Parlor Amusements and Evening Party Entertainments Book | Professor Hoffman

Here we have a rare version of the hardcover book by the infamous Professor Hoffman titled "Parlor Amusements and Evening Party Entertainment." This jewel of book was published by George Rutledge and Sons in New York in the 1880s, starting a frenzy in the cobblestone streets. Grifting and illusions everywhere! I can't really back that up...I'm just relaying my own experience with the book...(ahem).

Professor Hoffman's real name was Angelo John Lewis, and he was an English Barrister and journalist. Lewis created the Classic Magic book, the first in the English language to cover magical effects from sleight of hand with cards, coins, and various magical apparatus, with a section on stage and parlor Magic, including a section on automatons, clairvoyance, and spiritualism. He covered all the creepy bases in the game!

The book is 504 pages and contains 107 illustrations, all of which need to be wall size posters. They're super cool and I'd travel far to obtain the original illustrations. The antique amusement book comes out of a Twin Cities book collection containing old books on magic, the occult and the Free Masons. I have a few other books coming out of the same collection, including another by Professor Hoffman listed in the store. Check that one out too.

The book measures 7 1/2" tall, 5" wide and just under 2" deep. It features brown pictorial cloth stamped in black and gold. The covers are securely attached with some wear along the hinges. There is a slight discoloration on the front cover, especially in the bottom left corner. The binding is in tack but there is some cracking inside the front cover (see pic). There is an inscription on the inside cover stating "Cat# 1308" (see pic). There is slight surface wear throughout, especially along the binding. The pages are stiff yet intact. I'm not seeing much foxing on the pages. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.

I ship FedEx to street addresses in the continental USA only (no PO boxes). Free shipping on the rare amusement book.

If you ever attend an evening party with these activities on the agenda, you're going home wide-eyed and ranting between gasps. Killer book.