Laws and Practice of the Game of Euchre and of Draw Poker, as Adopted by the Washington, D.C, Euchre Club.
Philadelphia: T.B. Peterson & Brothers, 1877. Hardcover. 'No sedentary game is more popular, or so generally played for amusement in domestic circles, throughout the wide spread "eminent demense" [sic] of the United States, as Euchre - the Queen of all card-games; and but few, we regret to say it, possess less printed authoritative references for consultation. Hence difficulties, doubts, difference of opinion, and local customs of play, exercise an irksome influence even among skillful players, and solely for the want of some proper compendium of the laws and of the correct practice of the game. To supply this deficiency, in a humble way, the ensuing pages, sanctioned by "very noble and approved good masters," are tenderly tendered.' Jessel 1181 (Bibliography of Works in English on Playing Cards and Gambling, 1905). The author appears as 'A Professor, one of the oldest and most noted Euchre players in the United States,and a member of the Washington Euchre Club.' An expansion of Meehan's earlier 1862 'Laws and Practice', appending ten pages of rules for draw poker to his loving account of euchre, evidence of the growing popularity of the former. The author is most likely Charles Henry Wharton Meehan, son of John Silva Meehan, the fourth Librarian of Congress. John Meehan hired his son as an assistant, and Charles Meehan eventually became the custodian of the Law Library, remaining in the role (despite the practice of each President appointing their own followers) until his death in 1872. Brown covers, with the title stamped in gilt on the front and blind stamped on the back cover, with blind stamped decorative border on each. Damage to the lower third of the front cover. Minor wear to corners and edges of the spine. Dark brown endpapers, beginning to crack at the hinges. [18-20], 21-144 pages. 12 x 18 cm. Good. Item #2022-M312
Price: $250.00