Ok maybe I missed it but what about the Marseilles Deck. This is the first Tarot deck. It's the original deck that started it all off people.

Hi Jon,

Not everyone believes that the Marseilles deck was the first though.....

HI JON,
I hope you keep watching this topic, i have done research and are still busy putting everything toghether. There are decks that existed long before Ettiele aka aliette designed, these were normally hand painted and fairly large. I will just refresh a bit and then post the History.

BLESSED BE.

Aren't the earlier cards simply cards from the "Triumph" deck and not real Tarot cards? It seems to me that the first true Tarot deck is the Marseilles.
I think these fist ones and some of the ones you are refering to were also block printed weren't they? I wouldn't be surprised at hand painted cards either though. So I don't disagree with you about that.

There are many different version of the first tarot deck. Being anything from the Tarot de Marseilles, to either the Qabalah and ancient Egypt. The first full deck I think is referenced from the TdM, but I wouldn't put too much stock in any one story since there is so many floating around about it. Everyone has a theory or "proof" of the history of tarot. The only reason the TdM is likely to have its title is due to the fact that is probably around the time when playing cards were merged with the Majors.

I will let you believe whatever you wish to, personally I simply don't like the TdM. They are horridly ugly to me with their odd coloring and bizarrely shaped people. If you like the TdM use....and read more on all types of history of tarot you see what I mean on different versions. They are all quite interesting and even pausible. I however use what I like and what works for me.