THE
BRITISH
TAROT ARCHIVE

Beeston, Nottinghamshire, UK

The UK’s home for tarot history, art, and culture.

The British Tarot Archive is a research organization dedicated to finding and preserving tarot cards from all over the world. While we are based in the UK, our collection is international, covering everything from historic antique decks to today’s independent releases.Our mission is to ensure these decks aren't lost to time. We document how tarot is made, how it's used, and the unique stories of the people who owned them. We are currently building a digital archive to protect these items for future generations.

The High Priestess tarot card from the Rider Waite Smith deck, depicting a seated veiled woman in blue robes between a black pillar marked B and a white pillar marked J. She wears a lunar crown, holds a scroll labelled TORA, and sits before a veil patterne

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The Ace of Pentacles tarot card from the Rider Waite Smith deck, showing a disembodied hand emerging from a cloud holding a large gold pentacle. Below is a lush garden landscape with flowering plants, a hedge, and a path leading through an arched gateway t

Collection

Independent Decks
We are a sanctuary for modern, self-published tarot decks. Many of these beautiful works are printed in small numbers and can easily disappear. We archive them so their artistry is remembered.Decks of Note
We look for decks with a story. This includes cards owned by significant historical figures or those that played a unique role in art or occult history.The Paper Trail
A tarot deck is more than just 78 cards. We also collect the "extra" material: original guidebooks, letters from the artists, and early sketches that show how a deck was created.

ACCESS

The British Tarot Archive is currently a "work in progress" as we carefully photograph and catalog our new acquisitions.The Digital Library
We are building an online catalogue that will eventually be open to the public. Researchers, artists, and fans will be able to browse high-quality images of our British and international collections and study the history of each deck.Online Talks
To bring the collection to life, we will host a series of online talks.Get Involved
We are always looking to grow our collection. If you are an independent creator, a collector, or have a deck with a unique history that you believe belongs in a national archive, we would love to hear from you.To donate a deck or inquire about our upcoming talks, please contact the Curator.

Wheel of Fortune tarot card from the Rider Waite Smith deck, showing a large orange wheel marked with alchemical symbols and Hebrew letters, surrounded by clouds. A blue sphinx holding a sword sits atop the wheel, while a red Anubis figure rises on the rig

Contact

The British Tarot Archive is a living project, and we welcome engagement from collectors, artists, researchers, and the curious. Whether you wish to stay informed on our progress or have a specific inquiry regarding our holdings, please use the form below.

Thank you

We will be in touch.