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foreword to the online edition
preface
I. introductory
II. common sharpers and their tricks
III. marked cards and the manner of their employment
IV. reflectors
V. holdouts
VI. manipulation
VII. collusion and conspiracy
VIII. the game of faro
IX. prepared cards
X. dice
XI. high ball poker
XII. roulette and allied games
XIII. sporting houses
XIV. sharps and flats
postscript
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SHARPS AND FLATS
CHAPTER XIII
SPORTING HOUSES
The terms "sporting houses" or "sporting emporiums" have nothing do do with athletics; as Maskelyne explains, those were just the official terms for what we now call crooked gambling supply houses. These were mail order businesses that flourished during the era when Maskelyne wrote his book, and continued to flourish throughout the first half of the 20th century. In the US, these businesses were forced to go underground in 1961 and some continued to do business into the 21st century. In recent years other crooked gambling manufacturers and distributors started to do business, especially after the booming popularity of poker, in particular Texas Hold'em. But of course, Maskelyne had never heard of Texas Hold'em...
The most famous crooked gambling distributor of the 19th century was the San Francisco bassed company Will & Finck. In the 20th century names like the KC Card Co, Hunt & Co, HC Evans & Co... etc, were the main crooked gambling distributors in the United States.
Some crooked gambling gaffs from these infamous distributors can be found in the Virtual Museum of Crooked Gambling at CARDSHARK Online. In the Online Store you can also find downloads of the original crooked gambling catalogs, called Blue Books.
WE now come to a consideration of the so-called 'sporting-houses,' otherwise, the firms who supply sharps with the appliances and tools of their craft. These places are many, and, as a rule, prosperous. Their dealings in 'advantage goods,' as these things are called by the fraternity, are of course 'under the rose,' and the real nature of their business is covered by the fact that they are supposed to be dealers in honest commodities of various kinds. Some of these people keep 'emporiums' for the ostensible sale of genuine gambling appliances, such as faro-tables, billiard-tables, dice, cards, &c. Others will run businesses which are far removed from anything in the nature of gambling. The cheating business is, of course, kept in the background, although no great secret would appear to be made of it; the inference being, one may suppose, that it is not criminal to sell these things, although it is undoubtedly so to use them.
Until quite recently it was no uncommon thing to find advertisements in certain of the American newspapers, to some such effect as 'Holdouts and other Sporting Tools. Apply to Messrs. So-and-So,' giving the name and address. An advertisement of this kind would, of course, be simply Greek to the majority, although the sharps would understand its meaning readily enough. Upon applying to the advertiser, a sharp would receive a voluminous price list, setting forth the manifold beauties and advantages of the wares at his disposal, and showing conclusively that no other dealer had things so good to sell, and that the advertising firm was the most fair dealing and conscientious in the world, if their own account of themselves might be trusted.
The first specimen of these literary and artistic productions to which we shall refer is a very exhaustive affair; so much so, in fact, that space will not allow it to be reprinted in its entirety. Besides cheating appliances it quotes all kinds of genuine gambling tools, which are of no importance to us in our present inquiry. Such parts, then, as have no reference to cheating have been excised, to avoid crowding these pages with unnecessary matter. The reader who has conscientiously followed, and taken pains to understand the explanations contained in previous chapters, will have no difficulty in arriving at a very fair notion of the various items given, and the significance of much that, otherwise, would possess no meaning for him. This catalogue is issued by a firm in San Francisco.
Maskelyne does not reveal the name of the crooked gambling supplier whose catalog he partially reprinted in his book. He just calls it "a firm in San Francisco," however, the firm in question is in fact the infamous Will & Finck. Maskelyne also clipped many illustrations of various crooked gambling gaffs, straight from the Will & Finck catalog, and used them in his book, without crediting the source. However, Sharps and Flats is not the only book that borrower illustrations from Will & Finck catalogs.
Antique crooked gambling gaffs, from Will & Finck and other crooked gambling distributors have become quite desirable items amongst collectors of gambling paraphernalia -- faro equipment especially. Items frequently pop up on eBay, but one has to be careful because there is no shortage of fakes.
FARO TOOLS
DEALING-BOXES, plated ................................. $10 00
square, heavy German silver ........................ 16 00
" " " " " " " " " " " " " " plated ................. 20 00
plated, sand tell .................................. 15 00
heavy German silver, sand tell ..................... 20 00
" " " " " " " " plated, sand tell .................. 25 00
side lever, heavy plated ........................... 50 00
square, size-up .................................... 60 00
end squeeze, plain ................................. 75 00
" " " " " " and lock up ........................... 100 00
" " " " " " plain, to squeeze top and bottom ....... 85 00
" " " " " " lock-up, to squeeze top and bottom .... 100 00
balance top, plain ................................. 75 00
" " " " " " to lock up ............................ 100 00
end squeeze, lock-up and size-up .................. 125 00
" " " " " " " " " " " " " " needle ................ 125 00
latest style combination box, to work in four
different ways, size-up, end squeeze, and
needle, to lock up to a square box ............. 175 00
shuffling board with needle ........................ 12 50
needle for table .................................... 2 50
very latest combination box to work in five
different ways, size-up, sand tell, end squeeze,
and needle, lock-up to a square box ............ 200 00
In ordering, state exactly the kind of top that is desired also, if the box is to have bars inside or to be without bars.
Our boxes are made with a view to simplicity, durability and finish, are guaranteed to work perfectly, and pronounced by experts to be the best in the United States.
Boxes of any style made to order and repaired.
We are constantly making improvements in this line.
Lever boxes altered into end squeeze.
TRIMMING SHEARS, metal block .......................... $40 00
metal block, to cut, size-up, and the odd ........... 50 00
latest improved, with extra set screw ............... 65 00
LEVER PATTERN, metal block ............................. 40 00
to cut, size-up, and the odd ........................ 50 00
latest improved, with extra set screw ............... 65 00
metal block, small size, suitable for traveling ..... 35 00
" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " to cut,
size-up, and the odd ............................ 45 00
latest improved, to cut, size-up, and the odd,
with extra set screw, and attachment,
to hold monte cards while trimming .............. 75 00
In ordering shears or lever-pattern trimmers, state what kind and style you want.
TRIMMING PLATES (new style), our own design, to
cut any size card, rounds or straights. A knife,
razor, or any other sharp instrument can be used .... $7 50
CUTTER, for cutting round corners on cards (something new),
our own invention ................................ 20 00
for the odd only .................................... 20 00
Trimming shears sharpened and squared equal to new at short notice.
You can do more and better work with our shears and trimmers than any other manufactured in the United States. They are made of the very best materials, and under our personal supervision. The cutting parts are made of the finest steel, and forged by hand, making them all that could be desired.
SHUFFLING BOARDS, very thin iron, broadcloth cover ..... $3 00
for the odd ......................................... 15 00
FARO DEALING CARDS, best quality, either squared
or unsquared, per dozen .......................... 15 00
per deck ............................................. 1 25
best quality, cut for size-up ........................ 1 75
cut in any form, either wedges, rounds, and
straights, end strippers, or any other kind,
ready for use, per deck ........................... 2 50
In ordering cards cut, always send a king or ace that fits your box, or if your box is numbered, send the number, and state particularly how you want them done.
Cash is required with all orders for trimmed cards.
HIGH-BALL LAYOUTS, 3 by 4 feet ......................... $6 00
Other sizes and styles painted to order.
HIGH BALLS, walrus ivory, each ............................ 20
boxwood ................................................ 10
HIGH-BALL BOTTLES, leather, two in set, one
square, $2 50, one holdout $7 50 ................. 10 00
CLUBROOM FURNITURE
FARO TABLES ................................ $75 00 to $100 00
POKER TABLES, our own invention ....................... 250 00
DICE TABLES, electric, complete, our invention ........ 150 00
POKER and DICE TABLE combined ......................... 350 00
GRAND HAZARD DICE TABLE, electric, complete,
our own invention ............................... 175 00
ELECTRIC DICE, 1/2 inch, each ........................... 2 50
IVORY DICE TOP, to throw high or low as required,
and one square to match ........................... 7 00
IVORY DICE, 1/2 inch, round or square corners, each ....... 25
9/16 inch, round corners, each ...................... 35
5/8 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " ..................... 45
3/4 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " ..................... 80
IVORY DICE, 7/8 inch, round corners, each ............... 1 25
1 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " ............... 2 00
Horse for crap game, 1/2 inch, per pair ................ 50
for top and bottom and 3 fair ........................ 1 00
3 high, 3 low, and 3 fair loaded (Eastern), per set .. 6 00
loaded, our own manufacture, 1/2 inch, each .......... 2 50
" " " " " " " " " " " " " " "5/8 " " " " " " ......... 2 75
" " " " " " " " " " " " " " "3/4 or 7/8 inch, each ... 3 00
In ordering dice, please state which side you want to come up; also state if you want a square set to match. All kinds of ivory dice made to order.
BONE DICE, per dozen .............................. 25c. to 50c.
DICE BOXES, leather .............................. 25c. and 50c.
smooth inside ....................................... $1 00
KENO OUTFITS
KENO, consisting of globe and stand, 100 cards,
pegging boards, 100 pegs, ball board,
90 walrus balls and buttons, very fine .......... $70 00
with boxwood balls, very fine ....................... 60 00
with walrus globes, plain globe ..................... 50 00
with boxwood balls, plain globe ..................... 40 00
INDICATORS, for registering cards sold ................. 10 00
PULL-UP PEG BOARD, for 100 cards ....................... 20 00
KENO CARDS, 9 rows, 5 in a row, 100 cards .............. 15 00
KENO GLOBE, for holding out extra balls ................ 65 00
SHORT GAMES
VEST HOLDOUT, our own pattern ......................... $25 00
SLEEVE HOLDOUT .............. $25 00, 30 00, 50 00, and 150 00
TABLE HOLDOUT, to work with the knee ................... 15 00
THE BUG, to hold out extra cards from the table ......... 1 00
TABLE REFLECTOR ......................................... 5 00
REFLECTOR, in seven half-dollars ........................ 7 50
" " " " " " in one half-dollar .......................... 2 50
" " " " " " in one dollar ............................... 3 50
" " " " " " in pipe ..................................... 5 00
" " " " " " to work on any ring ......................... 2 00
" " " " " " to fasten to greenbacks ..................... 2 00
" " " " " " plain ....................................... 1 50
" " " " " " attached to machine, can be brought
to palm of hand at will .................... 25 00
DUMMIES, to imitate a stack of twenties, used to
show in bankers' or money-brokers' windows,
to represent $100 ................................ $2 75
to represent $200 ................................. 3 25
" " " " " " "$300 ................................. 3 75
" " " " " " "$400 ................................. 4 00
" " " " " " "$500 ................................. 5 00
NAIL PRICKS, each ......................................... 50
ACID FLUID, for shading cards, 3 colors, very
fine and entirely new, complete with directions,
per set, 6 bottles ................................ 5 00
single bottle, any color ............................. 1 00
MARKED CARDS
Per dozen .............................................. 10 00
Per deck ................................................ 1 00
Glazed backs, round corners, per dozen ................. 14 00
" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " deck .................. 1 25
By mail, 5 cents per deck extra.
STRIPPERS, cut to order for any short game, per dozen ... 7 00
cut to order for any short game, per deck .............. 75
By mail, 5 cents per deck extra.
In ordering these cards, state what kind of card preferred, and be particular to give full directions -- just what you want them for, and what cards you want stripped. |
The next catalogue to which we refer hails from the State of New York, and is that from which extracts have been made during the progress of this book. It is particularly amusing, and deserves careful perusal on that account.
THE LATEST SLEEVE HOLDOUT
The finest machine in this country. All late improvements, better made than some machines that are sold for $300. A better machine than the Kepplinger, of San Francisco, holdout. Made of fine and light pen steel, and works as well in shirt sleeves as with a coat on. The machine is fastened in a double shirt sleeve. The cards go in between the wristband and cuff. The wristband and cuff closes up when the cards are in, and anyone may look up your sleeve to your elbow and cannot see anything wrong. The holdout is worked by spreading your knees. The string runs through steel tubing that has capped pulley wheel joints. The string cannot bind or catch, and will work smoothly, easy, and noiselessly, every time alike. Give length of arm and size of shirt worn when ordering. Price, $100. Will send one C.O.D. $75, with privilege to examine, on receipt of $25.
KEPPLINGER VEST, OR COAT MACHINE
New, never before advertised. Made on same principle as the sleeve holdout, and works by spreading knees. String goes through adjustable tubing. Vest closes up tight when cards are in, and looks to be all buttoned up tight. Works equally well in coat. (This is almost a nickle-in-slot machine, and I will guarantee perfect satisfaction to anyone that wants a first-class vest or coat holdout.) Sent in vest all ready to put on and work. Price 75. Will send one C.O.D. $60, privilege to examine and try in express office, on receipt of $15.
STUD POKER HOLDOUT
Very light and compact, works under any ordinary cuff. Cards come out to palm of hand and go back out of sight. Works automatically by resting arm on edge of table. Also a good machine to cap the deck with. Price $30. Sent C.O.D. $20, privilege to examine, on receipt of $15.
ARM PRESSURE VEST MACHINE
This machine weighs about three ounces, and is used half way down the vest, where it comes natural to hold your hands and cards. The work is done with one hand and the lower part of the same arm. You press against a small lever with the arm (an easy pressure of three-quarters of an inch throws out the cards back of a few others held in your left hand), and you can reach over to your checks or do anything else with the right hand while working the holdout. The motions are all natural, and do not cause suspicion. The machine is held in place by a web belt; you don't have to sew anything fast, but when you get ready to play you can put on the machine, and when through can remove it in half a minute. There are no plates, no strings to pull on, and no springs that are liable to break or get out of order. This machine is worth fifty of the old style vest plates for practical use, and you will say the same after seeing one. Price $15. Will send one C.O.D. $10, with privilege to examine, on receipt of $5. Will send one by registered mail on receipt of price, with the understanding that you may return it in exchange for other goods if not perfectly satisfactory.
ARM PRESSURE SLEEVE MACHINE
Same price and style as the arm pressure vest machine. (This holdout is the lightest and smoothest working arm pressure sleeve holdout made.)
TEN DOLLAR SLEEVE HOLDOUT
Light and compact, can be put on or taken off in two minutes, works by raising and lowering your arm. A good machine for small games. Sent by registered mail on receipt of the price.
AUTOMATIC TABLE HOLDOUT
Lightest made, fastens by patent steel claw. Can be put under a table and taken off instantly, as there are no screws or anything to fasten permanently. Works by knee, and brings the card up on top of the table. Price $20. Sent C.O.D., privilege to examine, on receipt of $5.
Notice. I can make this holdout or my stud poker holdout, either one, to work a fine reflector for reading the cards, at same price.
TO SMART POKER PLAYERS
I have invented a process by which a man is sure of winning if he can introduce his own cards. The cards are not trimmed or marked in any way, shape, or manner. They can be handled and shuffled by all at the board, and, without looking at a card, you can, by making two or three shuffles or ripping them in, oblige the dealer to give three of a kind to any one playing, or the same advantage can be taken on your own deal. This is a big thing for any game. In euchre you can hold the joker every time, or the cards most wanted in any game. The process is very hard to detect, as the cards look perfectly natural, and it is something card-players are not looking for. Other dealers have been selling sanded cards, or cheap cards with spermaceti rubbed on, and calling them professional playing or magnetic cards. I don't want you to class my cards with that kind of trash. I use a liquid preparation put on with rollers on all cards made: this dries on the cards and does not show, and will last as long as the cards do. The object is to make certain cards, not prepared, slip off easier than others in shuffling. You can part or break the deck to an ace or king, and easily 'put up threes,' no matter where they lay in the deck. This fine advantage works fine single handed, or when the left hand man shuffles and offers the cards to be cut. These cards are ten times better than readers or strippers, and they get the money faster. Price $2 per pack by mail, $20 per dozen packs. If you order a dozen, I will furnish cards like you use.
CUFF HOLDOUT
Weighs two ounces, and is a neat invention to top the deck, to help a partner, or hold out a card playing stud poker; also good to play the half stock in seven up. This holdout works in the shirt sleeve, and holds the cards in the same place as a cuff pocket. There is no part of the holdout in sight at any time. A man that has worked a pocket will appreciate this invention. Price, by registered mail, $10.
RING HOLDOUT
Fits under any ring worn on third finger. A fine thing to top the deck. You can hold as many cards as you wish in your hand, and no one will mistrust you, as your fingers will be at perfect liberty, and it is not necessary to keep them together as you have to do when palming. Price, by registered mail, $3.
TABLE HOLDOUT
Very small and light. It can be put under and removed from any table in less than half a minute. Works easily from either knee. It will bring three or more cards up into your hand, and take back the discards as you hold your cards and hands in a natural position on top of the table. It is the best table holdout made. Price, by registered mail, $10. Will send one C.O.D., with privilege to examine, on receipt of $3.
THE BUG
A little instrument, easily carried in your vest pocket, that can be used at a moment's notice to hold out one or more cards in any game. Simple, yet safe and sure. Price 50 cents.
NEW MARKING INK
For line or scroll work. Any one can apply it with a fine steel pen or camel's hair brush. This ink dries quickly and does not require any rubbing. Will guarantee it to be the best ink made. Price $3 per bottle. Two bottles, red and blue, $5. Best shading colors, $2 per bottle.
REFLECTOR
Fastens by pressing steel spurs into under side of table. A fine glass comes to the edge of table to read the cards as you deal them off. You can set the glass at any angle or turn it back out of sight in an instant. Price $4.
MARKED CARDS
First quality cards, hand marked, $1 50 per pack, $14 per dozen. First quality cards, shaded plain or fine, $11 per dozen. I can mark any style card you use if ordered by the dozen packs. Strippers cut just as you want them. Price $1 per pack.
LOADED DICE
Made of selected ivory loaded with quicksilver, and can be shaken from the box so as to come high or low, as you wish. With a set of these you will find yourself winner at all dice games, and carry off the prize at every raffle you attend. Sold in sets of 9 dice, 3 high, 3 low, and 3 fair. Price, per set complete, $5.
DICE TOPS
For high and low. Sure thing. Made of best ivory, Black walnut, just as good, $1 25.
Eagle claw, to hold out cards in shirt sleeve. Price 5.
Knee holdout, to hold out cards from edge of table Price $2 50.
Prong, improved, to use as cuff pocket. Price $4.
New method of marking cards like scratch work. This work leaves a white line or mark on the card that cannot be shaded. Price of material, tools, and full directions, $10. This is the kind of work good men have been trying to gel for some time.
NOTICE
It will pay any man that plays cards to come and see mj work. I will meet you at Chatham, New York, and will pay all expenses if I don't show you the best goods made. If you want any reference regarding my standing, write to -- Bros., merchants, or any business firm of this town. They don't recommend advantage goods, but they will tell you that I am good for all I advertise to do. If you want to get a holdout or anything in the sporting line that you have ever seen used or advertised, write to me about them and see how my prices compare with others. I know all about every kind of advantage ever advertised, and am getting new ones every day, but only advertise those I know to be practical. If you send me an order, no matter how large or small, I shall try to give you the worth of your money, so that you will send again. I am the only manufacturer of holdouts in this country. I am the only man who makes the holdouts he advertises for sale himself. I will bet $500, -- to hold the money and decide the bet, that no other dealer advertising advantage goods can make a sleeve or vest machine themselves as good as either of mine. If you play cards it will pay you to come here and see my machines work. I will pay all expenses if I cannot show you the best holdouts made. Send money by registered letter, postal note, or money order on Chatham, New York. Send all orders to --. |
The educated man who does not smile at the bombast and 'Yankee-brag' contained in the above, surely cannot have his risible faculties developed in any degree whatever.
The next catalogue we shall notice comes from New York City itself, and is couched in the following terms:
OUR LATEST MARKED BACK PLAYING CARDS
Round corners, big squeezers, first quality linen stock, warranted. Price, per pack, $1 25; six packs, $7; one dozen packs, $12.
TO CARD PLAYERS
These cards are by far the finest-marked cards ever printed, and are fully equal in every way, quality of stock, print, and finish of both back and face, to any first quality square card made.
This fills the long-felt want among the sporting fraternity, and it is the best offer ever made to club-rooms and private parties. They are new, and never before this season been placed on the market.
They are especially adapted for fine work, and great care has been given to the marking of both size and suit, and it is almost an impossibility to find the marks and earn the combination without the key and complete printed instructions which we send with every pack; but when learned they are as easily read from the back as from the face.
Nos. 1, 2, and 5 are marked in all four corners alike, & as to be readily played by either right or left-hand players and are marked on an entirely different principle than old style stamped cards.
Attention is requested to our 'Montana,' No. 3, and to our 'Star,' No. 4. We furnish them in the colors mentioned and used in all games throughout the entire country. Order the cards by the numbers directly over them. Price, per pack, $1 25; six packs, $7; one dozen packs, $12.
We can furnish square cards to exactly duplicate Nos. I, 2, and 5, at $3 per dozen, by express.
Strippers of all these cards, for poker and all games, furnished with either fair or marked backs. For prices and particulars see our circulars. Address all orders to -- |
The following is a hand-bill issued by the same firm as the last, and specially addressed--
TO FARO DEALERS
We handle, and keep constantly in stock, all the latest and best combination boxes, both end squeeze, top balance, lever and side movement, etc., etc., but we make a specialty of our own boxes, and recommend them to any one needing a good reliable box, that can be depended on at all times. These boxes are simple, durable, and by far the best boxes ever placed on the market. We make them up perfectly plain, without bars, have the bottom movement (entirely new), and they can be locked to a dead square box by a table movement which cannot be detected. We make our boxes up to lock by three combinations, and we guarantee them in every way.
End squeeze, three combinations ................. $100 to $125
" " " " " " " without bottom movement .................... 100
Top Balance, bottom movement, three combinations ......... 100
Needle or 'spur tell' for the odd, bottom movement ........ 65
" " " " " " " " " " " without bottom movement ............. 50
We also make an end squeeze that no one can tell from a square box, as the end of box is immovable, the metal of the end being thinner than rest of box, being able to spring or give as it is pressed, and doing the work. This is one of the finest boxes ever made. Price $100.
We also make plain tell boxes, without bars, which can be charged [query 'changed'] from a square to a tell box in an instant without the possibility of detection, and we will guarantee that no one can find the combination. (Do not confound these with the ordinary lock-up sand tell box.)
Our boxes are perfect in every particular, and will do the work. The cards for these boxes are specially prepared by a machine which takes the place of sand and all kinds of preparation. They are by far superior to any cards sanded or prepared by hand. Our manner of preparing cards for these boxes is by having the twelve paint cards prepared, so by playing in the high card the money is won without creating suspicion, by being always actually on the card with the work on.
Price ................................................... $25
With six packs prepared cards ............................ 35 |
These are the instructions sent out with the fluids used for marking cards. The spelling must not be criticized. It is similar to that of the original:
Please note, the spelling was further fixed in this online version of the book.
'DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING AND USING OUR COLORS.
'Take the color that comes nearest to the color of the card you want to use it on, put a few drops in an empty bottle, and dilute with Alcohol until you get a Shade as near like the Card as possible. To avoid spilling, as sometimes happens in trying to pour or drop, the dye may be lifted out of the bottles with the brush, by repeatedly dipping the brush into them, and then wiping the brush on the mouth of the empty Bottle. It is better to put the Alcohol into the empty bottle first, then when you lift the dye out on the brush you can dip the brush right in the Alcohol, and tell better when you have the right shade. As you mix the colors, try them on a surface like that on which you may intend to use them, in this way any shade may be obtained. Always bear in mind that the Colors show deeper when moist, (as is the case when they are first put on), and become fainter as they dry, and when dry if they are too light, go over them again. Evenness is more apt to be obtained by using a little lighter shade of color after the first application.
'A little care and practice will enable any one to handle these colors satisfactorily.
'In marking you can pick out any number of figures from four to six, having them as near the upper left hand corner as convenient, a Flower which has 5 leaves is best, or the right number of figures in a circle.
'Shade all the figures except No. 1, leaving it light, or natural for the Ace, No. 2 light for King, No. 3 light for Queen, No. 4 for Jack, No. 5 for 10 spot, 1 & 2 light for 9 spot, 2 and 3 for 8, 3 and 4 for 7, 4 and 5 for 6, 5 and 1 for 5, 2 and 5 for 4, 2 and 4 for 3, and 3 and 5 for 2. In doing very nice work we shade the entire back of the card except the figure which denotes the size and suit.
'For suit pick out two figures near those you use for size, and have both dark for Clubs, and both light or natural for Diamonds, have one of them dark for Spades; and the other dark for Hearts. With six figures the combination runs similar to the five figures which we have explained, and a four figure runs the same down to the seven spot. After a little practice you will see many ways of marking your cards.
'The Dyes we use are the Diamond Package Dyes, and can be had of most any Druggist. Make the Dyes according to Directions on the package, using only one half the quantity of water directed, and strain through a cloth, if there is any sediment in the dye after adding the Alcohol strain it again as it is necessary to have it as clear as possible. Do not try to use the dyes without the Alcohol, or it will be a failure, as it is the Alcohol which causes the Dye to strike into the card. Always keep the bottles well corked when 'not using them. Brushes and bottles should be kept clean, land if the brushes are washed in water, they must be thoroughly dried before using, as water will blister smooth, calendered [sic] surfaces. Never let your brush get dry when using, but dip it occasionally, care being taken not to have too much on the brush, and use immediately, if the alcohol evaporates from the dye it makes a much different color.' |
The foregoing price-lists, &c., as may be expected, are all printed. It is not always, however, that the dealer in 'advantages' goes to the expense of print in connection with the documents he issues; he sometimes uses the cyclostyle or mimeograph, particularly in the case of directions for use accompanying the various articles in which he deals. When, in this way, he has no longer the friendly aid of the compositor or the printer's reader, his vagaries of grammar and construction are revealed in all their primitive innocence. To commence one of his sentences is like embarking upon an unknown sea, or following a half-beaten track through a desert. Onward the course runs, apparently for ever, and no man can tell when the end is coming, or what it is likely to be. Pelion is piled upon Ossa, and Parnassus is over all.
A few days ago two or three of these documents were sent to be copied out in type, so as to be somewhat legible for the printer; and, as an evidence of their singularly explicit nature, it may be mentioned that the typist was under the impression that they were all parts of one document, and copied out the whole as one, without break from beginning to end. Such a thing, of course, was quite excusable under the circumstances, as the reader may judge from the following example of how not to do it. The entire manuscript consists of one sentence only, so far as punctuation is concerned, and is supposed to contain directions for the use of the prepared cards mentioned upon pp. 223-227. It runs to this effect:
| 'Directions. -- When you part the pack to shuffle press down a trifle and the cards will part to an Ace (the Ace will be on top of the lower part) put that part with the Ace on top and part again to another Ace now shuffle in all but the four top cards, part the cards again to the third Ace and shuffle in all but the top four cards, then put three cards on top of the last Ace (this puts up three Aces with three cards between them and three on top and is for a four handed game) if one more or less than four are playing shuffle in one more or less cards, (always have as many cards between and on top of the Aces as there are players excluding yourself) when the left hand man deals and offers the cards to you to cut you can shuffle them up in the same way (but you must put "one less" card on top of the three Aces to get the Aces yourself)' |
Presumably this is the end of the 'instructions,' as there is no more matter to follow; but one cannot be surprised that an unhappy typist, endeavoring to make sense of it, should follow straight on to the next, under the impression that the general effect of disjointedness thus produced was part and parcel of the whole occult scheme.
The directions sent out with the 'Jacob's Ladder' vest machine are very similar in character to the last. There is, however, one 'full-stop' in this case, probably the one which the typist was looking for. This is the manner in which the dealer instructs the purchaser in the use of his machine:
'DIRECTIONS FOR VEST MACHINE
'Fasten the Belt around your waist so that the Machine will come on left side far enough from the edge of Vest to let the cards go back out of sight. Pin the under lap of Vest on the edge to the belt opposite the third or middle button, if you are a large man or if you want the mouth of the M- to come out farther, turn down the screw on front part of Lever, to hold out 3 cards place them back of a few others held in left hand with a break or opening between them on the lower ends, press against the lever with the lower part of arm and as the mouth of the M- comes out to the edge of Vest put the cards in (let your little finger come against the lower side of the mouth) this will be a guide and you can put the cards in without looking down, (a good way is to reach over to your checks or to "put up" with right hand while working the Machine) less than a 1/2-in. pressure will throw out the cards' |
The instances above quoted will be sufficient to give the reader a fair notion of the barefaced manner in which these nefarious dealings are carried on. There is no beating about the bush in any instance; no hiding away of the real intent with which the goods are supplied. They are not called cheating-tools in so many words, but no attempt is made to smother up the actual nature of the articles. The dealer does not say 'Special Cards,' or 'Comical Cards,' or anything of the kind. He puts the matter plainly before his customers, and says, 'Our Latest Marked Back Playing Cards!' There is no mistaking his meaning; he is proud of it, and likes to let the world know the kind of things he has to sell.
'And where are the police all the while?' you ask. Echo answers 'Where?' and that is the only reply which is forthcoming. They must know of these places where the implements of robbery are made and sold; yet, as a rule, they appear to take no notice of what is going on. Now and again, in those places where the regulations are particularly strict, they have a spasmodic burst of activity; and then the dealers lie low for awhile, until all is quiet again. Occasionally it may happen that some dealer, whose advertisements have become too flagrantly palpable, is pounced upon and compelled to desist; but even when such a person is obliged to close his business altogether, he simply migrates to the next State, and supplies his former customers through the medium of the Post Office. Very little hardship is entailed upon him, as those who deal with him are necessarily scattered far and wide in various parts of the world, and the stock is not very difficult to remove.
The 'Express Offices' in America must surely know all about this kind of traffic, since they allow the swindling machinery to be tried in their depots. The C.O.D. system is ample evidence of their connivance.
In sending marked cards through the post, a whole pack is seldom dispatched in one parcel. As a rule they are sent a few at a time. This proceeding avoids the payment of duty upon them, effecting a considerable saving sometimes. Other articles are described as sample parts of machinery, and duty is paid upon them in accordance with their value.
The system upon which the business of these firms is conducted shows that not only have they sound commercial instincts, but also that they know their customers particularly well, and have had experience of the class of people with whom they have to deal. They are prepared to send their goods on approval at any time, but on condition that they receive a certain amount of cash with the order, or at any rate the equivalent of cash, and a guarantee of payment of the balance on delivery. The fact is, they take good care to let no article go out of their hands until they have been paid a little more than it is really worth; and, therefore, if the sharp who purchases it should prove so forgetful of his obligations as to neglect payment of the remainder, the dealer still makes a profit. As one firm states upon the cover of its price-list, We will not deviate from the above terms -- and they don't. Cash on delivery is what they require, or, as it is usually abbreviated, 'C.O.D.' There is a good deal of C.O.D. about these transactions, in more ways than one.
In spite of their supposed 'cuteness' one often finds that sharps are as apt to be inveigled into the purchase of worthless articles by means of bogus advertisements as any of their dupes. In certain of the American papers the following advertisement was at one time often seen:
'Electric cards, as used by professional gamblers. $1,00, &c. Apply--.'
On sending his money to the dealer, the sharp would receive a common pack of cards, with the same instructions as those sent out with the varnished cards which slip at the aces (p. 304). A separate slip was enclosed, however, which informed him that these cards would only retain their electricity for twenty-four hours. He was, therefore, advised to buy a battery wherewith to recharge (?) them; for the sum of $30.00. When he had made this additional purchase, he found what a little knowledge of electricity would have told him at first, that he had been 'had on toast.' Honor among thieves, again!
Among the dealers in 'advantages' there are some humorists. One man who kept an 'emporium' for the sale of these things in New York City, but who was moved into an adjoining State by the police, used to have his envelopes embellished by the semblance of a bull dog, and the motto 'We still live.' Not bad, is it?
The price lists issued by this same individual were in the form of pamphlets, and contained very exaggerated descriptions of his apparatus and the results produced thereby. Interspersed with the more prosaic details of his wares, one found now and again wise saws or proverbs, altered to suit the tastes of his patrons. Some of the choicest of these 'modern instances' ran as follows:
'A bug is far above rubies.'
'A holdout in the vest is more use than snide jewelry in the pocket.'
'Get proper tools and use them with discretion, and you will win and last.'
And so on. This kind of thing exhibits the lighter and brighter side of the sharp's nature with much vividness.
The reader may have noticed, at the end of one of the price-lists, that the dealer is able to give references as to his trustworthiness to respectable firms 'who don't recommend advantage goods.' This will not be a matter for surprise when it is understood that the man is supposed to be an honest tradesman carrying on a reputable business. In all probability his referees would have no idea as to the sort of person to whose bona fides they are attesting. On the other hand, of course, they may know all about it, in which case they are manifestly no better than the man they are recommending. Still, even in that event, the reference is quite good enough for the sort of people who are likely to be buyers of swindling apparatus. The author has a few dollars' worth of this kind of thing; so perhaps the reader may be inclined to observe that 'Dwellers in glass houses,' &c. However, that's another matter. This book would never have been forthcoming if the author had any objection to a few pounds finding their way into the pockets of those who don't deserve them. The end must justify.
The fact that these people should be allowed to carry on their trade in the way they do is nothing short of a standing disgrace to America and a satire
upon civilization. All men have an admiration for America, though some may only half express it. Let her only be true to herself, true to
her traditions, and true to her origin; let her deal firmly with those who mar her fair fame; let her learn to cherish that which
is best and brightest among her children, and she will one day become the glory of the world but that day is not yet.
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