"A LADY WALLED ABOUT WITH DIAMONDS—LOOK YOU WHAT I HAVE"

(SHAKESPEARE) BALLARD, Martha C. Shakespeare on Poker. (Denver: Ballard, 1906). Oblong octavo, cord-bound as issued, original oversized pictorial brown paper wrappers. $750.

First edition of this work relating 12 illustrated poker hands to Shakespeare quotes.

To create this turn of the century novelty book, the author, Martha Ballard, chief of Land Division in the office of the US Surveyor-General's office at Denver, painstakingly matched Shakespeare quotes, rendered calligraphically, with illustrations of the poker hands best described by them. The overall result is somewhere between art book and gift book—a wonderful addition to any poker enthusiast's collection. Powell 457. Holden 10.

Interior fine, a bit of wear to spine, only lightest wear to fragile wrappers. A near-fine copy.