Select Secrets: Rare & Important Magicana

Thurston, Howard. Early Thurston Throw-Out Card. London, ca. 1903. Central portrait of a youthful Thurston on the recto, surrounded by advertising text (No cards SAIL like ‘Squeezers.’); blue floral-pattern squeezer back. Old central fold, scrapbook wear to verso. Rare; the first example we have seen. Issued during Thurston’s first triumphant run in England as the celebrated card manipulator, and advertising his seminal book, Thurston’s Card Tricks, offered for sale “at the STAGE DOOR and by Mudie & Sons.”