Tarot of Brass and Steam: a Steampunk Deck

The Tarot of Brass and Steam is a 78-card tarot deck that immerses readers in a richly imagined steampunk world. Conceived by Ed Matuskey, the deck explores a reality where the technological visions of figures like Edison and Tesla have expanded to influence every facet of global society, resulting in a landscape filled with intricate clockwork mechanisms, steam-powered contraptions, and a distinctive Victorian-era aesthetic fused with advanced machinery. The campaign successfully raised over $10,000 from 225 backers in 2015, indicating a strong interest in its unique thematic approach.

The deck's imagery is a collaborative effort, with artists Alex Boca and Brooke Clayton contributing to the illustrations. This collaboration ensures a consistent visual style across the Major and Minor Arcana, depicting characters and scenes that integrate human figures with elaborate mechanical elements. The campaign updates frequently highlighted new card art, such as the Wheel of Fortune and various Queens, showcasing the ongoing development and artistic vision behind the project. The focus on detailed, character-driven scenes suggests a deck that aims to be both visually engaging and symbolically rich for tarot readings.

While specific details about the card stock or dimensions are not explicitly mentioned in the campaign story, the emphasis on the artwork and the successful funding suggest a commitment to producing a high-quality product. The deck is designed for those who appreciate the steampunk genre and are looking for a tarot experience that blends traditional symbolism with a fantastical, mechanically-driven aesthetic. The narrative of a world shaped by steam and clockwork provides a unique lens through which to interpret the universal themes of the tarot.

This deck is ideal for tarot enthusiasts and collectors who have a strong affinity for the steampunk genre, industrial fantasy, or alternative history themes. It will appeal to readers who appreciate detailed, character-driven artwork and a rich, immersive world-building experience within their tarot practice. It is also suitable for those looking for a deck that offers a fresh, mechanically-inspired interpretation of traditional tarot archetypes, moving beyond conventional fantasy or nature themes.

Ed Matuskey conceived the Tarot of Brass and Steam, bringing together artists Alex Boca and Brooke Clayton to illustrate his vision. The project launched on Kickstarter in 2015, successfully raising over $10,000. Matuskey actively engaged with backers through updates, sharing progress on new card art and the overall development of the deck, which aimed to create a tarot experience rooted in a world where steampunk technology had become a global phenomenon.