Pamela Colman Smith converted to Catholicism shortly after she designed the Tarot Deck for Arthur Edward Waite around 1911. She had a private Catholic Chapel built in her home in England, and hand painted the exterior of the home with images of Catholic Saints and a Crucifix above the front door with strands of Ivy along the sides of the door. Her artwork in this last half of her life extended to her home, books, posters, chapel and artwork yet to be discovered. She provided lodging for visiting Catholic Priests so she could have Mass celebrated in her private Chapel named Our Lady of the Lizard after a Peninsula of land in that area of Cornwall England, known as the Lizard. She visited friends (including Alphaeus Cole) in New York in the late 1940's, just a few years before her death, and exhorted them to join the Catholic Church, as the religion was to quote her, "such fun". I have always wondered what their reaction was to this unusual request as recorded in the Biographical information by Stuart Kaplan. Pamela Colman Smith kept a Catholic Prayer Book with her she used for devotions, and drew images from Catholicism on most of the pages. There must be a large amount of undiscovered artwork yet to be found in last 35 years of her life. One such piece of artwork that was painted around 1917 is for a Polish Relief Fund and depicts an image of The Virgin Mary. In appreciation of Pamela Colman Smith's life and work, I can only at this point make a statement that I feel she would appreciate Spiritually from her devotion to Catholicism. "Eternal Rest grant unto her, and may Perpetual Light shine upon her. May she Rest in Peace. In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." It is my that hope that the last half of Pamela Colman Smith's life can be fully rediscovered, as has been so well done in this Commemorative Boxed Set dealing primarily with the first half. I highly recommend this Commemorative Boxed Set in Pamela Colman Smith's memory, and the 100th Anniversary of the printing of the newly named Tarot Deck she designed, the Smith-Waite Tarot Centennial Edition Deck. The quality of material is excellent, the variety of contents (including Postcards and Artwork never seen before), packaging exceptional (even with ribbons and a blue cloth bag to keep the cards), and most importantly the biography which is very informative especially in view of the early years of Pamela Colman Smith's artistic endeavors and accomplishments. Stuart Kaplan of U S Games, is to be congratulated for the time and effort put into this very special project.Read full review
I was excited and disappointed all at the same time. The supplemental materials are excellent and I am extremely happy to have them but the tarot deck is no different from other Rider Waite decks I already own. In fact the printing is of a inferior quality compared to some other decks of the same name. This is a great set to have if you are a collector or interested in the Golden Dawn, however there are better decks for working the Golden Dawn system of tarot. You buy this set to have the supplemental materials or as a first deck/ first Rider Waite deck. Someone just starting out might not be able to totally appreciate the importance of Pamela's work, not only to the world of art, but also to the deepening of the esoteric study of tarot. This set might help them garner a better comprehension of the contributions this incredible woman made. Would be a great gift for the tarot connoisseur not for the tarot deck but for all the other goodies that come with the boxed set.Read full review
This is the bomb diggity. A stream lined "Pictorial Key to the Tarot" book, but better, a book about Pixie the artist, and it really celebrates her and her amazing work. The cards feel great too to shuffle and it all comes in a nice box. I adore this set so much.
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Usually when I fall in love with a book, I enjoy it sharing it with other people I care about who I think will appreciate it too. But I will NEVER let this book/deck set leave my possession. The Art & Times of Pamela Colman Smith tells the story of this amazingly multi-faceted artist in such a sweet, inspiring way. The book is chock full of gorgeous examples of her paintings, drawings, illustrations, personal writings etc. The deck is the standard Rider-Waite Tarot, but in the classic original colors which are softer than the primary colors we are used to. The set also features some wonderful reprints of Pixie's artwork. I will definelty display these but I will not share!! This is a keeper, to be treasured forever.
This is a masterpiece, I'm in love. Really complete and beautiful arts of Pamela Colman Smith. I love it.
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