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)
![[SWALLOWER] Jacques de Falaise le Polyphage. [Paris: Pierre...: [SWALLOWER] Jacques de Falaise le Polyphage. [Paris: Pierre La Mésangère 1816]. Hand-colored etching from Le Bon Genre, No. 93, picturing the polyphage on a platform before a well-appointed](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311359_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)



![[ESCAPE ARTIST] RITHLOW, Fred. Sensationel Fred Rithlow L’E...: [ESCAPE ARTIST] RITHLOW, Fred. Sensationel Fred Rithlow L’Evadé Perpétuel. Hamburg: Adolph Friedlander, 1910. One-sheet color lithograph of this unusual escape feat presented as a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311363_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


![[ROBERT-HOUDIN] de Boret, Amédée (1837 – 1916). Cendrillon....: [ROBERT-HOUDIN] de Boret, Amédée (1837 – 1916). Cendrillon. Paris: [Auguste] Delâtre, 1865. Suite of twenty mounted plates with captions by de Boret, being the artist’s](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311366_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[ROBERT-HOUDIN] HAMILTON (Pierre Etienne Chocat, 1812 – 77)...: [ROBERT-HOUDIN] HAMILTON (Pierre Etienne Chocat, 1812 – 77). ThÉÂtre Robert-Houdin. Souvenir des Séances d’Hamilton. Paris: Jouaust, ca. 1862. Printed orange wrappers.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311367_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[ROBET-HOUDIN, Jean Eugène] La Malle des Indes. Paris/Londo...: [ROBERT-HOUDIN, Jean Eugène] La Malle des Indes. Paris/London: Enoch & Sons, ca. 1874. Lithographed sheet music for the “galop brillian” by Georges Lamothe, composer, dedicated to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311368_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![ROLTAIR, Henry (1853 – 1910). Roltair’s Illusions. Circa 18...: ROLTAIR, Henry (1853 – 1910). Roltair’s Illusions. Circa 1890. Bright blue publisher’s wrappers lettered and printed in gold. [1], 2 – 16, 16mo. Wraps chipped, short tears,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311370_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[ROPING] The Four Mexicans. Circa 1925. Quarter sheet litho...: [ROPING] The Four Mexicans. Circa 1925. Quarter sheet lithograph in colors pictures four female performers “in their native costume [as] they go through a marvellous exhibition of skill &](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311371_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


![RUSSELL, Fred (Thomas Parnell, 1862 – 1957). Ventriloquism ...: RUSSELL, Fred (Thomas Parnell, 1862 – 1957). Ventriloquism and Kindred Arts. [London]: Keith, Prowse & Co., [1898]. Publisher’s purple paper-covered boards, lettered in gilt. Marbled red](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311374_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


![SCOTT, Samuel C. (1813 – 1841). Samuel C. Scott the Celebra...: SCOTT, Samuel C. (1813 – 1841). Samuel C. Scott the Celebrated American Diver. Lambeth [London]: J.W. Peel, ca. 1840. Broadside for Scott’s challenge dive at the Rose and Bell, Bankside,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311377_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![[SHADOWGRAPHY] GUEST, Leslie (1898 – 1981). Leslie Guest’s ...: [SHADOWGRAPHY] GUEST, Leslie (1898 – 1981). Leslie Guest’s Hand Shadow Act Case, Screen, and Gimmicks. Circa 1942. Wooden case with hinged lid, the interior compartmentalized and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311379_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[SHADOWGRAPHY] Cabinet of Shadowgraph Apparatus. American, ...: [SHADOWGRAPHY] Cabinet of Shadowgraph Apparatus. American, ca. 1895. Set of tin and cardboard accessories and props used to present a hand shadow demonstration, including a candlestick, fishing rod,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311380_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[CATALOG] SHAW, W.H.J. (William Henry James, b. 1859) Shaw’...: [CATALOG] SHAW, W.H.J. (William Henry James, b. 1859) SHAW’S ILLUSTRATED AND DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY AND SUPERIOR NOVELTIES IN CONJURING TRICKS AND MAGICAL APPARATUS, ILLUSIONS,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311381_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[SIDESHOW] Nelson Supply House Freak Supply Catalogs and Co...: [SIDESHOW] NELSON SUPPLY HOUSE FREAK SUPPLY CATALOGS AND CORRESPONDENCE. South Boston, 1920s. A small archive of catalogs and correspondence related to this manufacturer of gaffed sideshow exhibits,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311382_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
