Catalogue Number: 03603

RRP: AU$9.00         Weight in grams:416 See Ordering Information.

The Education of A Poker Player

Herbert O. Yardley

First UK Edition London: Jonathan Cape, 1959 Cloth Good/Good 8vo 

With an Introduction by Ian Fleming

Scarce in any condition.

This is the 1959 UK edition of the classic text on Poker. Yardley was a cryptologist who founded MI-8 the cryptographic organization, helped crack Japanese wartime codes, and wrote the classic book on codes, ciphers and spies "The American Black Chamber" published in 1931. This was considered "the most sensational contribution to the secret history of war" and spawned a whole genre of "tell all" books on spies. cryptography and code breaking. His high intelligence, analytical mind, love of poker and photographic mmemory combine to produce one of the enduring greats of the poker world, and certainly it's best author. He died in 1958, a year after the publication of this book in the US, but some of his writing was not declassified until 1983.

The introduction by Ian Fleming is some of his best short form writing, unusually passionate and acerbic in equal doses.

This is an acceptable copy of the book. The cover is creased with chipped corners, some browning, price clipped, and several other flaws. There are two large unruly previous owners names written on the FEP, one dated 1959. The interior has scattered foxing . The spine is firm and square.

Please examine the pics closely as there are many numerous minor flaws. This book has been well read, but carefully.

Click on any image below to expand.