Playing card collection, 1400-1900

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Playing card collection, 1400-1900



Box 1 Bound volume containing 68 playing cards from the 15th and 16th centuries (Italian, German, and French), 68 cards

A set of 43 cards: deuces through 9's, Queens and Kings of Hearts, Bells, Leaves and Acorns, the Knave of Leaves and the Aces of Leaves and Hearts. Woodcuts printed together on one sheet, mounted as two leaves, the missing Knaves and Aces cut out. Decorated with eleven people, "The marks of the suits on the earliest cards (German) are hearts, "bells, leaves and acorns." -Encyclopaedia Britannica.

A set of 12 cards: 4's through 9's, of Swords and Chalices, Woodcuts printed together on part of a sheet, shoving the edge of six cards of the Money suit."... Next in antiquity to the marks mentioned are the swords, batons, cups and money. These are the most common on Italian cards of the late 15th century." - Encyclopaedia Britannica.

A set of 3 cards: 3, 4, 5 of Bells, decorated with birds. Woodcuts printed together on a slip.

A set of 9 cards: 1, 2, 3 of Hearts, 6 through 10 and Knave (?) of Acorns, all in duplicate. Woodcuts printed on six slips, three cards per slip, each set probably from one sheet,

A single card, the Knave of Swords, possibly French, 16th century. Woodcut, retouched in places with grey wash.


Box 1 19th century playing card box


Box 1 1 deck of French playing cards, circa 1850, 52 cards


Box 1 1 deck of English, Regency playing cards, 52 cards and an extra card, circa 1818


Box 1 1 deck of American playing cards, manufactured in New York by Samuel Hart & Co., circa 1850, 52 cards


Box 1 LES CARTES A JOUER ET LA CARTOMANCIE/ par Paul Boiteau. --Paris: Librairie de L. Hachette et Cie., 1854