Mankind’s passion for card games and fortune-telling has not waned for many centuries, perhaps this is what makes researchers turn again and again to studying the history of such a mysterious and fascinating subject. It is known that to determine phenomena that defy understanding, people resorted to witchcraft. Modern gambling is a relic of just such witchcraft rituals. Katherine Perry Hargrave spoke about the origin, distribution and incredible variety of cards and card games around the world. She presented fortune telling, playing cards, as well as a series of cards designed to instill interest in history, geography, heraldry, military affairs, music, and many others. The author paid special attention to artists, craftsmen and businesses involved in the production and sale of cards. The book reproduces copies of rare card series.