This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2023
JONAS, Phillip [?]. Mr. Jonas. Philosophic Experiments and Capital Deceptions. [London], 1795. Letterpress broadside or handbill advertising the appearance of this celebrated conjurer at the Frogmore Lodge, presenting feats of card magic and mind reading (including the “ashes on the arm” effect), thought-of card miracles, and effects with coins, in addition to offering his services as a teacher of magic tricks. 8 3/4 x 7 3/8”, with minor wear at extremities. Rare. Sidney Clarke’s research on the life and career of Jonas reveals that by 1780, the original Jonas was most likely retired from the stage, which would seem to be refuted by the date of this bill – except for the fact that there were two men performing contemporaneously using that name. The original Jonas was perhaps the first magician to present an unusual effect in which an attack on the shadow of a live pigeon – in his case, using a knife to cut through the shadow of the bird’s head – effected a reaction in the living thing, viz. the actual pigeon was decapitated when its shadow’s head was severed with the blade of the magician’s knife.