Playing Cards in the Victoria and Albert Museum

Over five centuries of playing cards from all over Europe are represented in this book based on the collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum. From 15th century Italian tarot cards to a "Snap" game lithographed and screenprinted by staff and students at the Royal College of Art in the mid 1970s, the range is enormous.;Many of the packs are of politico-historical interest, depicting such events as the Spanish Armada and the Titus Oates "Popish Plot" conspiracy, as well as a more contemporary pack by leading political cartoonists.;After a brief introduction, Jean Hamilton looks at the cards country by country, highlighting the most interesting items. Over 100 cards are illustrated in full colour, and a complete illustrated catalogue of the collection, featuring some 250 packs, forms the final part of the book.