Tarot Egyptiens (1875) - Anima Antiqua

Tarot of Princesses (Jeu de la Princesse Tarot) – Limited Edition

The Tarot of Princesses, also known as the Jeu de la Princesse Tarot, is one of the most refined and historically significant decks derived from the traditions of Etteilla, the influential 18th-century French occultist whose theories shaped early European tarot interpretation. Combining French artistic sensibilities with classical and pseudo-Egyptian motifs, the deck reflects the symbolic language and divinatory system developed by Etteilla and his followers.

This limited, numbered edition from Lo Scarabeo’s Anima Antiqua (Ancient Soul) series has been reproduced with exceptional care from surviving originals held in major collections of rare tarot decks. The result is a faithful and high-quality presentation of an important 19th-century esoteric tarot.

Historical Development

The origins of this deck trace to 1843, when artist Lorambert, writing under the pseudonym Johannes Trismegiste, published the first version in collaboration with Jules Laisne. It accompanied the work L'Art de tirer les cartes (“The Art of Reading the Cards”), a manual presenting what were considered the most reliable methods of divination at the time. The deck was reprinted unchanged in 1850.

A revised edition appeared in 1864 under the title Jeu de la Princesse Tarot. While the illustrations remained consistent, several titles and inscriptions—particularly on the trumps and court cards—were altered to adopt an Egyptian tone, reflecting the era’s belief in tarot’s ancient, Hermetic origins. Later production continued under the publisher Wattillaux (1874–1908).

The present Lo Scarabeo edition restores the historical character of the earlier decks with high-resolution scanning and meticulous printing.

Symbolism & Structure

The deck consists of 78 consecutively numbered cards, following Etteilla’s system that treated tarot as pages of a symbolic “ancient book.” Each card features:

·       A central image framed by a wide border

·       The card title and upright divinatory meaning printed at the bottom

·       A reversed (inverted) line of text at the top describing the reversed meaning

Although many titles evoke Egyptian themes, the imagery itself incorporates a broader range of sources, including Genesis, Hermetic cosmology, and the creation narratives of The Divine Pymander. As a result, the iconography reflects 19th-century occult synthesis rather than historically accurate Egyptian art.

Production Quality

·       Card count: 78

·       Size: approx. 3 × 4 × 2 inches (boxed)

·       Cardstock: Premium stock selected to showcase the fine detail of the original prints

·       Packaging: Boxed deck with a sturdy, top-opening lid

·       Edition: Limited to 2,999 numbered copies

·       Included: 78-card deck and multilingual booklet with essential information

For Collectors, Historians, and Students of Esoteric Tarot

The Tarot of Princesses will appeal to:

·       Collectors of 19th-century occult and Etteilla-derived decks

·       Researchers studying the evolution of French cartomancy and Hermetic symbolism

·       Readers interested in historically significant divinatory systems

·       Enthusiasts of Lo Scarabeo’s Anima Antiqua reproductions

As a faithful presentation of a rare and influential esoteric tarot, this edition offers valuable insight into the development of divinatory practice in 19th-century France and remains an important addition to any serious tarot collection.