Tarot Card Deck based on 1940's WPA Posters Major and Minor

The Tarot Card Deck based on 1940's WPA Posters is a 78-card tarot deck that recontextualizes the Major and Minor Arcana through the distinctive visual language of the American Works Progress Administration (WPA) era. Created by Bobby Alexander, the deck draws upon the rich artistic output of the 1930s and 1940s, utilizing public domain posters that reflect themes of labor, social issues, and national identity prevalent during that period. This approach offers a unique historical lens through which to engage with tarot symbolism.

The deck's imagery is directly sourced from WPA posters, which means the art styles vary from Art Deco to more modern graphic designs of the era. This creates a diverse visual experience across the cards, while still maintaining a cohesive historical aesthetic. The campaign highlights the beauty and artistic merit of these historical posters, aiming to bring them to a new audience through the medium of tarot. The project successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2019, indicating an interest in this niche historical and artistic fusion.

Each card features a specific WPA poster or a detail from one, with the tarot card name and number clearly displayed on a banner at the bottom. This design choice ensures that while the artwork is historical, its application to the tarot system is explicit and easy to follow. The deck serves as both a functional divination tool and a collectible art object, appealing to those with an appreciation for American history, vintage graphic design, and the intersection of art and social commentary.

This deck is ideal for tarot readers with a strong interest in American history, particularly the 1930s and 1940s, and those who appreciate vintage graphic design, Art Deco, and WPA-era art. It will appeal to collectors looking for a unique, themed deck that offers a historical and cultural commentary alongside traditional tarot meanings. Readers who enjoy decks that reinterpret classic archetypes through a specific historical or artistic lens will find this deck engaging.

Bobby Alexander created this tarot deck as a tribute to the artistic legacy of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) posters from the 1930s and 1940s. His inspiration stemmed from the beauty and historical significance of these public domain artworks, which he sought to reintroduce to a contemporary audience through the framework of tarot. The project was launched on Kickstarter in 2019, successfully bringing this unique fusion of historical art and divination to life.