"Facts and Speculations on the Origin and History of Playing Cards" famous 1848 Book in color on CDROM This book is one of the major works on the history and design of playing cards. Written by William Andrew Chatto (1799-1864) and published by John Russell Smith, London in 1848. Price: $9.99 (Shipping is Free) Click to Add this CDROM to Shopping Cart (You can always remove it later)

This book has been reprinted for $69 list price but is out of print (Chatto, W. A. Facts and Speculations on the Origin and History of Playing Cards. Saint Clair Shores, MI: ISBN: 0403073774, Scholarly Press, 1977). Now you can own the eBook of an original rare and valuable 1848 copy of this important book on cards. These are the cards now used in playing everything from poker to bridge, from blackjack to solitaire. The book is an interesting and detailed ramble through the subject. The scholarship is serious and reflects extensive research. The book starts with a section on the possible origins of cards, moves into a long section on the early history of cards in Europe, runs through many details on the cards themselves, and finishes with a discussion of the history of moralizing about cards. The book was published much earlier than Catherine Hargrave's History of Playing Cards, and has more detail in many respects than Hargrave's, and doesn't spend all the time on the modern history of cards that she does. Chatto is mainly interested in the ancient history of cards, and examines it very well in this book. (Thanks to Justin du Coeur for the description) CD-R is both Mac and Windows compatible. Includes convenient and complete thumbnail index of all pages, and ability to magnify and examine fine details. Unique gift!! FREE SHIPPING TO USA and CANADA. We ship internationally (worldwide) at actual shipping cost. 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. To order this CDROM, use PAYPAL Buttons above, or send $9.99 Check or Money order made out to "eBookCDROM" together with your shipping address to: Cards 1848 CDROM 4521 Barrington Drive Springfield, IL 62707 _______________________ Example from the book: "Some of the specimens of Portuguese cards given in the "Jeux de Cartes Tarots et de Cartes NumŽrales' have very much the appearance of having been originally suggested by, if not copied from, an Oriental type; more especially in the suits of Danari and Bastoni, -Money and Clubs. In those cards the circular figure, generally understood as representing Danari, or Money, is certainly much more like the Chakra, or quoit of Vichnou [Vishnu], as seen in Hindostanee drawings, than a piece of coin; while on the top of the Club there is a diamond proper, which is another of the attributes of the same deity." Also worthy of note are the Rosicrucian and Masonic emblems appearing on various mediaeval decks. As the secrets of these organizations were often concealed in cryptic engravings, it is very probable that the enigmatic diagrams upon various decks of cards were used both to conceal and to perpetuate the political and philosophical arcana of these orders. The frontispiece of Mr. Chatto's book shows a knave of hearts bearing a shield emblazoned with a crowned Rosicrucian rose. To enlarge a thumbnail, click on it -------------------------------------------------------------- To Return to the Main eBookCDROM Catalog page, click here: ebookcdrom.com Copyright 2001 ebookcdrom.com. All Rights Reserved.