Potter & Potter Auctions
Live Auction

Gambling Memorabilia

Sat, Apr 14, 2018 12:30AM EDT
Lot 74

(The Heathen Chinee). Overland Monthly, Vol. 5 No. 3 (Sept. 1870).

Estimate: $100 - $150

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$30 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
Harte, Bret. (The Heathen Chinee). Overland Monthly, Vol. 5 No. 3 (Sept. 1870). First appearance of Harte?s poem, here titled ?Plain Language from Truthful James.? Original wrappers, in a folding cloth case, spine gilt stamped. 8vo. Minor chips and wear; good. The first publication of Harte?s famous poem, before being released in book form. The verses describes a game of euchre played between Ah Sin, the Chinaman, and two white men, who stack cards and use other ruses to cheat. Sadly, the poem?s meaning was conflated by many and helped enforce racist stereotypes of the era.