Tilley, Roger: A History of Playing Cards ©1973 Estate of Roger Tilley; Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., Publisher, NY Hardcover, 192 pages ISBN: 0-517-50381-6

Image courtesy eBay seller Slacks!

Comments: Not a magic book, but knowing some history of playing cards can be useful for your card trick patter

Contents (Chapters, from book ToC):

7 Chapter 1 Origins Of Playing Cards
18 Chapter 2 The Renaissance And The First Appearance Of Playing Cards In Europe
22 Chapter 3 The Tarot
49 Chapter 4 Early Italian Packs
52 Chapter 5 The Spread Of The New Influence
57 Chapter 6 Germany And The Great Leap Forward
66 Chapter 7 Development Of The French Pack
72 Chapter 8 Educational Cards In Europe
80 Chapter 9 Cards In Switzerland, Poland, Scandinavia And The Low Countries
89 Chapter 10 The Eighteenth Century
103 Chapter 11 Early Playing Cards In England
134 Chapter 12 Cards And Games In New England
141 Chapter 13 The Nineteenth Century
170 Chapter 14 The Twentieth Century
181 Appendix 1 Portuguese Playing Cards And Their Journeys (Sylvia Mann)
188 Appendix 2 Hyakunsinshu And Cucu