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)

![[DEAN, Henry] The Whole Art of Legerdemain; or Hocus Pocus ...: [DEAN, Henry] The Whole Art of Legerdemain; or Hocus Pocus Laid Open and Explained. New York: Published by N.C. Nafis. Philadelphia: by John B. Perry, (1833). Turquoise paper-covered pictorial](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311168_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)



![[OPTICAL ILLUSION] DEFEHER, J.K. Blossom and Decay. London:...: [OPTICAL ILLUSION] DEFEHER, J.K. Blossom and Decay. London: J.K. Defeher, Dec. 15th 1860. Hand-colored lithograph of the classic double-image. Viewed in one way, it shows two young lovers resting](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311172_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


![[DIRTY DICK] The History of the Extraordinary Dirty Warehou...: [DIRTY DICK] The History of the Extraordinary Dirty Warehouse in Leadenhall Street. London: Printed for T. Wilson…, 1803. One third polished calf over marbled boards with roan spine label](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311175_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![[DANCING DOG] Alcazar D’Été – Dans Serpentine. Paris: Ch. L...: [DANCING DOG] Alcazar D’Été – DansE Serpentine. Paris: Ch. Levy, ca. 1895. One-sheet color lithograph advertising one of many Loie Fuller-inspired trained canine who apparently](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311177_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[DOGGIE DRAMA] Messrs. Lamb & Chappell! And Their Celebrate...: [DOGGIE DRAMA] Messrs. Lamb & Chappell! And Their Celebrated Dogs Nero & Carlo. Coventry: Stephen Knapp, 1855. Pictorial letterpress broadside for Bennett’s Theatre, Coventry, and the](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311178_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[TRAINED DOGS] [PUZZLE] Le Théâtre Des Animaux Savants. Haa...: [TRAINED DOGS] [PUZZLE] Le Théâtre Des Animaux Savants. Haarlem: Leer & Co., ca. 1890. Chromolithographed jigsaw puzzle of twenty-two pieces, depicting two scenes with “learned”](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311179_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![DÖEBLER, Ludwig (d. 1864). Professor DOEBLER. [Stuttgart]. ...: DOEBLER, Ludwig (1801-1864). Professor DOEBLER. [Stuttgart]. 1830. Letterpress playbill advertising the final performance of the Austrian conjurer at the Stuttgart Court Theatre. The magician could,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311180_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![Card Cheating Exposed. London: Coe & Co., ca. 1910. Publish...: Card Cheating Exposed. London: Coe & Co., ca. 1910. Publisher’s pink wraps lettered and bordered in black. [1-3], 5 – 30, one blank leaf, 32mo. Three small paper labels affixed to front](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311182_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[CARDIFF GIANT] Six Works Regarding the Cardiff Giant and S...: [CARDIFF GIANT] Six Works Regarding the Cardiff Giant and Similar Hoaxes. Including The Cardiff Giant Humbug. A Complete and Thorough Exposition of the Greatest Deception of the Age. Fort Dodge,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311183_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[VENTRILOQUISM] CHING Lau Lauro (ca. 1806 – 40). Wonderful ...: [VENTRILOQUISM] CHING Lau Lauro (ca. 1806 – 40). Wonderful Powers in Ventriloquism. Stratford: Ward, Printer, Bookbinder &c., 1832. Early letterpress broadside advertising a performance at the](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311184_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)



![[COFFEY, John (1852 – ca. 1912)] Life and Adventures of the...: [COFFEY, John (1852 – ca. 1912)] Life and Adventures of the Skeleton Dude. New York: N.Y. Popular Publishing Co., ca. 1890. Hand-colored pictorial wrappers. Illustrated. 32mo. Dampstained,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311188_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


