Ricky Jay's English-Printed Historical Broadsides to Auction

A range of rare books and works on paper from The Ricky Jay Collection will go on sale next week.

The Forum Auctions online auction on February 27 will feature items from the personal collection of the famous magician, performer, and author  who was also a historian of magic and theatrical curiosities. This sale includes 211 pieces, with a particular emphasis on his significant collection of English-printed historical broadsides.

Highlights include

• Daniel Mendoza's Memoirs of the Life...and an Account of the Numerous Contests in which he has been Engaged, a rare 1808 second edition by the Jewish bare-knuckle champion who was the first to use a more 'scientific' approach to boxing and was considered the best heavyweight in England (estimate: £1,500 - £2,000)
• Hocus Pocus, or The Art of Conjuration ( W. Lane, 1795), a rare work on conjuring (estimate: £1,500 - £2,000)
• an 1811 handbill announcing an exhibition in Rochester by mouth and foot painting artist Miss Beffin (estimate: £1,000 - £1,500)
• Pratt's Edition of A Narrative of the Exploits and Deceptions of Hannah Walton (1826) which is an account of a 23-year-old con artist from Manchester who was sentenced to be transported for seven years (estimate: £600 - £800)
• a printed broadside At the Chamber in Thursday-Market Cross...the Celebrated Magee... from c.1790 listing various feats to be performed by Magee who "causes a sudden Production of Fruit and Flowers to appear on the Table" as well as fire-eating (estimate: £600 - £800)

"Ricky was not only a magician of extraordinary skill, but also a historian and curator of magic’s rich past," said Rupert Powell, Deputy Chairman and International Head of Books at Forum Auctions. "This auction is a celebration of his life’s work."