Wednesday, March 13, 2019

American Commercial Gardens - Card Games & Wagers

Thomas Rowlandson  (1756–1827) The Gaming Table

The raucous 1790s Spring Gardens, sitting on the waters of Baltimore's harbor, offered intoxicating beverages & "accommodations" for sportsmen. These public pleasure grounds specialized in fishing & also attracted clever gamesters accustomed to nursing pipe and glass with cards flying and dice rattling. It was a place where gentlemen, senses dulled by spirits, could lose their cares and their money with ease.