Select Secrets: Rare & Important Magicana

[Lacombe, Jacques] Dictionnaire Encyclopedique Des Amusements Des Sciences, Mathematiques et Physiques. Paris: Chez Panckoucke, 1792. Two volumes in one; marbled boards over banded leather spine with gilt titling in upper compartment, and matching corners. Marbled endsheets with matching marbled edges and ribbon page marker. 4to. Ex-libris F. William Keuthe. Scattered light foxing and chips to pages and minor points of wear at extremities, but overall a bright, square, clean and near-fine example of this classic work. ROBERT-HOUDIN’S INSPIRATION. It is said that from a copy of this treatise - given to him by mistake in his formative years – Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin first learned the principles of conjuring. The book explains and illustrates many of the principles and scientific methods that would play an important role in the “father of modern magic’s” later life, including sleight-of-hand techniques as well as the working of various magnetic devices, automatons, and mechanical contrivances which would feature prominently in his career before the public.