A Descriptive Bibliography of Edmond Hoyle

Copyright © 2014-26 by David Levy

(page updated 2024-05-11)


Withy.Whist.B.1

Short Standing Rules for Whist, first London edition, 1785.

Publisher: John Wallis
Advertisements: 1782-01-26 Morning Herald and Daily Advertiser: "Puff oblique. I tell you whist is the fashionable game! This day is published, price only 3d. or 2s. a dozen. A present for grown masters and misses this new year. Hoyle Abridged; or Short Standing Rules for Short Memories, at the Game of Whist. By Bob Short. With the laws of the game as played at White's, and all public places, Printed for the benefit of private families, to prevent scolding, and sold by the author at Baker's Coffee-house, 'Change-allay; at Mess. Richardson and Urquhart's, under the Royal Exchange; Mr. Wilkie in St. Paul's Church-yard; Mr. Bell in the Strand; Mr. Fourdrinier, Charing-cross; Mr. Debrett, Piccadilly; and all other bookskellers and stationers that know their own interest and pursue it."

1788-01-01 The Times: This day is published, price fourpence, or four for a shilling, to give away. Bob Short's Rules at the Game of Whist, improved by the addition of the laws of whist, as now played at Brookes, Bath, &c. Printed for John Wallis, No. 16, Ludgate-street."
Notices: 1785-05 Gentleman's Magazine: Catalogue of New Publications, page 384: Bob Short's Game of Whist, 3d. Wilkie. (Google Books)
Price: 3d. (advertisement, notice), 4d. (advertisement)
Notes: This is the work that Robert Withy entered at Stationers' Hall on February 14, 1785 as "A present for grown Masters & Misses. Hoyle Abridged or short Standing Rules for short Memories at the Game of Whist with the laws of the Game. by Bob Short." It appears to have been advertised as early as January, 1782. No early copies survive, but see Withy.B.2 (1790?), with its twenty four laws of whist, seems to be an extract. It seems likely that the text was incorporated into Jones.3 (1785-12-08). Interestingly, John Wilkie, one of the booksellers on the imprint of Jones.3, signed the entry in the Stationers' book of registry on behalf of the Company.

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