Publisher's Synopsis
Playing cards were always surrounded by mystery. Most people always saw them as a game; the Church condemned them; but they were also used as a didactic element for children.
Playing cards underwent many transformations. Initially they were composed of four suits, then, in the 15th century, in Italy, a fifth series was added, the trionfi or Tarot trumps. Throughout Europe, different nations and cities adopted them, transforming them as they wished.
In France, the tarots reigned for several centuries, but were later simplified, to make the game simpler, by removing the trionfi, which eventually gave rise to poker cards.
In Spain and Italy, the four suits of playing cards retained the look of the four suits of the Tarot, although some cards were discarded.
Romain Merlin recounts the vicissitudes of playing cards over the centuries and across nations. Throughout the text he shows us the abundant variations of the cards, illustrating his narration with 73 pages of figures, showing different decks of European and Asian cards.
