The tarot of Marseilles deck emerged in Europe during the 15th century agitated. Although, interestingly, not in Marseille. A city that, Yes, however, deserves recognition for having saved the tarot of oblivion and decadence that fell in Europe towards the middle of this century, after his impetuous rise in Italy. Later, the Gypsy tarot feel yours that vital and colorful medieval prints harness, and become his inseparable companion. The rest is history. Tarot begins to spread in Europe from the North of Italy, in the mid-15th century. In 1499, the French invasion of Milan took tarot to the South of France.
The ambiguity regarding its marseillais origin comes from the 30 years of the 20th century, when the French historian Paul Marteau assigned that source considering that, since 1466, Marseille was the main manufacturing center of cards of all Europa.Durante the sixteenth century, tarot enters decadence in Italy, and already almost nobody cares about him. Not been for teachers postmen of Toulouse, perhaps would have lost forever. Later, when interest in tarot returned to reappear in its original birthplace, Italy, harnesses were longer, forever, Marseilles, with their typical and immediately recognizable illustrations inspired by the stained glass windows of Gothic religious art. Roma then simple and wandering, unaware of luxuries. And the tarot, until the invention of the printing press, it was: the plates were painted by hand and only the rich could access them. With the advent of the printing press, decks began to occur in series and to spread much more massively. Thus came the tarot of Marseilles to the Roma people. And thus was born a love forever.
History may not be especially romantic, but the truth is that, with its simplicity and clarity, and his cheerful colors marseillais harness was designed especially for getting along with the Roma people. Perhaps that is why until today, that new technologies put within the reach of the clairvoyants an infinite variety of mallets, the Gypsy tarot remains loyal to the French letters, in a relationship of mutual understanding, respect and affection. And it is not every day a friend able to stay faithful for more than 5 centuries.