The History of Playing Cards: Anecdotes for Their Use in Conjuring, Fortune Telling & Card Sharping

The History of Playing Cards offers a comprehensive look at the history and usage of cards, tracing their movements through India, China, the Middle East, and through Europe, with a heavy emphasis on cards in France and England. Taylor included a great deal of illustrations, highlighting cards from the 1500-1800s. Rev. Ed. S. Taylor had written a great deal on the history of cards, and was sought out to compose works on the subject, including History of Playing Cards, English and Foreign. He had passed away while working on this illustrative volume, The History of Playing Cards. As a result, the section on card conjuring, sharping and fortune telling is somewhat abbreviated, but no less enthralling. The Worshipful Company of Playing Card Makers, which maintains an extensive collection, is an ancient Trade Guild in the City of London, which still flourishes, with members involved in card manufacture, collection, dealing, playing and other professions.