This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2023
ROLTAIR, Henry (1853 – 1910). Roltair’s Illusions. Circa 1890. Bright blue publisher’s wrappers lettered and printed in gold. [1], 2 – 16, 16mo. Wraps chipped, short tears, old vertical fold. Good. The first example we have encountered. Roltair is acknowledged as a pioneer of fairground spectacles and illusions at Coney Island and elsewhere, and including the construction of an upside-down house, Spidora (Spider Girl illusion), and Creation, a two-hour long ride that was said to show viewers the creation of the world. This pitchbook is curious in that it teaches only a few card tricks, devoting as much if not more space to divulging (without illustrations) the methods behind small sideshow illusions like The Living Head in a Bottle, The Aerial Suspension, and The Sphinx or Decapitated Head.