Bailey, Robert | A notorious gambler, reformed

Bailey, Robert

The Life and Adventures of Robert Bailey, from His Infancy up to December, 1821. Richmond: Printed for the author by J. & G. Cochran, 1822

8vo (216 x 127 mm). Frontispiece portrait and 3 engraved plates; plates browned, strong browning, spotting and foxing, particularly in the first two-thirds of text; Contemporary tree calf, smooth gilt-ruled spine, red morocco lettering piece; lacks front free endpaper, rear endpapers browned and stained, extremities rubbed.

First edition. "Autiobiography of an engaging scoundrel. A Southern prototype of Stephen Burroughs" (Howes). On pages 138–140, Bailey describes his 1812 patent on the faro dealing box. As a reformed gambler, Bailey claimed his box could help stop the rampant cheating prevalent in the game of faro, but the card sharps of the day found ways to rework the device into one of the most nefarious tools for cheating at the game.

REFERENCE:

Howes B34; Sabin 2748

PROVENANCE:

Gordon W. Jones, M.D., Falmouth, Virginia (ticket on front pastedown)