The Tricks of the Greeks Unveiled: Or, The Art of Winning at Every Game
New York: John E. Lovell Company, 1882. Hardcover. Inscribed by the translator. An English translation by M.I. Smithson of the noted French magician Robert-Houdin's Les Tricheries des Grecs dévoilées ; l'art de gagner à tous les jeux, 1861, identified here on the title page as 'Robert Houdin, Prestidigitateur', as sometimes happened in English, as Robert-Houdin had hyphenated his surname. One of several English translations of the popular work, which mixes narrative with technical descriptions of the slights-of-hand used to cheat (with occasional diagrams). Robert-Houdin inspired Houdini's stage name, and a later, disillusioned, debunking. Stamped boards, bumped corners, minor foxing, front hinge loose. Jessel 1437 (with the translator incorrectly identified as 'Smithers'). 188 pages, 11 pages of ads. 12 x 18 cm. Very Good. Item #2022-M301
Price: $200.00