This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/17/2019
Downs, T. Nelson. The Art of Magic. Buffalo: Downs-Edwards, 1909. “Spurious” Edition. Red cloth stamped in black. Illustrated. 8vo. Spine sunned, rear hinge with minor crack, else very good. Uncommon. This is the uncommon, unauthorized edition of Downs’ famous book, said to have been printed without the consent of Downs or Hilliard. According to bibliographers, the loose pages were smuggled across the US/Canada Border by W.G. Edwards, and shipped to August Roterberg of Chicago, who bound and sold them, but purposefully left out the dedication page to Dr. A.M. Wilson. Copies of this “spurious” edition also lack the photographic frontispiece of Downs, as Roterberg did not purchase these plates from Edwards. Though listed as the book’s editor on the title page, John Northern Hilliard was, in fact, the author of the work.