TURF CARDS AND TEMPERANCE OR REMINISCENCES IN A CHECKERED LIFE: CONTAINING THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF J.R. TALBOT, TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ALL LOADING MEN WITH WHOM, PERSONALLY, THIS SPORTING MAN, POLITICIAN AND LECTURER HAS COME IN CONTACT.

Talbot, J.R.:

Published by Bristol, R.I.: The Eastern Publishing Company, [1882].

About this Item

134pp., printed in double columns. Small quarto. Original black cloth, stamped in gilt and blind. Cloth a bit faded and rubbed. Front hinge weak, first three leaves beginning to loosen, scattered light foxing. Very good. The peculiar third-person autobiography of a habitual gambler and self-styled "sporting man" turned temperance orator from Bristol, Rhode Island. The author relates the events of his life to date in florid and effusively self-congratulatory fashion, including his schooling at Philips Exeter, his start with sports betting in New York, traveling to New Orleans and playing faro in a Pullman car, and every other type of betting imaginable up and down the Mississippi. Much of the action takes place in Louisiana and New Orleans, with descriptions of a Mardi Gras ball, cockfighting, billiards parlors, card games, and more. Talbot describes being struck with the temperance spirit after losing his fortune and listening to Dr. Reynolds speak in Illinois; he would travel across the country as an orator for the cause. Although naturally his convictions were as pure as could be, he describes also the "wives of distinguished men - magnificent women - who clung to his arm with an affection which, to impure men, would appear sensual, but, to students of human nature, ennobling." Quite uncommon in the trade.

Seller Inventory # 57232

Bibliographic Details

• Title: TURF CARDS AND TEMPERANCE OR REMINISCENCES IN A CHECKERED LIFE: CONTAINING THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF J.R. TALBOT, TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ALL LOADING MEN WITH WHOM, PERSONALLY, THIS SPORTING MAN, POLITICIAN AND LECTURER HAS COME IN CONTACT.
• Publisher: Bristol, R.I.: The Eastern Publishing Company, [1882].