The St James Guide, or, the Sharper Detected:

Rare early guide to detecting cheating at card games, published anonymously in 1825. This is Part 2 of 4 proposed parts though only 3 were ever published. This example is found in its original printed yellow wrappers which have been sewn into protective hard covers in the twentieth century. Stab sewing holes close to the gutter. The wrappers are discoloured; a stain with a small hole in the centre of the upper wrapper, the stain registering through a couple of leaves below. Early ownership inscription of ‘Joseph Russell’ to the recto of the first plate, ‘Plate 4’. The 4 hand-coloured plates are printed in blue. Plate 5 with a small paper repair outside the plate mark close to the gutter at the top of the page. Pagination runs from p35-90; darkening to final leaves.

The book reveals the methods used to cheat the unwary at popular gambling games, from playing cards, to billiards, dice and backgammon. In the introduction to Part 1, the author explains that he wanted to write the book after what happened in London in 1822 when William Weare was killed by assailants convinced that he had been cheating while play cards. This volumes deals with the Close-Box, Despatches, Loaded and Uneven Dice and various fair and unfair version of games. The book is rare being found, mostly incomplete, at BL x2, CUL; COPAC adds Edinburgh and Part I at Oxford. No examples at auction.