Marrin's Bookshop

Synopsis

By 'cavendish.'

Item Description

Small 8vo. 6.5 x 4.25 inches. 55 + [1] + [4] pp. publisher's advertisements. Title page in red and black with decorative border. Bound in red cloth with blind stamped borders enclosing gilt title with decorative surround. Patterned endpapers. All edges gilt. A little sunning of spine, wear to corners and light foxing of flyleaves and title page otherwise a very good copy. Armourial bookplate, 'E libris Roberti Comitis de Crewe' on front paste down, and his signature on second free endpaper. Early ink margin note on poker odds, p.35. The book concentrates on the descriptions and rules of Loo, Vingt-Et-Un and Poker, but also discusses some minor games. 'Cavendish' was the pseudonym used by Henry Jones (1831-1899). He gave up a career as a surgeon to become a full time writer on games and sports; his titles on card games including several on whist. He also contributed to The Field (founded 1853) and helped to formulate the rules of lawn tennis and badminton in the mid-1870s. Copy owned by Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes Earl of Crewe, (1858-1945), British statesman. He succeeded (1885) his father as Baron Houghton and was created earl (1895) and later Marquess (1911) of Crewe. A Liberal, he held a succession of high offices, including those of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1892-95), Colonial Secretary (1908-10), and Secretary for India (1910-15). As Liberal leader in the House of Lords from 1908 he played an important role in securing passage of the Parliament Act of 1911, which deprived the Lords of its veto. He was later ambassador to France (1922-28).