MAGIC

12mo, 39 pp. Stitched into original coloured wraps decorated with pastel-coloured rainbow stripes. Text clear and complete. Good, on aged paper. The final two pages of the volume contain crude sketches in coloured pencil (figure seated on steps of country cottage, a clump of trees, ships at sea). The year is not stated, but certainly 1844 from the references in the volume. Found with other autograph material of the Rev. W. M. Mousley, who would have been sixteen at the time of writing. The trip is made along with 'Papa', 'Mama [Mamma]' (often 'poorly'), 'Henry' and 'James'.

One page, 8vo, good condition. [J. York] "Gent[leme]n | Please favour me with a reply to my application to publish extracts from Old Curiosity Shop for use with Magic Lantern. I fear it has escaped your notice." Frederic Chapman has added his note to the foot of the page, "If you acknowledge that you have our permission as you did before, you may publish the Extracts."

Six pages, 12mo, closely written, fold marks, good condition. "[...] on Obeah as practised in Demerara, I have exceedingly little information to give, having had but little personal contact with it and only knowing it as a thing much talked about and I believe, largely made use of by the black people. It is no uncommon thing for a person bearing ill will towards another to resort to an Obeah man in order that he may work them some harm.

A fascinating archive, reflecting Houdini's immense iconic status. The collection is in good condition, with only a few items showing signs of aging, such as a handful of magazines with loose covers or other pages. Apart from two items (described first below) the collection is divided into two parts, A and B: Part A comprises general Houdini ephemera, and Part B magazines featuring Houdini, 1909-1997.

The studio photograph, with printed label of 'Walter Baker, 159, Mosely Road, Birmingham. Highgate Studios.' on reverse, and the manuscript number '24704 | 98'. is a good clear head and shoulders portrait (dimensions roughly three and a half inches by two and a quarter wide), in very good condition. Although untitled, it seems to be Carl, as represented on the title-page of his book, without the moustache and a little younger. The book is twenty-eight pages, octavo, in original coloured printed boards. Numerous line drawings.

Dimensions of paper roughly ten inches by seven and a half wide. Clear impression on aged paper. Shows a standing magician waving a wand with a skull behind him and a kneeling servant hiding behind the hem of his gown, reciting a spell from a book on a table in front of him. The two demons he has conjured up stand to his left, looking rather pleased with themselves. Snakes, smoking cauldron, pin cushion, hourglass, knife, etc. Extracted from Barclay's Dictionary, where it was used to illustrate the word 'conjurer'.

Australian magician and escapologist (1892-1978). One page, 8vo. Very good, but with some loss to edge by removal from mount. Letterhead reads 'THIRD WORLD TOUR | The Great Levante | FAMOUS AUSTRALIAN ILLUSIONIST | WITH HIS MAGICAL EXTRAVAGANZA "HOW'S TRICKS" | This Week: [Chelsea Palace, | London.] | Next Week: [Town Hall, | Pontypridd.]' He thanks him for his letter, returns his card, and encloses a photograph as requested.

Hand (1907-86), an authority on American folklore, was Professor of Germanic Languages and Folklore at the University of California, Los Angeles. 9 pages (paginated as stated), octavo. In very good condition in light-blue printed card wraps. Minor spotting and discoloration. A 'survey, essentially, of the physical harm wrought by conjurers, [...] a discussion of sickness and disease, and other categories of physical impairment, and [...] a consideration of the nature of the magic employed, and the various circumstances and conditions under which it is carried out'.