First edition. xix. [1], 373, [1], [6]. In brown publisher's cloth boards, gilt titles etc front and spine, decorated on front panel with image of a magician, blind decorations on rear panel. All edges gilt. 8vo. Boards heavily worn all over, rubbed and rounded at corners and spine ends, several small indentations on edges, scuffed round spine, minor marks and scratches. Bookplate of O R Baldwin on front paste down, likely Major Oliver Ridsdale Baldwin, 2nd Early of Baldwin on Bewdley and son of Stanley Baldwin, Prime Minister. Stanley Baldwin's signature, dated 1877, inked on title page. Endpapers a little creased, marked. Some spotting throughout. Several gutters strained, with first few pages loosen and fragile. Lacks rear free endpaper and rear higne cracked. A treasured volume. Scarce.
Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin was a French illusionist and magician, widely held as a the father of modern conjuring. Louis Hoffman (translator) was the pseudonym on Angelo John Lewis.
