About the Book
Poker, Smoke and Other Things was published by the Reilly & Britton Co. of Chicago in 1907, designed by W. M. Rhoads, with pictures by Albert Olson. The fun is credited to Percy Hammond and George C. Wharton — Hammond went on to become one of the most feared drama critics in America.
Its title page sets out the contents like a bill of fare: rules of poker by the Banker, recipes by many friends, toasts from everywhere, mixed drinks by the Bar-Fan. It is a period piece of a very specific kind — the gift book for a man's card evening — and it is funny in places and dated in others.
The book contains drinking recipes and period humour that has not aged evenly; it is presented exactly as printed.