Tarot by François Heri (Limited Edition) by Yves Reynaud

Tarot by François Heri (Limited Edition, unopened and sealed) The Tarot by François Heri stands as a remarkable artifact from the "golden century" of European tarot. Created in 1718 in Solothurn, Switzerland, by master card engraver François Heri, this deck exemplifies the refinement of the Tarot de Marseille tradition as it spread beyond France into neighboring regions. Following the standards established by his French colleagues, Heri produced several tarot decks distinguished by their technical precision and iconographic clarity.

This limited edition is based on an exceptionally well-preserved copy housed in the Swiss National Museum of Zurich. The deck's historical value lies in the unusual integrity of its imagery—the icons retain a clarity and character that make it an invaluable resource for understanding 18th-century tarot design.

Historical Context & Structure The deck adheres to the classic Tarot de Marseille format:

• 22 Major Arcana following the traditional sequence and imagery
• 56 Minor Arcana divided into Cups, Coins, Batons, and Swords
• 78 cards in total, conforming to the standard structure established by French master card makers

The iconography reflects the distinctive visual language of the Marseille tradition, with clearly defined symbols and a composition that has influenced tarot design for over three centuries.

Production Quality

• Card size: 2¾ × 4 15/16 inches (70 × 125 mm)
• Print quality: High-resolution facsimile reproduction that honors the original engravings with faithful color matching and line work
• Cardstock: Durable stock appropriate for both study and practical use; intentionally left unsealed to preserve authentic handling characteristics
• Packaging: Decorated box set designed to protect and display the deck
• Included materials: 2 presentation cards (English and French) providing historical context and edition details
• Edition: Limited to 3,000 numbered copies

About the Reproduction This edition was realized by Yves Reynaud and Wilfried Houdouin of Tarot de Marseille Heritage in partnership with the Historical Museum Blumenstein in Solothurn, Switzerland. Reynaud and Houdouin have dedicated themselves to preserving the iconographic and cultural legacy of historical Tarot de Marseille decks, producing museum-quality facsimiles with utmost respect for the original editions. Each deck in this limited run is hand-numbered, emphasizing the care and authenticity of the reproduction.

For Collectors, Historians, and Practitioners The Tarot by François Heri is particularly suited to:

• Collectors of historical Tarot de Marseille editions
• Researchers studying the evolution and regional variations of 18th-century tarot
• Practitioners seeking an authentic historical deck for traditional cartomantic work
• Anyone interested in Swiss contributions to European card-making traditions