Researches Into the History Of Playing Cards; With Illustrations Of The Origin of Printing And Engraving On Wood
London: By T. Bensley And Son For Robert Triphook, 1816. First edition. leather_bound. [XVI], 373 [3] pages. 27 x 22 cm. Limited edition, one of 250 copies. Eleven engraved, and eight color woodcuts, woodcuts within the text, some on india paper, plus two additional hand colored plates titled, "Origine des Cartes A Jourer," illustrating and describing the four face cards and the ten: the Kings noted as Alexandre, David, Cesar and Charlemagne: clubs, spades, diamonds and hearts respectively & "Notice Historique et rasionnee des Noms donnes aux Cartes," the latter plate highlighted in gold. Errata slip. Index. BIGMORE & WYMAN II, p. 362. "Only 150 copies printed......It is a thoroughly good book, Section ii. being of especial interest to the lover of early typography." Minor toning and offsetting, mostly marginal to non color illustrations, elegant binding: covers paneled with gilt rule, surrounding a single interlocking frame and lozenge, gilt floral corner pieces, interior dentelles, marbled endpapers, spine with raised bands, panels richly gilt, extremities rubbed. Contemporary full straight grained black morocco. Aeg. Very good. Item #20366
Price: $4,550.00