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)
![The Magical Mirror; Or, Art of Legerdemain Laid Open. Londo...: The Magical Mirror; Or, Art of Legerdemain Laid Open. London: Printed for T&R Hughes, 35 Ludgate St., [1806]. Folding colored frontispiece, tables in text. Pp. [1 - 5], 6 – 74, including](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311311_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![The Magician Exposed [Cover Title]. Philadelphia: Turner & ...: Magician Exposed [Cover Title]. Philadelphia: Turner & Fisher…, (1850). Publisher’s hand-colored pictorial wraps, depicting a magician beside a table laden with props, a skeleton hanging](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311313_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![MAGRATH, Cornelius (1737 – 60). Ein Irrlandischer Rise (An ...: MAGRATH, Cornelius (1737 – 60). Ein Irrlandischer RiEse (An Irish Giant). [Regensburg]: [Johann Nepomuk] Maag, ca. 1756. Engraved full-length portrait of the Irish giant, standing beside and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311314_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![MAILLARDET, Henri (1745 – 1830). Maillardet’s Magnificent A...: MAILLARDET, Henri (1745 – 1830). Maillardet’s Magnificent Automatical Exhibition. London: T. Woofall Printer, [1798]. Letterpress broadside advertises the exhibition of the famed Swiss](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311315_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


![MALINI, Max (Max Katz Breit) (1873 – 1942). Malini Royal Pa...: MALINI, Max (Max Katz Breit) (1873 – 1942). Malini Royal Pavilion Music Room Postcard. [Brighton], 1922. Printed card bearing the famous caricature portrait of Malini by Enrico Caruso,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311318_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![MARCHAND, Floram. Floram Marchand. Water Spouter & Juggler....: MARCHAND, Floram. Floram Marchand. Water Spouter & Juggler. London: George Jones, ca. 1816 [?]. Full-length wood engraved portrait image of the Frenchman who could, by many reports, drink gallons of](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311320_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


![[MICROCALLIGRAPHY]. De Cristofaro, Eugenio [?]. Microcallig...: [MICROCALLIGRAPHY]. De Cristofaro, Eugenio [?]. Microcalligraphic Portrait of A. Enrico Barbaccini. 1832. A half-length bust portrait of Barbaccini, an Italian actor, in which the entire likeness,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311323_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![MILLIE-CHRISTINE (Millie and Christine McKoy, 1851 – 1912)....: MILLIE-CHRISTINE (Millie and Christine McKoy, 1851 – 1912). For a Short Time only. The Wonderful Two-Headed Nightingale. London: J.W. Last & Co., Printers, [1871]. Letterpress double-sided](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311324_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[ANATOMICAL MODEL] Simpson, George (1805 – 67). A Model of ...: [ANATOMICAL MODEL] Simpson, George (1805 – 67). A Model of the Human Ear, (In Papier Machée). [London]: Printed by John Gathercole, Polytechnic Institution, ca. 1850. Letterpress poster](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311325_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![[MONKEY & CAT THEATER] Woodcut of a Money Coach Drawn by Ca...: [MONKEY & CAT THEATER] Woodcut of a MonKey Coach Drawn by Cats. Circa 1830. Oversize woodcut image depicts a proscenium arch at the center of which is a diminutive four-wheel open-top coach driven by](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311327_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[MONKEY THEATER] Affen Theater und Kunst-Reiterei des J. Be...: [MONKEY THEATER] Affen Theater und Kunst-Reiterei des J. Bernhardt. Salzburg: Drud von J. Renl, ca. 1800. Horizontal wood-engraved poster bears seven images of apes presenting a wide range of circus](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311328_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[MOVEABLE] The Museum of Natural Curiosities. London: G.A.H...: [MOVEABLE] The Museum of Natural Curiosities. London: G.A.H. Dean & Co., ca. 1844. Hand-painted moveable novelty card, showing a man perched on the tailgate of a horse-drawn wagon, peeping inside.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311329_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![Munito, Étonnant Ses Spectateurs [Munito, Amazing the Spect...: Munito, Étonnant Ses Spectateurs [Munito, Amazing the Spectators]. Paris, 1817. Artistically hand-colored etching of the “Isaac Newton of his race,” the learned dog Munito, a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311330_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


![[NOTEBOOK – CONJURING SECRETS] Victorian Conjurer’s Manuscr...: [NOTEBOOK – CONJURING SECRETS] Victorian Conjurer’s Manuscript Notebook of Tricks and Secrets. British, 1850s – 70s. Likely compiled by T.W. Edmonds (who performed as](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311333_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

