Email this lot to a friend

« Email Address (separate multiple emails with a comma)

hide

Lot 13

translate

email

save

Erdnase Expert at the Card Table Inscribed & Signed

Sign In to see what this sold for

Erdnase, S.W. Artifice, Ruse and Subterfuge at the Card Table. Chicago, 1934. Publisher's pictorial colored wraps bound in maroon cloth stamped in gold, the front cover bearing the name "Dr. Jacob Daley," former owner of this volume. Illustrated "with over one hundred drawings from life by M.D. Smith." 16mo. Corners of first 56 pages and front wrap bumped and chipped not affecting text, light wear at extremities. Good condition. Inscribed and signed by Dai Vernon, Charlie Miller, Michael Skinner, Dr. Jacob Daley, and Larry Jennings.

Perhaps the most outstanding association copy of this legendary work on card sharping and conjuring, this book was one of Larry Jennings' most prized possessions. The book is inscribed and signed five times, by five of the 20th century's greatest sleight-of-hand magicians. Vernon's inscription, on the recto of the second free endpaper, reads as follows: "I can truthfully state, that if this book had not been written my life time [sic] devotion to the possibilities of a deck of cards; would have been very un-rewarding. The present owner of this volume – Larry Jennings is at the very top of the heap of the present crop of card handlers. Magically Dai Vernon." Charlie Miller's inscription follows Vernon's, on the verso of the same leaf: "Larry: This is probably the very best book on card handling ever printed or written. If one can do everything in this book he can become a "great" of all times. I'm never without this book. It is also beautifully written. Charlie Miller. 2/13/75." Inside the front wrap is the following inscription: "It is an honor for me to write in this great book….Larry. This is the first book that I received in my beginning years in card magic and I have worn the covers off of two copies already. I love this book and constantly refer to it. I am also fortunate to have studied card handling with 3 out of 4 of the wonderful card men who have written in this great book. Michael Skinner. 6/29/95" On the facing page is the following inscription, penned by the book's original owner: "If all book on cards were to be destroyed and I was given an opportunity to salvage only one – this would be it. In my humble opinion I still consider "The Expert at The Card Table" the greatest treatise on the science and art of of [sic] manipulating cards ever written and I doubt if it will be ever equaled. Jac. Daley. 1/29/40." The final inscription, on the verso of the leaf carrying Daley's note is a sentiment inscribed by Larry Jennings: "I believe that that [sic] this boock [sic] is the finest work on the Science and Art of Manipulating Cards ever written. Its author was with out [sic] doubt a genius. Every time I open its pages I learn some thing new. Larry Jennings. 2/17/83."

Click on thumbnails to see larger images:

View Potter & Potter Auctions next auction.

Similar lots up for auction