Facts and Speculations on the Origin and History of Playing Cards

by William Andrew Chatto

"Charta mihi titulum tribuit Lusoria; lusus

Et chartæ in pretio munera vulgus habet.

Sed nec ego laudes moror aut convicia vulgi;

Sit mihi sat claris posse placere viris.

"Hos rogo, ut a rerum quondam graviore vacantes

Cura, si chartis ludere forte velint,

Colludent nostris: sine rixis, vulnere, morte,

Ludenti quoniam lucra benigna dabunt."

In this set of cards, the marks of the suits are Books; Printers' inking balls; Wine-cups, of metal "formed by the skill of the goldsmith;" and Goblets, with bosses of glass or earthenware. Correct and beautifully executed specimens of those cards are given in Singer's 'Researches,' pp. 180-96.