1863 Frikell PLAYING CARDS MAGIC TRICKS Houdini Inspiration Magician CIVIL WAR

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

1863 Frikell PLAYING CARDS MAGIC TRICKS Houdini Inspiration Magician CIVIL WAR:
$155.00

EarthHunt Lot #A30 – This is a RARE ( Originally bound Civil War era book of card magic ) 1863 First Edition of a classic early volume of instructive prestidigitation that is titled (verbatim): PARLOUR TRICKS WITH CARDS – CONTAINING EXPLAINATIONS OF ALL THE TRICKS AND DECPTIONS WITH PLAYING CARDS EVER INVENTED -- EMBRACING TRICKS WITH CARDS PERFORMED BY SKILLFUL MANIPULATION AND SLEIGHT OF HAND – BY THE AID OF MEMORY, MENTAL CALCULATION, AND TH PECULIAR ARRANGEMENT OF THE CARDS – BY THE AID OF CONFEDERACY AND SHEER AUDACITY, AND TRICKS PERFORMED BY THE AID OF INGENIUS APPARATUS AND PREPARED CARDS. THE WHOLE ILLUSTRATEDM AND MADE PLAIN AND EASY. WITH SEVENTY ENGRAVINGS. By Wiljalba Frikell. Published by Dick & Fitzgerald, New York. 1863.

The book measures 7.25\" x 4.875\". It is in the original orange stiff paper cover with black illustration of a magician performing close up card magic, and the original khaki binding cloth. There are 130 numbered text pages and many RARE AND UNSUAL ENGRAVED ILLUSTRATIONS – PLUS 18 PAGES OF RARE AND AWESOME ADVERTISEMENTS FOR OTHER MAGIC AND OCCULT BOOKS OF THE EARLY 1860’s. We found this copy at Bauman Rare Books of New York many years ago. We have kept the original Bauman’s description and will include it with this sale.

Here is more of the description from Bauman’s Rare Books of this rare magic volume: “This slim volume’s subtitle aptly and ambitiously summarizes its contents. The effects described include distinguishing cards by scent and by weight, changing one card into another, producing a mouse from a deck and discovering a chosen card with a sword’s point while blindfolded. The anonymous text reprints the first 130 pages of ‘The Secret Out’ (also published by Dick & Fitzgerald in 1859) a book often attributed to Wiljalba Frikell, celebrated 19th century German conjurer known for his work with stage apparatus, and one of Harry Houdini’s inspirations. Illustrated with 70 in-text wood engravings. Toole Stott 1142, Milbourne Christopher Library 741”.

We made a detailed review in order to describe any and all flaws in this 153 year old volume (in English). We want you to be aware of any flaws, no matter how minor, in order to provide the most detailed description possible. This is ALL we found: 1) The cover is scuffed and rubbed, but it is in better condition than the vast majority of examples of this scarce volume as it was a book used by magicians and it was published on stiff paper boards. (minor) 2) There is just a bit of usual age toning to the pages and a bit of cloth binding underlayer exposed at the first end page. We note mild foxing ONLY to the first and last end pages. That is all! There are NO other marks, tears, stains, or other flaws present.

We host real sales (and some fixed price listings) of rare & interesting, hard to find volumes from our personal collections, acquired all over the world. $5 for insured shipping in the US for this piece. Internationally will be at cost per the postage calculator. All our book packages are shipped in an expert manner. We use brand new top quality shipping materials and are expert in safe flat packing of antiquarian books and other collectibles as you can see from our 18 years of flawless responses! Feel free to ask any questions.