Green, J[onathan] H[arrington] | Cardsharping and tricks

Green, J[onathan] H[arrington]

Gamblers' tricks with cards, exposed and explained. New York: Dick and Fitzgerald [?1860 or later]

12mo (175 x 114 mm). Copyright on title-page verso dated 1859, 7 wood-engraved text illustrations, heading above title reads "One Hundred Tricks with Cards," 3 pages of publisher's advertisements in front and 46 pages of advertisements at the end. Publisher's paper boards (pictorial front cover comprising a border of arrayed playing cards and advertisements on rear cover), puce cloth spine, one leaf each of advertisements laid down as front and rear pastedowns; upper label rubbed with minor losses, spine faded and stained.

In this work, Green offers intelligence on games such as Dog Loo, Whist, Thimbles (or cups), and Poker and on techniques such as palming, lapping, forcing cards, shuffling, cutting, dealing, stocking the pack, and cogging dice. In addition, he also discusses horse racing, and nailing a card to a wall by pistol shot. Ironically while exposing the tricks of the trade, Green provides a tutorial for aspiring gamblers, cheats, and grifters.

Toole Stott provides an incorrect publication date of 1850—William Brisbane Dick and Lawrence R. Fitzgerald did not establish their publishing firm on 18 Ann Street until 1858. Given the extensive catalogue of Dick & Fitzgerald's publications at the end, this must have been a later issue of the work.

REFERENCE:

Toole Stott 324 (dated 1850)