A History of Playing Cards and a Bibliography of Cards and Gaming (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780486412368)

Most likely invented in the Far East, playing cards arrived in Europe at roughly the same time as paper money and gunpowder, and by the early eleventh century were in widespread use in France. This classic history, never superseded, not only tells the story of playing cards and their manufacture, but also provides the reader with a fascinating overview of heraldry, geography, history, and social and political activities over the past six centuries.
In addition to making extensive use of the magnificent collection of the United States Playing Card Company in Cincinnati, this volume focuses on playing cards of China, Japan, India, Europe, Russia, and America. Also included is an enormous annotated bibliography of more than 900 items on playing cards and games, and probably the largest range of card illustrations, all royalty-free, ever assembled in one place: 1,462 photographs, of which 16 are in color on the covers.


Author: Catherine Perry Hargrave
ISBN-10: 0486412369
ISBN-13: 9780486412368
Publisher: Dover Publications
Language: English
Published: 06/13/2012
Pages: 512
Format: Paperback
Weight: 4.55lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 1.10d

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 08/01/2001 pg. 74