History of Playing Cards and a Bibliography of Cards and Gaming by Catherine Perry Hargrave

by Catherine Perry Hargrave

Intricate, absorbing study based on research and card collections from around the world tells the story of playing cards and their manufacture, plus provides a fascinating overview of heraldry, geography, history, and the social and political activities of man over the past six centuries. Includes an enormous annotated bibliography of more than 900 items on playing cards and games, and over 1,400 illustrations. Praised by The New York Times as "the most authoritative and complete treatment of its kind."

Genres: History, Reference, Nonfiction, Games

Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1960

Reviews

[Douglas Summers-Stay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The early sections about the origins of playing cards in Asia were very interesting. Apparently card games may stem with a gambling game played at first with real paper money, then with fake paper money. A few other fun facts: after the revolution, France replaced its royal cards with philosophers and such. Playing cards were one of the first printed materials widely available in Europe.
The book has a lot of illustrations. Though most are poor reproductions, they make the most interesting part of the book.