The History of Playing Cards. The Magic of Fortune Telling and Cheating

"The History of Playing Cards" by Edward Samuel Taylor offers a comprehensive look at the history of playing cards. The author traces their spread through India, China, the Middle East, and Europe, paying special attention to the cards in France... and England.
By covering cards from the 16th to 19th centuries, Taylor included many illustrations in his book.
Reverend Taylor wrote extensively about the history of cards. He passed away while working on this richly illustrated book. As a result, the section dedicated to magic, cheating, and fortune telling with cards is somewhat shortened, but it remains no less fascinating.
The "Guild of Playing Card Manufacturers," this old-timer of London's City, houses an extensive collection of cards and continues to thrive, engaged in card manufacturing, collecting, selling, and popularizing games.