Providence: What Cheer Print 1885. Broadside 29 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches. Accompanied by 6 1/2 x 8 1/4-inch wood engraving signed by Jackson's Print. Printed on inexpensive advertising paper now a light brown tone. Three minor holes one barely affecting the image. Very good. A marvelous and extremely rare example of late 19th-century American advertising ephemera for Prof. H.B. Reynolds "the world renowned sorcerer necromancer and magician." The wood engraving shows the Professor on stage with a few of the elements to be seen during his performances including demons birds and cards in various stages of flight; a boiling cauldron; two separate card displays; and a table with three objects used in the act including an additional demon's head. The text of the broadside which is nearly two and a half feet in height details the wonders the audience will see. These include "original and more marvellous illusions than was sic ever performed by the Ancient Egyptians or the Necromancer of India.The wonderful power of producing realities from nothing and commanding articles to be constructed from the ashes of the earth.His marvellous power of conjuring is manifested by merely asking for or moving his hand that his desires are complied with." Reynolds also claimed to be "cabalistic in his superiority of multitude of mankind allowing himself to be bound with 100 feet of cord in the hands of the most expertitious in knot tying; when in a moment of unseen gesture he frees himself from the cords that bound him and is found within the silent enclosure of a structure whose walls have been permanently secured with screens and nails locked and sealed and bound with ropes." <br> <br> Although much detail is provided regarding Reynolds' skills and attributes the actual place of performance is not indicated. Space was intentionally left blank for the name of the venue to be added when available but the price of admission "15 and 25 cts. Children under 10 years 15 cents" and performance times "Doors open at 7 p.m. Oracles 8 p.m." are noted. Printed in Providence the name of the printing house What Cheer Print is derived from the Narragansett Indian's greeting to Roger Williams in June 1636 "What cheer Netop" friend. <br> <br> A fascinating example of late 19th-century American advertising ephemera. Extremely rare not in OCLC but one copy in the Smith Magic Collection at Brown University. What Cheer Print unknown books
Buffalo: Courier Company Show Printing House 1875. Broadside 42 1/2 x 14 inches. One long diagonal tear from the top edge running into the large engraved image short closed tear in top margin. Very good. Mounted on linen and framed. An illustrated broadside printed on yellow paper announcing and describing a performance by the Austrian magician and showman De La Mano. His real name was Zell Dreitzehn and he performed for several years in the United States before he himself disappeared in upstate New York in 1882. A central engraving depicts Dreitzehn performing before a crowded theater audience while several smaller images show some of his various acts which are also listed. These includes tricks such as "The Enchanted Cross" "The Great East India Dagger Mystery" and "The Magic Omelet" among others. The broadside state in part: "This is no exhibition of Doubtful Merit but a permanently established and legitimate entertainment exhibited with pride and pleasure." <br> <br> An entertaining and rare example of 19th- century magic ephemera. OCLC records just one copy at the American Antiquarian Society. There is also a copy in the theatre collection at Harvard. OCLC 191290995. Courier Company Show Printing House unknown books
Maplewood N.J.: Conjuror's Press 1949. Illustrated. 1 vols. 4to. Original wrappers many in original mailing envelopes. Fine to Mint. Illustrated. 1 vols. 4to. Conjuror's Press unknown books
Colon Michigan: Abbott's Magic Novelty Company 1950. Illustrated. 1 vols. 4to. Original wrappers many in original mailing envelopes. Fine. Illustrated. 1 vols. 4to. Abbott's Magic Novelty Company unknown books
Columbus OH: U.F. Grant n. d. Yellow pictorial wrappers. VG covers and pages slightly darkened. 76 pp. Illustrated with cuts. 8vo. 9-1/8" x 6" <br/><br/> U.F. Grant unknown books
N.p. likely Buffalo N.Y. 1880. Broadside 24 x 4 3/4 inches. Two small areas of discoloration near bottom edge else fine. Mounted and framed. A slim illustrated broadside printed on tan paper announcing and describing a performance by the Austrian magician and showman De La Mano here billed as French. His real name was Zell Dreitzehn and he performed for several years in the United States before he himself disappeared in upstate New York in 1882. The broadside offers a "Night of Mystery" and "Two Hours of Fun" for attendees who should expect to be treated to illusions such as "The Bird Cage of Leah" "The Mesemerized Cards" "The Aerial Suspension" "The Witches Knot" "The Chinese Paradox" "The Great 'Hindoo Box' Mystery" and "a Thousand and One other tricks." Three small illustrations depict scenes from De La Mano's act including the transformation stand the Inexhaustible Bottle and the Miser's Dream. The Inexhaustible Dream illustration is credited to "Mitchell Buffalo." <br> <br> The broadside claims: "This is no exhibition of doubtful merit but a permanently established and legitimate entertainment exhibited with pride and pleasure. Prof. De La Mano has traveled extensively in the Southern and Eastern States and has gained a reputation as a Magician excelled by none." <br> <br> A rare theatrical advertisement from a bygone age with only two copies listed in OCLC at the American Antiquarian Society and the Clements Library. OCLC 191290992 and 83859708. unknown books
Los Angeles: W & V Dailey Rare Books 1995. First edition. Paperback. Fine. Winter 1995 issue of magician actor and book collector Ricky Jay's journal of anaomalies. A fine copy in tall stapled wrappers. 10 pp. Illustrated in both color and black and white. W & V Dailey Rare Books paperback books
Los Angeles: W & V Dailey Rare Books 1995. First edition. Paperback. Fine. Spring 1995 issue of magician actor and book collector Ricky Jay's journal of anaomalies. A fine copy in tall stapled wrappers. 10 pp. Illustrated in both color and black and white. W & V Dailey Rare Books paperback books
Los Angeles: W & V Dailey Rare Books 1995. First edition. Paperback. Fine. Summer 1995 issue of magician actor and book collector Ricky Jay's journal of anaomalies. A fine copy in tall stapled wrappers. 8 pp. Illustrated in both color and black and white. W & V Dailey Rare Books paperback books
No place 19th century. original paste-grain paper-covered stiff wrappers side stitched. Old ink ownership name; ink and pencil drawings on rear endsheet; wrappers chipped and rubbed. 16mo. Illustrated from hand-colored engravings drawn from various published books. See Ricky Jay Magic Magic Book. An Enquiry into the Venerable History & Operation of the Oldest Trick Conjuring Volumes Designated "Blow Books." "Blow books" are among the earliest recorded magic props handmade and artfully constructed with subtle variations along the fore-edge to allow the performer to selectively flip through the leaves in a variety of ways in order to create the illusion that the contents of the book have been transformed. unknown
France 19th century. original decorated paper-covered boards with printed paper label on spine and applied illustrations printed in gold on front and rear panels. . Upper joint rubbed; very nice operating condition. 12mo. Illustrated from hand-colored engravings drawn from various published books. See Ricky Jay Magic Magic Book. An Enquiry into the Venerable History & Operation of the Oldest Trick Conjuring Volumes Designated "Blow Books." "Blow books" are among the earliest recorded magic props handmade and artfully constructed with subtle variations along the fore-edge to allow the performer to selectively flip through the leaves in a variety of ways in order to create the illusion that the contents of the book have been transformed. hardcover