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)

![OPPER, F[rederick Burr] (1857 – 1937). A Museum of Wonders ...: OPPER, F[rederick Burr] (1857 – 1937). A Museum of Wonders and What the Young Folks Saw There. London & New York: George Routledge & Sons, 1884. First edition. Publisher’s pictorial](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311336_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![[PEPPER’S GHOST] Phantoscope. Birmingham: J. Upton, Printer...: [PEPPER’S GHOST] Phantoscope. Birmingham: J. Upton, Printer, [1872]. Letterpress broadside for the varied production at the Regent Hall, Yarmouth, of not only Pepper and Tobin’s](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311338_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![PERCY, S. Swindling Unmasked. Authentic Anecdotes, of Henri...: PERCY, S. Swindling Unmasked. Authentic Anecdotes, of Henrietta Keneritz, alias Baroness de Menckwitz…. [London]: Printed by and for the Author, [1805]. Marbled boards with printed title label](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311339_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[PERPETUAL ALMANACK] Four Soldier’s Prayerbook Broadsides. ...: [PERPETUAL ALMANACK] Four Soldiers’ Prayerbook Broadsides. Nineteenth century British specimens describing the analogous nature of a bible and a deck of playing cards. Comprising of: Jack and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311340_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![[PICKPOCKETS] A Group of 13 Prints Depicting Pickpockets in...: [PICKPOCKETS] A Group of 13 Prints Depicting Pickpockets in Action. Circa 1810 – 90. Thirteen nineteenth century depictions of light-fingered larceny in action, comprising of: Beraud, Jean](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311342_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[PICKPOCKETS] Warning! Look out for Pickpockets. [St. Louis...: [PICKPOCKETS] Warning! Look out for Pickpockets. [St. Louis?], ca. 1915. Pictorial advertising card issued by the Whitney Company, and advertising its “burglar proof pocket” device of an](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311343_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[LEARNED PIG] ROWLANDSON, Thomas (1757 – 1827). The Wonderf...: [LEARNED PIG] ROWLANDSON, Thomas (1757 – 1827). The Wonderful Pig. London: S.W. Fores, April 12, 1785. Hand-colored etching depicts a semicircle of spectators around a large pig, said to be](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311344_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![PINCHBECK, Christopher (c. 1670.- 1732). Portrait of Christ...: PINCHBECK, Christopher (c. 1670.- 1732). Portrait of Christopher Pinchbeck. [London?], ca. 1730. Fine three-quarter length portrait mezzotint after the painting by Isaac Whood of the famed horologist](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311345_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[PLAYING CARDS] Habit de Cartier. Paris: Chez N. de L’Armes...: [PLAYING CARDS] Habit de Cartier. Paris: Chez N. de L’Armessin, ca. 1715. Etching of a playing card maker resplendent in a costume crafted from the tools of his trade, from a later edition of](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311346_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[PLAYING CARDS] Nine Hand-Painted Transformation Cards. Ear...: [PLAYING CARDS] Nine Hand-Painted Transformation Cards. Early nineteenth century watercolors on stiff stock, each being a “transformed” card from a pack, being satirical images of](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311347_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[POKER] HIRST, E [?]. Poker, As Played by Skilled Professio...: [POKER] HIRST, E [?]. Poker, As Played by Skilled ProFessional Gamblers, and Manner and Methods by which they are Enabled to Win, Fully Exposed. Circa 1902. Printed wrappers (rear stained, spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311348_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[POKER] Judge's Library “Poker” Issue. No. 79. October, 189...: [POKER] Judge’s Library “Poker” Issue. No. 79. October, 1895. Filled with illustrations of poker players, cheating at cards, and cartoons on the game and all related matters. Eight](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311349_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[POKER] YOUNG Buffalo, King of the Wild West. Sheriff of An...: [POKER] YOUNG Buffalo, King of the Wild West. Sheriff of Angel Gulch. Cincinnati: Strobridge Lithographers, ca. 1906. Half-sheet color lithographed theatrical poster, titled “Chas. E. Blaney](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311350_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![POTTER, Humphrey Tristram (1747 – 90). A New Dictionary of …: POTTER, Humphrey Tristram (1747 – 90). A NEW DICTIONARY OF ALL THE CANT AND FLASH LANGUAGES. [London]: Printed for W. Mackintosh and sold by J. Downes, 240 Temple Bar, ca. 1797. Peach boards](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311351_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


![[PRODIGY] Great Attraction at Concert Hall. Little Bobby! S...: [PRODIGY] Great Attraction at Concert Hall. Little Bobby! San Francisco: Commercial Steam Press, 1850s. Wood-engraved letterpress broadside for a three-part show featuring the famous foot juggler](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311354_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![PURVIS, Billy (1784 – 53). Purvis The Newcastle Conjuror. [...: PURVIS, Billy (1784 – 53). Purvis The Newcastle Conjuror. [Newcastle]: G. Angus, Printer, 1822. Letterpress broadside advertising an appearance at Mr. Dixon’s Long Room, White Hart Inn,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311355_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![ROBSON, J[oseph] P[hilip] (1808 – 70). The Life and Adventu...: ROBSON, J[oseph] P[hilip] (1808 – 70). The Life and Adventures of the Far-Famed Billy Purvis. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne: Printed by John Clarke, 1849. First edition. Color pictorial paper-covered](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311356_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


