SINGER, Samuel Weller. Researches into the History of Playing Cards; with illustrations of the origin of printing and engraving on wood, London: T. Bensley for Robert Triphook, 1816. 4° (270 x 205mm). Half title and engraved frontispiece, title printed in red and black, 18 engraved plates, 8 hand-coloured, illustrations. (Some plates lightly spotted.) 19th-century red morocco gilt, spine with 2 morocco lettering-pieces, pastedowns with large morocco gilt border, gilt edges (spine lightly faded, rubbed). FIRST EDITION, ONE OF 250 COPIES. Singer's "valuable and interesting work" (Lowndes 2405) soon became the leading authority on this subject. The illustrations include a facsimile of a complete pack of early German playing cards.