The Laws and Etiquette of Cinch; Compiled and Edited by The Chicago Cinch Club
Chicago: The Chicago Cinch Club, 1890. First edition. Hardcover. 12mo. [5], 6-35, [1] pp. Dull maroon cloth with gold lettering on the front board; textblock decoratively stained red. Title page printed in black and red ink. Bicycle [Cards], "Cinch". Jessel and Horr 266. OCLC shows five holdings as of 9/2/20. Played with four players in partnerships, cinch was an extraordinarily popular game of the "All Fours" family, until it was displaced by Auction Bridge and Contract Bridge. This handbook lays out 40 rules for the game, followed by rules for a variation, called "Razzle-Dazzle Cinch", in which five or six players are competing. The little volume ends with a brief discussion of the etiquette of cinch, including rules for by-standing observers. A charming piece of local history, focused on midwestern entertainment and leisure during the turn of the century. Very Good. Item #00009319
A Very Good or better copy with a name on the front flyleaf and two tiny spots on the fore-edge, in which the decorative staining is rubbed away.
Price: $400.00