Background
MASKELYNE, John Nevil was born on December 22, 1839 in Cheltenham. Son of John Nevil and Harriett Maskelyno of Cheltenham.
(An excerpt from the Author’s Preface: IN presenting the...)
An excerpt from the Author’s Preface: IN presenting the following pages to the public, I have had in view a very serious purpose. Here and there may be found a few words spoken in jest; but throughout my aim has been particularly earnest. This book, in fact, tends to point a moral, and present a problem. The moral is obvious, the problem is ethical; which is, perhaps, only another way of saying something different. In the realm of Ethics, the two men who exert, probably, the greatest influence upon the mass of humanity are the philosopher and the politician. Yet, strange to say, there would appear to be little that can be considered as common knowledge in either politics or philosophy. Every politician and every philosopher holds opinions which are diametrically opposed to those of some other politician or philosopher; and there never yet existed, apparently, either politician or philosopher who would admit even that his opponents were acquainted with the fact of two and two making four. So much, then, for dogmatism. In the natural order of events, however, there must be things which even a politician can understand. Not many things, perhaps; but still some things. In like manner, there must be things which' even a philosopher can not understand—and a great many things. As an illustration, let us take the case of 'sharping.' Politician and philosopher alike are interested in the origin of crime, its development, and the means of its prevention. Now, even a politician can understand that a man, having in view the acquisition of unearned increment, may take to cheating as being a ready means of possessing himself of the property of others, with but little effort upon his own part. At the same time, I will venture to say that not even a philosopher can render any adequate reason for the fact that some men will devote an amount of energy, labour, perseverance and ingenuity to the gaining of a precarious living in the paths of chicanery, one-half of which, if directed into legitimate channels, would serve to place them in a position commanding both affluence and respect. To my mind, the only hypothesis which in any way covers the facts of the case is that some men are born to crime. It is their destiny, and they are bound to fulfill it....
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1496154150/?tag=2022091-20
(This historic book may have numerous typos and missing te...)
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI MA NIP ULA TION Many readers upon the occasion of their taking up this book for the first time will be under the impression, doubtless, that the most important revelations it contains will prove to be those connected with the manipulative devices employed by card-sharpers and others in cheating the simple-minded and unwary. But, whatever preconceptions upon the subject may have existed, the details of mere manipulation are far from being those of the most consequence to the sharp in the exercise of his profession. This, of course, must be understood to be simply a general statement which does not apply to particular cases. The low-class English sharp, for instance, relies almost entirely upon certain forms of sleight of hand to deceive the senses of his dupes. Again, there are some tricks and dodges which are practised by even the most high-class cheats. The rule is, however, that mere sleight of hand is to a great extent obsolete; at least, among those who seek to swindle really good card-players. The methods of legerdemain are more the common property of the multitude than formerly, and this fact tends to operate, very largely, to the detriment of the sharp. With the legitimate prestidigitateur it is otherwise. It is true, some persons are in a position to form a better idea as to how his tricks are accomplished than was the case in years gone by; but even then, there remains the advantage that they are better able to appreciate his deftness and his ingenuity. Therefore, he is rather benefited than otherwise by the spread of this particular form of knowledge. It is the poor sharp who has suffered through the enlightenment of the public. His lines have fallen in rough places of late years; yet it can hardly be said that he...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1230348360/?tag=2022091-20
(Finally available, a high quality book of the original cl...)
Finally available, a high quality book of the original classic edition of Sharps and Flats - A Complete Revelation of the Secrets of Cheating at Games - of Chance and Skill. It was previously published by other bona fide publishers, and is now, after many years, back in print. This is a new and freshly published edition of this culturally important work by John Nevil Maskelyne, which is now, at last, again available to you. Get the PDF and EPUB NOW as well. Included in your purchase you have Sharps and Flats - A Complete Revelation of the Secrets of Cheating at Games - of Chance and Skill in EPUB AND PDF format to read on any tablet, eReader, desktop, laptop or smartphone simultaneous - Get it NOW. Enjoy this classic work today. These selected paragraphs distill the contents and give you a quick look inside Sharps and Flats - A Complete Revelation of the Secrets of Cheating at Games - of Chance and Skill: Look inside the book: At the same time, I will venture to say that not even a philosopher can render any adequate reason for the fact that some men will devote an amount of energy, labour, perseverance and ingenuity to the gaining of a precarious living in the paths of chicanery, one-half of which, if directed into legitimate channels, would serve to place them in a position commanding both affluence and respect. ...Three coins being spun on edge upon a table, it is obvious that either all three will fall with the same side up-in which case the spin must be repeated-or, two will fall one way and one the other.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1486490891/?tag=2022091-20
(This is a new print of John Nevil Maskelyne's 'Sharps and...)
This is a new print of John Nevil Maskelyne's 'Sharps and Flats'. It is not a facsimile edition but has been completely re-typeset and edited. It is one of the most famous classic gambling and magic books ever written.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1507564198/?tag=2022091-20
MASKELYNE, John Nevil was born on December 22, 1839 in Cheltenham. Son of John Nevil and Harriett Maskelyno of Cheltenham.
Cheltenham.
Appeared as conjurer at age 10. Exposed Davenport Brothers’ Cabinet and Dark Seance, 1865. First appeared London, 1873.
At Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, to 1904. Lessee of the St. George's Hall, London.
(Finally available, a high quality book of the original cl...)
(An excerpt from the Author’s Preface: IN presenting the...)
(This is a new print of John Nevil Maskelyne's 'Sharps and...)
(This historic book may have numerous typos and missing te...)
(Lang:- eng, Pages 394 . Reprinted in 2015 with the help o...)
Clubs: Junior Constitutional, Aero.