Publisher's Synopsis
A book which traces the history of playing cards back to their origin. That the earliest known cards used either for prophesying or for playing were connected with the ancient worship of Mercury is the point which the author seeks to establish. She has made a careful study of the card collections of many museums and the cards of many countries and brings together a vast amount of card lore. She divides cards into three classes: those used for divining purposes; cards with educational uses: and cards used for amusement and gambling. One chapter is devoted to Chess and other games, and one to Fortune telling through cards.
