Portrait photograph by Walter Baker of Birmingham and copy of his book 'Practical Conjuring.'

Author: 
James Carl (J. A. Wakefield, 1875-1955), 'the Derby Conjuror, Member of the Magic Circle, London', 'Society Magician'
Publication details: 
The book published in Derby by E. J. Furniss, 15, Exeter Street, in 1911.
£200.00
SKU: 5400

The studio photograph, with printed label of 'Walter Baker, 159, Mosely Road, Birmingham. Highgate Studios.' on reverse, and the manuscript number '24704 | 98'. is a good clear head and shoulders portrait (dimensions roughly three and a half inches by two and a quarter wide), in very good condition. Although untitled, it seems to be Carl, as represented on the title-page of his book, without the moustache and a little younger. The book is twenty-eight pages, octavo, in original coloured printed boards. Numerous line drawings. A little aged, and with a small hole in last leaf (not affecting text). Boards a tad grubby. A scarce item, the only copy on COPAC being in the Harry Price collection at the University of London. Includes instructions on 'How to Produce a Live Bantam Cockerel from an Opera Hat', 'How to change a Borrowed Watch for a Dummy', 'The Man in the Moon or Photograph of Yourself', 'Cannon Ball Servante' and 'Funny Perriott Hat and Egg Trick'. Includes a price list for '[t]he whole of the Apparatus described in this Book'.