Lot 1244
1244
GAMES/TOYS -- HADIN. Histoire du jeu de cartes du grenadier Richard, ou explication du jeu de cinquante-deux cartes, en forme de livre de prières, (…). Par., L.-A. Pitou, 1811. (4), viii, 228 pp. W. fold. engr. front. Cont. hcf. extra w. raised bands & red label.
Grenadier Richard had committed the sacrilege of taking out a card game in place of his missal during a Mass of his regiment. This conduct earned him 3 months in jail. But at his trial he explained how the card game served him as a mnemonic to learn the liturgy, each of the 52 cards corresponding to a Sunday of the year. The best reasons could not excuse a sacrilegious conduct, his sentence was confirmed but on his release from prison he was promoted to second lieutenant.€ 180
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