War Cards: A Prolusion.

First and limited edition, number 193 of 250 copies. A most attractive book, giving a history of those decks of playing cards "produced to commemorate wars and battles, or to glorify the martial heroes of the moment. it is curious that no attempt seems to have been made to list or describe them as a group" (p. 1). The author, Melbert B. Cary, Jr (1892-1941), was also the founder of the quirkily named Woolly Whale Press and himself an avid collector of playing cards. Here he gives a history of "war cards" from the late 17th century through the First World War to the rise of Hitler. Square octavo. Pretty coloured title page vignette, illustrated throughout with collotype reproductions of war cards. Original dark red quarter roan, gilt-lettered spine divided by paired gilt fillets and decorated with playing card emblems, medium grey cloth sides, top edge gilt. Slight chip at head of spine. An excellent copy.