The earliest mention of playing cards occurs in Italy in 1377, and by the 1420s there were city injunctions and numerous sermons against card games. St. Bernard of Sienna delivered fiery sermon in 1423, attributing the invention of cards, dice, and other games of chance to the devil. Our manuscript, known as the Vanderbilt-Steele Manuscript, contains the earliest known reference to a new type of card “game” more dangerous, according to the anonymous monastic who penned it, than any playing cards. Tarot, he says is a new satanic religion and must be avoided. In the course of the sermon, however, he lists all the trumps and describes how Tarot cards are used for divination. This is an extremely important manuscript. Along with this sermon “On gaming,” the large Sammelband includes numerous other sermons on such topics as original sin and the stigmata. The manuscript itself is in good condition, but it is in need of a high quality box to preserve and protect it.
Adopted by Tom Leaky and Daniel De Simone.
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