The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library is pleased to announce the launch of a new component of it extensive catalog: a database for searching descriptions of playing cards in the collection built by Melbert B. Cary, Jr., and Mary Flagler Cary.

The Cary Collection contains more than 2600 packs, 460 sheets, and 150 wood blocks for printing cards. Presented to Yale as a bequest in 1967, the collection features decks of cards from around the world and a number of early items, such as partial decks of 15th century Italian tarot cards. Prominent in the collection are cards documenting historical events, famous figures, human follies and triumphs.

A more detailed description of the Cary Collection may be found on the Beinecke Library's website.

The database was created using records from A catalogue of the Cary Collection of Playing Cards in the Yale University Library by William B. Keller. (New Haven: Yale University Library, 1981). The original essays in these volumes, which describe the history of the collection along with cataloging methods and descriptive elements, are available as part of the database. Cards may be searched using a number of criteria, including Maker, Title, Country of Origin, and Process. All records are also searchable using keywords.

The database is designed to serve as a primary descriptive discovery tool for the Cary Collection. As time allows, scans of representative cards will be added, creating an image collection. Images of 5000 cards may already be found in the database.

For more information, please contact:

Timothy Young
Associate Curator of Modern Books and Manuscripts
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
timothy.young@yale.edu

© 2005 Yale University Library
Page Last Updated: 11/24/2009
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