Plate 1.

THE
DEVIL’S PICTURE-BOOKS

A History of Playing-Cards

BY

MRS. JOHN KING VAN RENSSELAER
AUTHOR OF CROCHET LACE, ETC.

ILLUSTRATED

NEW YORK
DODD, MEAD, AND COMPANY
PUBLISHERS

Copyright, 1890
By Dodd, Mead, and Company

All rights reserved

University Press
John Wilson and Son, Cambridge

The “Devil’s Books” was the name bestowedupon Playing-cards by the Puritans andother pious souls who were probably in hopesthat this name would alarm timid persons andso prevent their use. Whether or not his SatanicMajesty originated Playing-cards, we haveno means of discovering; but it is more probablethat he only inspired their invention, and placedthem in the hands of mankind, who have eagerlyadopted this simple means of amusing themselves,and have used it according to the good or evilwhich predominated in their own breasts. Manylearned men have written books or treatises onPlaying-cards, and I am indebted for a large partof the information contained in this history to“Les Cartes à Jouer,” by M. Paul la Croix;“Facts and Speculations about Playing-cards,” byMr. Chatto; “The History of Playing-cards,” bythe Rev. Edward Taylor; and “The History ofPlaying-cards,” by Mr. Singer.

[Pg iv]

These books are now out of print, and somewhatdifficult to obtain; and I hope, by bringinginto a small compass the principal features setforth in them, I shall be able to place before anumber of readers interesting facts that would beotherwise unobtainable.

Hearty thanks are due to the custodians of theNational Museum in Washington, who have aidedme in every way in their power, and also to themany kind friends who have sought far and widefor unique and uncommon packs of cards, andhelped materially by gathering facts relating tothem for me.

That many nations have cards peculiar to theirown country and almost unknown beyond its boundariesmay be a matter of surprise to some; thatsuch ordinary and familiar objects as Playing-cardsshould have a history, will astonish others. Myhope is that the subject will interest my readersas it has done me. Any facts concerning Playing-cardsor any communications relating to rare orcurious packs will be gladly received by the author,who would like to add to her collection.

M. K. VAN RENSSELAER.

New York, 1890.