The Game of Draw-Poker, Mathematically Illustrated; Being a complete treatise on the game, giving the prospective value of each hand before and after the drawer, and the true method of discarding and drawing, with a thorough analysis and insight of the game as played at the present day by gentlemen.

WINTERBLOSSOM, Henry T. (pseud.).

Published by New York: Wm. H. Murphy, 1875

About this Item

First edition of this early guide to poker, covering not only the technicalities of the game, but also the psychology: poker is "not only a selfish game, but one that every subterfuge that can be brought to bear is introduced" (p. 10). A contemporary owner has pasted in a clipping of the New York Sun's review of the book to the rear endpapers, dated 10 February 1875, and the New York Tribune's review of Robert Schenck's Rules for Playing Poker to the front endpapers, dated 8 February 1875. The close dates of review make it difficult to ascertain which work has precedence as the first American book published on poker, but this work is generally cited as such; Schenck's Rules had also been issued in a private printing in the UK in 1872 without his knowledge. The author has never been identified, but the New York Times Review of 12 February 1875 (not included) stated that he is understood to be a member of the Lotos Club, a literary club based in New York of which Mark Twain was also a member. A green and a brown cloth binding variant is also known, with the same design, likely without priority of issue; there are no distinguishing advertisements or any changes to the type between the variants. WorldCat lists ten copies in institutions. Jessel 1706. Duodecimo. Original blue cloth, front cover lettered in gilt within black border. Spine lightly sunned and a little worn at ends, faint rubbing to covers, front endpapers loosening with short closed tears, light staining to clippings. A very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 127827

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Game of Draw-Poker, Mathematically Illustrated; Being a complete treatise on the game, giving the prospective value of each hand before and after the drawer, and the true method of discarding and drawing, with a thorough analysis and insight of the game as played at the present day by gentlemen.
• Publisher: New York: Wm. H. Murphy, 1875
• Edition: 1st Edition