Antique Playing Cards, A Pictorial Treasury, by Henry Rene D' Allemagne. 91 Pages. Softbound. In pre-Renaissance Europe, only the wealthy could afford them. The Puritans called them the "devil's picture book". Whatever they were, decks of playing cards have been used for gambling, recreation, fortune-telling and other activities for hundreds of years. This book is a pictorial treasure of the splendid images used on cards between the 14th and early 20th centuries. This rare French history of playing cards features nearly 600 images in black and white and 325 in color which depict: death, dancing dogs, players cheating at cards, coats of arms, king, queen and other face cards, hunting scenes, and more. Eye-catching, humorous, slyly satiric, these illustrations offer a compelling look at the historic and decorative aspects of playing cards that will be enjoyed by all. $19.95 (BK-1153)