anyone remotely interested in Tarot but also interested in the life of a fascinating woman who the world almost forgot about. If it weren't for the lifelong passion on Stuart Kaplan (one of the four authors), the woman known as Pixie might have slipped out of our knowledge. But, thanks to Kaplan, Greer and the others, we now have a book that not only celebrates Pamela Colman Smith as an artist but also as a fully fleshed out human. Her work in theatre is highlighted. Her work as a woman in the publishing industry comes to life. All the things she did are put together in this gorgeous book. Kaplan has a personal investment in Pamela Colman Smith. He's collected her works and other items such as her guest book. Then he uses those images to illustrate the illustrator. Her circle of friends included famous actors, authors, and artists. Many of them doodled in her guestbook. To be able to see those image in this book was one of my biggest thrills. I met Pixie not only as an artist of a Tarot deck but as an influential woman in her time and space. This book is a work of art in words and images but also in heart. Each author delivers so much. I think it is a must-have.

When was the last time you fell in love with a book? If it's been too long, allow me to serve as your literary Cupid. "Pamela Coleman Smith — The Untold Story" is, quite simply, a masterpiece. It's a massive body of work, not merely in content but in actual size. At roughly the same size and weight as an old-school encyclopedia, and just as chock full of information, this is a book to display on the coffee table for others to enjoy, and for yourself as well, to savor long after you've finished reading it. With an exhaustive bibliography after each of its four main sections, this is also a book that will surely inspire further independent exploration. The book's four contributors — Stuart Kaplan, Mary K. Greer, Elizabeth Foley O'Connor and Melinda Boyd Parsons — each address a different angle of Coleman Smith's life. Kaplan, who propelled Coleman Smith's work onward and outward to a wider audience via his U.S. Games Systems, contributes a gorgeous, generous gallery of Coleman Smith's artwork to the book, which is printed on thick, luxurious paper, adding to the pleasure of viewing her work. While Coleman Smith is most well-known for her artwork, the depth and breadth of her experience extends from theatrical productions to writing to socio-political efforts to Jamaican storytelling. Kaplan additionally shares some of Coleman Smith's writing, artwork, posters and handwritten notes, as well as the precious few drawings there are of the woman herself. While Kaplan provides the illustrations, notes and writings for this book, the other contributors examine different aspects of her life, in amazing detail. Prior to this book, Coleman Smith suffered from "Betsy Ross Syndrome"; like Ross, who is rather dismissively summarized as "the woman who sewed the first American flag" and then brushed aside without further inspection of her rich life, Coleman Smith, is just "the woman who did the tarot drawings." "Just." Coleman Smith's artwork has arguably been viewed more than any other artist in history. It is iconic, it is archetypal, it is historical, mysterious and whimsical, and astonishingly detailed and symbolic. It draws you in, whether you know anything about tarot or not. Moreover these images in turn inspired countless other tarot decks to follow, earning the Rider-Waite deck the title of "Mother of All Tarot Decks." The book begins with Foley O'Connor delving into the details of Coleman Smith's childhood, adolescence and onwards, from her overseas travel with her parents, to her college years, to her work as an illustrator to her endeavor in theater and theater costuming — both at full scale and in miniature — as well as her attempts at self-publishing. Foley O'Connor notes Coleman Smith's struggles to "make it," as well as her bitterness in accepting that financial success would dodge her all her life. Coleman Smith ultimately moves to Cornwall in England, living out her days quietly serving her community in a small, local church. At the time of her death, she was in arrears in paying her taxes and most of her belongings were liquidated. She passed without any children or heirs, never imagining that her artwork would one day be the singular iconic images of the tarot world. Even the site of her grave is unknown. Boyd Parsons focuses in on Coleman Smith's tarot-related artwork, which ironically was essentially a poorly-compensated side job for Arthur Edward Waite, who welcomed her into London's Isis-Urania Temple of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the symbolism of which inspired much of the imagery in Coleman Smith's drawings. Boyd Parsons contributes insight about just how Coleman Smith was inspired to create those images tarot readers have come to know so well, including delightful surprises, such as the actual people in Coleman Smith's life who ended up as figures in both the Major and Minor Arcana. And what are we to make of this voluminous information about the woman whose artwork has inspired and intrigued so many? Tarot expert Mary Greer provides this summary in the final section of the book, in which she highlights the legacy of Coleman Smith's body of work. Greer defines "legacy" as "something from the past — a gift or inheritance — that is left to those who come after. Coleman Smith's tarot legacy has touched the lives of millions as it arrives at the 140th anniversary of her birth this year, as well as the 50th anniversary of Kaplan's U.S. Games Systems. Greer succinctly summarizes the value of this amazing book on page 381: "But it is this book itself that will be of utmost significance in opening the door of public awareness to Pamela's artistic gifts and previously unknown facts concerning her life. Nowhere else will one be able to hold in their hands the vast evidence of her creative abilities and productions..." Yes, a door, as Greer says, and one that anyone who has ever held a tarot card and wondered about its meaning must wander through. This door that leads to a rich and thorough exploration of the woman whose work we all know... but of whom we know little. It is a book to cherish, for oneself or as a gift for anyone who loves tarot.

This gorgeous book is full of fascinating information about Pamela Colman Smith and all her artwork. Anyone who is familiar with her Rider-Waite-Smith tarot art will be impressed at the breadth of her other artistic and literary accomplishments. She illustrated books by Bram Stoker, she designed theater sets and costumes, she painted "music pictures", she published and illustrated children's books. She was the first person to have non-photography art at the famous Stieglitz Gallery. And she did all this in the late 19th century and into the early 1900s. This book helps readers understand how she was a woman ahead of her time. It will appeal to more than just the tarot crowd; it will be of interest to those involved with theater, publishing, art history, women's history and more. It's far more than just a biography - it's a beautiful compendium of art and information about someone who is finally getting the attention and admiration she deserves. Since writing this review I found out that this amazing book has won several well-deserved awards: Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR) Awards, PubWest Book Design Awards, and American Book Fest Best Book Awards. Impressive! Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR) Awards—Gold: Autobiographical/Biographical Books; Gold: Book Cover Design PubWest Book Design Awards—Gold: Art Book; Silver: Gift, Holiday, or Specialty Book

Pamela Colman Smith, The Untold Story is a delightful and engaging portrait of a multi-talented and fascinating woman. Artist doesn’t begin to describe a woman who did nearly everything: poet, story-teller, costume designer, performer, publisher, entrepreneur and artist of the well-known Rider-Waite Tarot Cards. While one might assume all of this took place in the not too distant past, Pamela actually accomplished this at the turn of the century, during the Women’s Suffragette movement as well as during WWI. This book is engaging and visually pleasing with many sketches and pictures, as well as presentation of published stories, legal documents and Pamela’s personal notations. This is a perfect gift for the budding artist, those studying “Women and Gender” stories, those interested in life during the latter portion of the Victorian period both in England and America and anyone who enjoys a beautifully constructed life story as well as handsome volume to treasure.

The effort to give Pamela Colman Smith proper credit for her place in history has been achieved by Stuart Kaplan and the other contributors to this piece. Her importance in the history of Tarot has been increasingly understood and propounded by Mary K Greer and others in recent years. This book completes that process in my opinion. The book is well organized in terms of topic and approach. Readers will get a good sense of Colman Smith's importance for Tarot; which, alone, makes it a good book. The contributors go beyond this to provide a sense of the subject's life and times as well as her artistic output. There is also an incredible amount of source material that has been collected and presented to the reader. I highly encourage people to read this book if they have any interest at all in Pamela Colman Smith. It would also be a great read for those with an interest in early twentieth century art and culture. Most importantly, those with an interest in Tarot should know about Pamela and there is no other book that will compete with this one in that respect.

This is a wondrous introduction to a fascinating and unbelievably creative woman. Beyond her pivotal role in the making of the Colman-Waite tarot, I was excited to learn that she handcrafted miniature figures of people and animals, which she moved about on a tiny stage to act out public performances of stories of the trickster spider, Anansie and other Caribbean folktales! The book is full of reproductions of her artwork and I found her theatrical costume design sketches to be another previously unknown to me and very engaging facet of her work. This is a book that I'll revisit and page through often to unwind and fire up my imagination! -Len Warner

It was 1971 when Stuart Kaplan took Donald Weiser’s advice and acquired the rights to what is now commonly known as the Rider-Waite tarot deck. It was the beginning of Kaplan’s tarot empire. By the end of 1971, the deck was selling internationally. It was a time when no one thought to question whether or not Smith’s role in creating the deck was represented accurately.Like most people, I dismissed her input into the project, thinking that she was a technician following Waite’s instructions. The truth is that she was a respected professional artist, entrepreneur, occultist, and suffragette when Waite tapped her to create the visual imagery for his tarot project. Kaplan has stepped to the forefront once again, publishing over 400 pages documenting Colman’s skill, experience, and her major contribution to the most famous tarot deck in the world.This book firmly establishes that Colman brought her own extensive occult background to the project, and the drawings/reference materials in this timely book demonstrate that the foundations of some of the most notable tarot images were well established in her repertoire for years before she applied them to the tarot cards. It has been clear to me for decades that Waite was an initiate of the highest order. This book has convinced me that Smith was his peer not his handmaid. The time is right for this woman to be elevated to her rightful place in tarot history. Kaplan, along with Greer, O’Connor, Parsons, and the very capable U S. Games staff, have made this scholarly work a page turner.

I have taught tarot for over 40 years and for the first years I fought with the "Waite Smith" deck. I always used it when teaching but not in doing readings. It was not the prettiest deck on the market, just the smartest and most knowledgeable. Eventually I got it. No other artist has captured the meaning and story of each card in such a simpl way. No other artist has demonstrated the ability tocommunicate the meaning and depth of a card with such uncluttered illustrations. Why is this the best-selling tarot deck? It's not Waite's book nor is it Ryder's publishing. I often comment that as an artist her workk may have been seen by more people than almost anh other artist. Surely she is in the top echelon. Her life has been largely unknown to us but she has deserved better than this. And who etter than Stuart at US Games? What a feast of a book. Oh Pamela, if only you could see how wonderful we think you are. Thank you Stuart. This is a genuine gift to the Tarot World.

Almost all of your questions answered about the mystical artistic genius who illustrated the most popular Tarot deck in use today. This book is meticulously researched, lavishly illustrated, and beautifully bound. You will love Pixie more than ever as you read the story of her work and life. Even as large and heavy as this book is, you will not want to put it down!

I was really looking forward to getting this book. The book is beautiful. I haven't read it yet but I've flipped through it. I'm very happy I got this book. It's a beautiful collectors item for Rider Waite Tarot card owners or collectors. I'd say it's a must have. It's packed with beautiful art and photos. The book is just beautiful! I'm just really disappointed with whoever shipped my book. My book, a big hard cover book was simply shipped in a manila envelope...no bubble wrap, no nothing. Needless to say the edges of my book are crush3d in. Most obviously due to postal workers chucking parcels around and travelling from one continent to another. Beside the state of my book I'm ecstatic. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. I wanted to give this 1 star just for the horrible packaging and the state of my book but that doesn't reflect on the book. The book is definitely 5 stars so I'll just say 4 stars, but the book is 5 stars.

I thought the book was a normal hardcover but what a surprise! Was BIG Hardcover book beautifuly done, with great quality pages and printing. The images of Pamela Colman Smith's art look Great. Stunning colors ...all the art or images looks clear and detailed. A gifted English artist from the late 19th century and early 20th century on a time were women hadn't much rights as men, but pushed strongly for her art to be recognized as artist,painter and author and editor. For those we know about the now classic Rider-Waite tarot but not knew anything or much of the gifted artist who realized the art, is a JEWEL this book. I knew of her later after years of knowing of that famous tarot deck. Too bad in the medium of mystic/holistic/esoteric culture (where I frequented) when people tell you or recommend the Raider-Waite never the topic of the artist come around. And when I researched by myself and asked or told about her, people didn't knew about her...maybe of Arthur Edward Waite ..but even little or not much too. Just a minority of those I met on those early years of my learning of tarot knew who She was. This book is a MUST for people who are in the path of esoteric or tarot (as of course the Raider-Waite deck always is one of the most used) , are artist or studying art history or love History only for the learning as I do love history too. Great redacting the information about Pamela Colman Smith, and the other art apart from the tarot deck. The only downside but wasn't amazon's fault ...the ups service threw the box above the front iron fence of 6 ft. into the front porch but Good it was well protected packaged (Good service on packaging) . Sometimes things like that get one mad. But all is well and undamaged.

I want to say "Thank you" to someone who published this book. She is amazing artist and this book is fantastic!!

This is a beautifully done book! Really well researched and laid out nicely. Lots of pictures of original work. You can really see the growth of Coleman Smith as an artist over her life. It took me back in time!

I didn't realize this is such a big, and I mean, BIG book - heavy, large, densely and beautifully illustrated , accompanied by interesting information about Smith's life and art.

Great pictures, fascinating story. Was really impressed with the size and quality of this book.

At first impression I was very surprised to see the quality of the paper and cover - it's rare to see a book these days with such quality. In addition to being beautifully bound, this book is meticulously researched and lavishly illustrated. Provides great insights and a wonderful read for any tarot lover.

This is such an inspiring book, complete with a collection of illustrations, poetry, costume design, and musings from the splendid turn of the century female artist and mystic Pamela Coleman Smith.

This really is a remarkable tribute to Pamela Colman Smith. The quality of the reproductions, paper and cover are all top-notch, and the input of the four main authors adds much to our understanding of this remarkable woman. There are perhaps some things I would have liked to have seen done differently. It would have been a good idea to have shown how her style fits with those of her European and American contemporaries; this would have shown her to been the equal of many more widely published artists. Secondly, the obscurity of her life shows through in places; her later years feel a bit sketchy, for example. This is perhaps inevitable, of course, and shouldn't be taken as signs of authorial laziness. These are minor points. Please don't let them put you off. Treat yourself to this book. It is a work of love, and worth every penny.

What an AMAZINGLY beautiful book this is! THANK YOU FOR THIS! Everybody who uses the Rider Waite Tarot decks by Pamela Colman Smith should have this book to truly understand the artist ... see how the cards originated .. who the woman behind the art was ... 5 stars is not enough for this book!

A dream

Perfect Christmas gift for the tarot enthusiasts in your crowd. It's an art book and history of Pamela Colman Smith, the illustrator of the original Rider Waite tarot deck and her fascinating story. Lots of gorgeous color reproductions and art work. Highly recommended. Beautiful.

Such a great read and collectible for tarot lovers

Good service Quick delivery Amazing read

2018年初版。ライダー・ウェイト版タロットカードの作画を手がけたパメラ・コールマン・スミスに関する研究書として最高峰のものであるだけでなく、美術書としても圧巻であり、彼女の手がけた（タロット以外の）あらゆる作品、自筆書簡、果てはパスポートの写真まで、あらゆる記録がカラー印刷で収録されている贅沢な内容。おそらく今後これを越える仕事は出現しないであろう。

This is a wondrous introduction to a fascinating and unbelievably creative woman. Beyond her pivotal role in the making of the Colman-Waite tarot, I was excited to learn that she handcrafted miniature figures of people and animals, which she moved about on a tiny stage to act out public performances of stories of the trickster spider, Anansie and other Caribbean folktales! The book is full of reproductions of her artwork and I found her theatrical costume design sketches to be another previously unknown to me and very engaging facet of her work. This is a book that I'll revisit and page through often to unwind and fire up my imagination! -Len Warner

It was 1971 when Stuart Kaplan took Donald Weiser’s advice and acquired the rights to what is now commonly known as the Rider-Waite tarot deck. It was the beginning of Kaplan’s tarot empire. By the end of 1971, the deck was selling internationally. It was a time when no one thought to question whether or not Smith’s role in creating the deck was represented accurately.Like most people, I dismissed her input into the project, thinking that she was a technician following Waite’s instructions. The truth is that she was a respected professional artist, entrepreneur, occultist, and suffragette when Waite tapped her to create the visual imagery for his tarot project. Kaplan has stepped to the forefront once again, publishing over 400 pages documenting Colman’s skill, experience, and her major contribution to the most famous tarot deck in the world.This book firmly establishes that Colman brought her own extensive occult background to the project, and the drawings/reference materials in this timely book demonstrate that the foundations of some of the most notable tarot images were well established in her repertoire for years before she applied them to the tarot cards. It has been clear to me for decades that Waite was an initiate of the highest order. This book has convinced me that Smith was his peer not his handmaid. The time is right for this woman to be elevated to her rightful place in tarot history. Kaplan, along with Greer, O’Connor, Parsons, and the very capable U S. Games staff, have made this scholarly work a page turner.

I have taught tarot for over 40 years and for the first years I fought with the "Waite Smith" deck. I always used it when teaching but not in doing readings. It was not the prettiest deck on the market, just the smartest and most knowledgeable. Eventually I got it. No other artist has captured the meaning and story of each card in such a simpl way. No other artist has demonstrated the ability tocommunicate the meaning and depth of a card with such uncluttered illustrations. Why is this the best-selling tarot deck? It's not Waite's book nor is it Ryder's publishing. I often comment that as an artist her workk may have been seen by more people than almost anh other artist. Surely she is in the top echelon. Her life has been largely unknown to us but she has deserved better than this. And who etter than Stuart at US Games? What a feast of a book. Oh Pamela, if only you could see how wonderful we think you are. Thank you Stuart. This is a genuine gift to the Tarot World.

Almost all of your questions answered about the mystical artistic genius who illustrated the most popular Tarot deck in use today. This book is meticulously researched, lavishly illustrated, and beautifully bound. You will love Pixie more than ever as you read the story of her work and life. Even as large and heavy as this book is, you will not want to put it down!

I was really looking forward to getting this book. The book is beautiful. I haven't read it yet but I've flipped through it. I'm very happy I got this book. It's a beautiful collectors item for Rider Waite Tarot card owners or collectors. I'd say it's a must have. It's packed with beautiful art and photos. The book is just beautiful! I'm just really disappointed with whoever shipped my book. My book, a big hard cover book was simply shipped in a manila envelope...no bubble wrap, no nothing. Needless to say the edges of my book are crush3d in. Most obviously due to postal workers chucking parcels around and travelling from one continent to another. Beside the state of my book I'm ecstatic. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. I wanted to give this 1 star just for the horrible packaging and the state of my book but that doesn't reflect on the book. The book is definitely 5 stars so I'll just say 4 stars, but the book is 5 stars.

I thought the book was a normal hardcover but what a surprise! Was BIG Hardcover book beautifuly done, with great quality pages and printing. The images of Pamela Colman Smith's art look Great. Stunning colors ...all the art or images looks clear and detailed. A gifted English artist from the late 19th century and early 20th century on a time were women hadn't much rights as men, but pushed strongly for her art to be recognized as artist,painter and author and editor. For those we know about the now classic Rider-Waite tarot but not knew anything or much of the gifted artist who realized the art, is a JEWEL this book. I knew of her later after years of knowing of that famous tarot deck. Too bad in the medium of mystic/holistic/esoteric culture (where I frequented) when people tell you or recommend the Raider-Waite never the topic of the artist come around. And when I researched by myself and asked or told about her, people didn't knew about her...maybe of Arthur Edward Waite ..but even little or not much too. Just a minority of those I met on those early years of my learning of tarot knew who She was. This book is a MUST for people who are in the path of esoteric or tarot (as of course the Raider-Waite deck always is one of the most used) , are artist or studying art history or love History only for the learning as I do love history too. Great redacting the information about Pamela Colman Smith, and the other art apart from the tarot deck. The only downside but wasn't amazon's fault ...the ups service threw the box above the front iron fence of 6 ft. into the front porch but Good it was well protected packaged (Good service on packaging) . Sometimes things like that get one mad. But all is well and undamaged.

I want to say "Thank you" to someone who published this book. She is amazing artist and this book is fantastic!!

This is a beautifully done book! Really well researched and laid out nicely. Lots of pictures of original work. You can really see the growth of Coleman Smith as an artist over her life. It took me back in time!

I didn't realize this is such a big, and I mean, BIG book - heavy, large, densely and beautifully illustrated , accompanied by interesting information about Smith's life and art.

Great pictures, fascinating story. Was really impressed with the size and quality of this book.