Vintage copy of "Hold 'Em Poker"

[Filet O' Fish]

I recently purchased a copy of "Hold 'Em Poker" at a local bookstore (I live in the Las Vegas area). The copyright is 1976 by Gambler's Book Club, ISBN 87019-021-0 with a number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 which denotes a first printing I beleive.

My question is, how many copies of this first edition were printed? I'm thinking Mr. Sklansky or Mr. Malmuth would have access to this information. I'm hoping this would give me an idea as to the rarity and value of this book if any.

As a side note, the cover of the book is nothing like the newer edition. It has a hilarious picture of David's head only. Also, there is a disclaimer printed opposite the copyright page which states:

"The information in this book is presented solely as an aid to players' enjoyment of the indicated game of chance. The publisher makes no warranty of gain or against loss on the part of players as the result of reading this information."

LOL [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[jakethebake]

Fine first editions of this book go for around $50.

[Filet O' Fish]

Thanks Jake. It looks like I made a +EV move when I purchased it for $7.00 as it's in perfect condition. I would still like to hear from anyone "in the know" as to how many copies of the first edition were printed. Also, how come the disclaimer is missing from the most recent editions? Cheers.

[Eclypse]

[ QUOTE ]
I recently purchased a copy of "Hold 'Em Poker" at a local bookstore (I live in the Las Vegas area). The copyright is 1976 by Gambler's Book Club, ISBN 87019-021-0 with a number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 which denotes a first printing I beleive.

My question is, how many copies of this first edition were printed? I'm thinking Mr. Sklansky or Mr. Malmuth would have access to this information. I'm hoping this would give me an idea as to the rarity and value of this book if any.

As a side note, the cover of the book is nothing like the newer edition. It has a hilarious picture of David's head only. Also, there is a disclaimer printed opposite the copyright page which states:

"The information in this book is presented solely as an aid to players' enjoyment of the indicated game of chance. The publisher makes no warranty of gain or against loss on the part of players as the result of reading this information."

LOL [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I have an early copy here. It is 63 pages with a stapled, folded-over spine and a cover price of $2.95. There is no numberline in the copyright info (which appears on the title page). Copyright info states "(c)1976, Gambler's Book Club/ISBN 0-911996-67-2"

I beleive my copy is a later printing because, if I remember right, the original first printing had a cover price of $2.00 (I could be wrong, though). You didn't mention the page-count or cover price on your copy, but if there is more than 63 pages, or the cover price is higher than $2.95, I would say you have a later printing for sure. If you have the $2.00 cover price, I'd say the chances are great that you have the true first.

Having a full numberline of 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 usually indicates a first printing; However, it could be the first printing of a revised edition (as a rare book dealer I'm faced with this sort of thing every day).

Sorry I couldn't give you anything more definative.

[Eclypse]

Just found a listing for a 1976 Casino Press, New York version purported to be the "scarce first printing"

So, since they're both from 1976, I guess David will have to answer where the first printing was published.

[Filet O' Fish]

Thanks Eclypse. My copy is 142 pages and does not have a cover price!? It does state New York and Casino Press. Also, it's not stapled and softcover in stiff wraps.

Since you are a rare book dealer, I thought that I would share a couple of other titles that I have had for awhile that concern poker:

1. "Mike Caro's Book Of Tells, The Body language Of Poker" Lyle Stuart NJ, stated first printing Sep. 1984 in fine condition with a near fine jacket. This book is so crisp and new, it looks unread and some pages stick together as if never opened. I recently purchased this copy for $14.95 (less than the original cover price of $20.00) at a used book store. ISBN 0-914314-04-1.

2. "The Biggest Game In Town" by A. Alvarez Houghton Mifflin Company Boston 1983, number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 in NF condition with NF jacket. I can't remember how much I paid for this one since it's been quite a while but I think I paid $40.00. ISBN 0-395-33964-2.

3. "Winning Poker" by Sklansky with Dionne Prentice Hall NJ 1983, number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. This one is in VG condition with no jacket (although I don't know if it was issued with one). I paid $22.00. ISBN 0-13-961060-X.

4. "Poker Strategy, Winning With Game Theory" by Nesmith C. Ankeny Basic Books 1981 New York. Condition is VG with VG jacket (although price clipped). I beleive this book is quite scarce and the author is dead which usually is +EV for a book's value. This one was free as I was given this as a gift. ISBN 0-465-05839-6.

I would like to eventually get Caro's and Alvarez's book both flatsigned and since I live in the Las Vegas area I shouldn't have too much of a problem tracking them down.

Anyone, please feel free to share with us any vintage poker books that you may own.

[pindawg]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks Eclypse. My copy is 142 pages and does not have a cover price!? It does state New York and Casino Press. Also, it's not stapled and softcover in stiff wraps.

Since you are a rare book dealer, I thought that I would share a couple of other titles that I have had for awhile that concern poker:

1. "Mike Caro's Book Of Tells, The Body language Of Poker" Lyle Stuart NJ, stated first printing Sep. 1984 in fine condition with a near fine jacket. This book is so crisp and new, it looks unread and some pages stick together as if never opened. I recently purchased this copy for $14.95 (less than the original cover price of $20.00) at a used book store. ISBN 0-914314-04-1.

2. "The Biggest Game In Town" by A. Alvarez Houghton Mifflin Company Boston 1983, number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 in NF condition with NF jacket. I can't remember how much I paid for this one since it's been quite a while but I think I paid $40.00. ISBN 0-395-33964-2.

3. "Winning Poker" by Sklansky with Dionne Prentice Hall NJ 1983, number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. This one is in VG condition with no jacket (although I don't know if it was issued with one). I paid $22.00. ISBN 0-13-961060-X.

4. "Poker Strategy, Winning With Game Theory" by Nesmith C. Ankeny Basic Books 1981 New York. Condition is VG with VG jacket (although price clipped). I beleive this book is quite scarce and the author is dead which usually is +EV for a book's value. This one was free as I was given this as a gift. ISBN 0-465-05839-6.

I would like to eventually get Caro's and Alvarez's book both flatsigned and since I live in the Las Vegas area I shouldn't have too much of a problem tracking them down.

Anyone, please feel free to share with us any vintage poker books that you may own.

[/ QUOTE ]

#1. ~ $75

#2 - ~ $40

#3 - ~?

#4 - This is the best of the bunch ~$150-$200 with price clipped in vg condition

[CarlNiclas]

I bought a 1957 hard cover edition of Yardley's "The Education of a Poker Player" last year (Simon and Schuster, New York) when on vacation in Monterey, California. It is a seventh printing, though, with slightly creased dust covers, but it was only $12 so it was actually a lot cheaper than a new printing from Amazon... [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[David Sklansky]

The very first edition had 3000 copies printed and cost 2.00.The second edition had 5000 copies printed and also cost 2.00. The third edition had a run of at least 10,000 copies and cost 2.95

There is a BIG difference between the first and second edition that is instantly apparent (and I would imagine serve to increase the value of the very few of them in existence). The title HOLDEM POKER was in dark yellow and thus not vey discernible on the yellow background. They fixed that in the second editon where the title is black.

I have seen or heard only one copy of a first editon in someone elses hands (actually The Gambler's Bookstore bought it off him) and it was only in fair condition. Meanwhile I have two first editons in PERFECT MINT condition. Because the book was flimsy (so few now exist and those that do are not in good condition), it has stood the test of time, and the first editon was so distinguishable, I'm sure those two brand new specimens are worth quite a bit. I doubt anyone would meet my asking price.

[Filet O' Fish]

Wow. Thanks David. Very interesting. From your description, I can immediately tell you that my copy is not of the first run as the title lettering is in black.

As to finding a buyer for one of your copies, try ebay. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]