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)

![[TOFT, Mary (1701 – 63)] Five Pamphlets Regarding Mary Toft...: [TOFT, Mary (1701 – 63)] Five Pamphlets Regarding Mary Toft, the Pretended Rabbit Breeder. A Sammelband, comprising of: SAINT ANDRE, Nathaniel. A Short Narrative of an Extraordinary Delivery of](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311408_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[TOM THUMB] ADAM, Victor (French, 1801 – 86). Le Général To...: [TOM THUMB] ADAM, Victor (French, 1801 – 86). LE GÉNÉRAL TOM POUCE (GENERAL TOM THUMB). Paris and London: Goupil et Vibert; Gambart, Junin et Co., 1845 [?]. Tinted lithograph with](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311409_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[STRONGMAN] TOPHAM, Thomas (1710 – 49). The Representation ...: [STRONGMAN] TOPHAM, Thomas (1710 – 49). THE REPRESENTATION OF THOMAS TOPHAM THE STRONG MAN, WHO LIFTED THREE HOGSHEADS OF WATER WEIGHING 1836 LB. London: W.H. Toms, 1741. Single leaf folio](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311410_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)







![VAN AMBURGH, Isaac (1808 – 65). Van Amburgh & Cos Great Gol...: VAN AMBURGH, Isaac (1808 – 65). Van Amburgh & Cos Great Golden Menagerie. Group of Prominent Animals. [New York]: T.W. Strong, ca. 1865. Small horizontal colored lithograph depicting the famed](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311418_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![LIVE WEIGHT NEARLY 2000 LBS. DEAD WEIGHT 1463 LBS. [VAN AMB...: [VAN AMBURGH] Monstrous Vermont Hog. Boston: J.H. & F.F. Farwell Printing Establishment, ca. 1875. Letterpress poster with a large wood-engraved image of the immense taxidermied swine which](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311420_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


![VERNON, Dai (David Frederick Wingfield Verner, 1894 – 1992)...: VERNON, Dai (David Frederick Wingfield Verner, 1894 – 1992). Malini and his Magic. London: Harry Stanley Unique Magic Studio, [1962]. First edition. Red cloth titled in gilt. Illustrated by](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311423_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![VERNON, Dai (David Frederick Wingfield Verner, 1894 – 1992)...: VERNON, Dai (David Frederick Wingfield Verner, 1894 – 1992). Portrait of Vernon as Harlequin, Inscribed and Signed. [New York]: Irving Desfor, 1938 (but printed later). Full-length image of](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311424_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![VESTRIS, Mr. The Royal Christy’s. Mr. Vestris. [London]: J....: VESTRIS, Mr. The Royal Christy’s. Mr. Vestris. [London]: J. Hardy Steam Press, ca. 1875. Lithographic poster after a portrait by R. Childs of the cross-dressing blackface performer billed here](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311425_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)



![WECKER, Jean Jacques. Les Secrets et Merveillies de Nature....: WECKER, Jean Jacques. Les Secrets et Merveillies de Nature. Rouen: Jean-Baptiste Besongne, 1600. Contemporary vellum. Engraved device to title page, woodcut illustrations in text. [16], 1 –](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311429_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[THE YELLOW KID] BRANNON, W.T. (1906 – 81). “Yellow Kid” We...: [THE YELLOW KID] BRANNON, W.T. (1875-1976). “Yellow Kid” Weil. The Autobiography of America’s Master Swindler. Chicago: Ziff-Davis, 1948. First edition. Publisher’s brown](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311430_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
