Done
Chicago, IL, United States
Auction Details
The Ricky Jay Collection
Potter & Potter Auctions
Potter & Potter is thrilled to bring to auction the remarkable, singular, eclectic collection of Ricky Jay, the lauded actor, celebrated sleight-of-hand magician, and noted author, who curated his own extensive collection of magic, circus, and showbiz ephemera - a one of a kind wunderkammer. From literature of cheating, gambling and conmen, to vibrant circus and sideshow posters, flamboyant text-filled broadsides spanning the last four centuries, and memorabilia of magic shows of yesteryear, this, the first of three auctions promises to be a true celebration of curious characters and the rare relics that tell their stories.
Auction Curator:

Gabe Fajuri
PresidentTOP
![JAY, Ricky. Ricky Jay. On the Stem. [New York], 2003. One-s...](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311274_1_x.jpg?height=300&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![Is Conan Doyle Right? Cleveland: J. Morgan Litho., [1923]. ...](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311151_1_x.jpg?height=300&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[ACROBATS AND JUGGLERS] Acrobats, Equilibrists, and Juggler...: [ACROBATS AND JUGGLERS] ACROBATS, EQUILIBRISTS, AND JUGGLERS POSTER. American, ca. 1880. Oversize two-sheet stock poster with large color wood-engraved images of jugglers, equilibrists, and acrobats](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311071_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)




![ALEXANDER, Herr. Unprecedented Attraction! Two Celebrated M...: ALEXANDER, Herr. UNPRECEDENTED ATTRACTION! TWO CELEBRATED MAGICIANS IN THE FIELD! [Cincinnati?]: Germa Republican Print, 1851. A central woodcut showing Herr Alexander presenting the Inexhaustible](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311076_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![[ANATOMY] The Museum of Anatomy, Science and Art. St. Louis...: [ANATOMY] THE MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, SCIENCE AND ART. St. Louis: Lavat & Murrin, Printers, ca. 1880. Pictorial letterpress advertising card for the exhibition operated by Drs. S. & D. Davieson,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311078_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![ANDERSON, John Henry (1814 – 74). Professor Anderson Bal Ma...: ANDERSON, John Henry (1814 – 74). PROFESSOR ANDERSON BAL MASQUE TICKET, SIGNED. [London], 1851. Letterpress “Lady’s Ticket” of admission to a masked ball promoted by Anderson](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311079_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![ANDERSON, John Henry (1814 – 74). Complimentary Pass to Pro...: ANDERSON, John Henry (1814 – 74). COMPLIMENTARY PASS TO PROFESSOR ANDERSON’S SHOW. [London, 1851]. Letterpress printed “comp pass” admitting the bearer to the show of the](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311080_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![[ANDERSON] [PUZZLES] Nuts to Crack, Part XXV. Circa 1853. L...: [ANDERSON] [PUZZLES] NUTS TO CRACK, PART XXV. Circa 1853. Letterpress broadsheet with hundreds of wood-engraved images, comprising a series of rebuses framing the central text, which together tell](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311082_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[ANDERSON, John Henry] Beware of your Children! The Superhu...: [ANDERSON, John Henry] BEWARE OF YOUR CHILDREN! THE SUPERHUMAN BOY. Whitechapel: Henry Bownceby [?], [1857]. Large letterpress broadside reproducing a letter apparently written and signed by one](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311083_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![ANDERSON, John Henry (1814 – 74). The Aztecs. N.P., [1853]....: ANDERSON, John Henry (1814 – 74). THE AZTECS. N.P., [1853]. Full-length lithograph of the famed Scottish conjurer together with Maximo and Bartola, captioned, “These wonderful beings were](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311084_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[ANDERSON] The Aztec Lilliputians from Central America. [Lo...: [ANDERSON] THE AZTEC LILLIPUTIANS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA. [London]: Printed by JWG, ca. 1851. Half-sheet monochrome lithograph bearing five vignettes of the supposed Iximayan Lilliputians appearing at](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311085_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[AZTEC LILLIPUTIANS] VELASQUEZ, Pedro and John L. Stephens....: [AZTEC LILLIPUTIANS] VELASQUEZ, Pedro and John L. Stephens. ILLUSTRATED MEMOIR OF AN EVENTFUL EXPEDITION INTO CENTRAL AMERICA … TWO REMARKABLE AZTEC CHILDREN. Circa 1856. Old marbled wraps.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311086_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![ANTONIO, Carlo (fl. 1750s). Tresor Des Jeux. Geneve: Henri-...: ANTONIO, Carlo (fl. 1750s). TRESOR DES JEUX. Geneve: Henri-Albert Gosse & Comp., 1759. Full vellum with gilt-lettered spine label, page edges speckled in red, ribbon page marker (fragile). [i-ii],](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311088_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[ARMLESS PERFORMER] Nakamura. Japanese Armless Performer Po...: [ARMLESS PERFORMER] Nakamura. JAPANESE ARMLESS PERFORMER POSTER. Circa 1900. Pictorial broadsheet advertising the performance of a limb-deficient boy with the surname Nakamura, performing a variety](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311089_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![ASTLEY, Philip (1742 – 1814). Astley’s System of Equestrian...: ASTLEY, Philip (1742 – 1814). ASTLEY’S SYSTEM OF EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. Lambeth: C. Creed, [1801]. Original plain boards (scuffed and worn) backed in cloth. Engraved silhouette](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311091_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[ASTLEY] Inspice et Judica. Par permission de M. L'aman. [P...: [ASTLEY] INSPICE ET JUDICA. PAR PERMISSION DE M. L’AMAN. [Paris?], (1787). Early letterpress broadside with square woodcut picturing a trick rider jumping over a rope suspended above the ring](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311092_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![Astonishing Feats of Conjuring Tricks with Cards & Dice [Co...: ASTONISHING FEATS OF CONJURING TRICKS WITH CARDS & DICE [COVER TITLE]. London: Printed by J. Catnatch, 2 & 3 Monmouth-Court, 7 Dials, ca. 1830. Pictorial blue wrappers, pictorial title page bearing a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311093_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[JUGGLING] The Avrignys. Plymouth: Hal Bert, Lith., ca. 188...: [JUGGLING] THE AVRIGNYS. Plymouth: Hal Bert, Lith., ca. 1885. Lithograph in colors depicting seven vignettes from the juggling act of this faux Japanese troupe, including stunts with knives,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311094_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
