X-Rays on Roulette Systems; The Solution of the Problem "How to Beat the Bank at Monte Carlo

London: W.J. Ham-Smith, 1912. Hardcover. Good. Rasch promises to provide: '(1) Absolute Proofs of the fallacy of all known Systems; (2) to my knowledge, the only correct table of the Law of Chance or Average; (3) a set of about 15,000 consecutive coups, taken by myself and a partner in twenty-three days' actual play at one and the same table in Monte Carlo, which is, I venture to say, the only original set of coups of its kind'. He then humbly presents his own system for 'getting an advantage over the Bank'. The opening and closing advertisements provide a charming glimpse into a vanished world: gentlemen's fur-lined overcoats, Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo, a guide to the stock exchange, new filters for cigarettes, loans for expectant heirs. Yellow cloth with images of a roulette wheel. Scuffs and wear to cover, spine sunned, corners bumped. Large void to the front pastedown (an ad for gentlemen's fur coats) exposing the cardboard. 2 pages of ads, half-title, ad for cigarettes, 'Methods of Staking', two facing pages color diagrams of roulette wheel and table, ad for book on roller-skating, title-page, preface v-vii, ads for other books about roulette, [1]-163 pages including 7 pages of ads, the last of which functions as the paste-down. 11.5 x 16 cm.