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an old book with writing on it sitting on top of a tablean old book with a black and white image of a man on a horsean old book with a brown cover sitting on top of a white table
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955 - [Games – Playing Cards]. A collection of edicts, declaration…
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Estimate €1,400 - €1,500
Sale commission
Description
[Games – Playing Cards]. A collection of edicts, declarations, judgements and other documents concerning the regulation of the law on playing cards. Paris, Royal Printing Office, 1771. 34 documents in one volume, in-4, 7 pp. (title page and list of documents), followed by mixed pagination, and finally 7 pp. of table of contents; marbled fawn sheepskin, decorated ribbed spine, title page, red edges (contemporary binding). Numerous water stains. A very rare and important collection which brings together, under a single title and fictitious tables, documents reprinted in 1770 or 1771 by the Royal Printing Office, retaining their original headings and pagination. They are arranged in chronological order of promulgation and document the evolution of taxation on playing cards, the invention of which dates back to an edict by Henry III: indeed, it was on 22 May 1583 that the French sovereign, exasperated by the disturbances caused by card and dice players, decreed: “The King establishes a duty of one Parisian sol for each pair of cards, creates an official mould and prescribes, for the packaging of the decks, the manufacture of covers for which the card-makers must pay”. Over the centuries, decrees, laws and edicts followed one another to regulate the world of playing cards. Always with the same aim: to levy a tax. On 14 January 1605, the production of playing cards was restricted; on 30 June 1607, card makers were required to use the envelopes supplied by the Régie; on 9 November 1751, cardmakers were obliged to use paper bearing the Régie’s mark. All these developments can be found in the documents in this collection (a detailed list of documents is available on request).
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About the sale MONTIGNAC – 31st BOOK SALE – Day 2 of 4 – Nos. 550 to 1084
Auction location
Auction time 08/20/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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