AMATEUR AMUSEMENTS. Including almost every kind of Play and Sport suitable for parties and parlor recreations, giving full directions how to get up Shadow Panomines, Gallanty Shows, Short Comic Plays, which are fully illustrated with capital pictures by Lorento, Professor

New York: Hurst, 1878.. Small 8vo., pp. (vi), (7)-376, [1], [7, pub ads], generously illustrated throughout, red cloth decoratively stamped in gilt and black, rear blocked in blind. Contemporary signature (dated Dec 25.1879.) on front free endpaper, darkened spine professionally strengthened at the head and foot (¼" strip from foot; ¼ to ½" strip from head of original spine - a small amount of black and gilt decoration missing, no text loss), rubbing to corners, otherwise a very good, handsome and collectible copy. Title continues " ...; also showing how to do all kinds of Conjurer's and Magician's Tricks, with illustrative engravings. Hundreds of Conundrums, Puzzles, Riddles, and Ingenious Problems. The Chinese Wizard's way of working Wonderful Feats, Magic and Puzzles, to which is added a full description of the fashionable entertainment of Acting Charades, and a choice selection of Tableau Vivants, or Living Pictures." In addition (to everything that's promised in the title) are: chapters titled 'Experimental Magic', 'Professor Hartz's Tricks and Diversions with Cards' and 'The American Ventriloquist: or, Ventriloquism Made Easy'; information on making fireworks, palmistry, magnetism, electricity, etc., etc.. First Edition. Hardcover.