The longer I study and work with the Tarot, the more enamored I become with the Waite-Smith deck (RWS). It is a great deck, with its careful synthesis of many systems of thought: alchemy, astrology, Qaballah, and numerology among others. The systematic research and overlay of these schools of thought by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn is just extraordinary. Many people dislike the inclusion of so many systems of attributions, but I don’t. I have grown to appreciate them more and more, and am fascinated by it all.
My appreciation and study of the RWS deck has been rewarded by the acquisition of my newest deck , a 1920 edition of the RWS deck, specifically the Pam-B. Researchers K. Frank Jensen and Holly Voley have identified 4 editions of the RWS deck, which they term Pam-A, B, C, and D. These labels do not specify the chronology of which edition came first; the jury is still out on that question.
Jensen and Voley looked at card backs of the early editions, the books that were packaged with the cards, and variations in the line art & printing of certain cards. The one card that shows the most variance is the Sun card. For example, the Pam-B is the only edition of the four that does not have the extra squiggle line at the top of the sun (see image below).
Pam-A
Jensen, in his detailed book The Story of the Waite-Smith Tarot, describes the variations in the differing editions, and offers a possible explanation of the variations. It is an interesting mystery, since all of the records of the publisher Rider were apparently destroyed during the wars, and none of Pamela Colman Smith’s original artwork has ever been located.
According to Jensen, the Pam-B edition was published with the “New Edition” of the book The Key to the Tarot in 1920. Another printing gives a copyright date of 1931. My book however, has no copyright date at all, although in all other respects, it matches perfectly with the other details given by Jensen about the Pam-B version of the book. So, my deck can safely be dated between 1920 and 1931. Truly a piece of Tarot history. It is a complete set, with the two part maroon box, the deck with the marbled back pattern, and all the details mentioned in the book about the Pam-B.
When the deck arrived in the mail, my hands were shaking as I opened the package. Although I had seen pictures of the deck before purchasing it, I was not sure how I would react to actually having an 80-90 year old RWS deck in my possession (however, when I attended the 2009 BATS, I was fortunate enough to hold one of the early editions that Holly Voley brought to show us as part of her presentation). For its age, my set is in remarkably good condition. The box shows a bit of wear, but is completely intact. The hardcover book is the same size as the deck itself and also in great shape. But the deck itself has only a slight musty smell to give away its age. The colors are wonderfully vibrant, even after all these years, and the cards appear to be almost perfect. This was a deck that was not used much or mishandled in any way.
Cards from my Pam-B
Pam-B set w/box and book
According to the seller, when I asked about where the deck came from, “I got it from a scoutmaster whose mother it belonged to. He sold it on ebay to raise money for his group of boy scouts (they need a new scout-hut). He sold really very cheaply because it was so old that no-one would want it – after all, it was just stuffed in his mum’s drawer….So it had a history of being kept in one family although I am not sure how used it was – it’s in such good condition.” I was so pleased to hear this story!
I am thrilled beyond belief to be able to add such an important piece of Tarot history to my collection. It is, without doubt, the crown jewel of my 600-odd deck collection, and something I will treasure always. It has also inspired me to continue my study and research on this amazing deck.
