Colonial America
c. 1760 Copper-Plate Engraving On Making Playing Cards
c. 1760 The Making of Playing Cards, Copper Plate Engraving, Paper Making for how Playing Card decks were made during the 18th century, Crisp Extremely Fine.
Rare Copper-Plate Engraving printed around 1760. It shows the process of how Playing Card Decks were produced during the 18th century. This particular engraving is on bright clean laid period "rag" paper and measures 8.75" x 11.25". An original plate from Diderot's Encyclopedia of the Sciences, Arts & Trades which is the earliest work showing engravings of how the various trades were actually performed. This work was done in France in a few volumes between 1751 and the 1760s (each full volume would likely sell today for over $2,000.) Including a description in English from a reprint, of some of his original plates, showing what this original plate documents. Overall, in excellent crisp condition with no stains or foxing with the outer plate outline still seen embossed at right. A rare addition for serious collectors of historic Gambling related or Playing Cards.