The Albano-Waite Tarot represents a fascinating chapter in tarot history where Frankie Albano transformed Pamela Colman Smith’s iconic artwork with vibrant, psychedelic colors that defined the late 1960s aesthetic.
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Historical Context Originally published in 1968, this deck went out of print within just a few years. However, sufficient demand from collectors and readers prompted U.S. Games Systems to create a facsimile reissue in 1991, where it has remained a beloved staple for tarot enthusiasts ever since.
Color Enhancement Philosophy Albano’s approach involved “pumping up” Smith’s original artwork with bright, vivid colors – lots of purples and greens that help readers focus on details they might have otherwise missed in traditional versions. This color enhancement serves both aesthetic and practical purposes.
Color-Coded Minor Arcana System One of the deck’s most distinctive features is the color-coded backgrounds for the Minor Arcana suits:
- Cups: Light blue-green backgrounds
- Wands: Orange backgrounds
- Pentacles: Lime green backgrounds
- Swords: Yellow backgrounds
This system makes suit identification immediate and intuitive.
Appeal and Audience This vivid deck particularly appeals to those nostalgic for the psychedelic sixties era or readers who appreciate the “wow” factor of bold, saturated colors while maintaining the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith structure and symbolism.
📽️ Video Chapters:
- 00:00 – Introduction: Albano-Waite Tarot Overview
- 00:33 – Guidebook Review & Deck Details
- 01:20 – Major Arcana with Card Hints & Insights
- 08:40 – Minor Arcana Color-Coded Suits
- 19:19 – Minor Arcana Court Cards Analysis
- 24:21 – Final Thoughts
The Albano-Waite successfully bridges traditional tarot wisdom with 1960s artistic sensibility, creating a reading tool that’s both functionally effective and visually striking.