Kellar’s Wonder Book.

Kellar, Harry. Kellar’s Wonder Book. Nashville: The Brandon Company, 1903. Publisher’s color pictorial wrappers. Illustrated by C.W. Saalburg. Oblong 8vo. Minor chipping, small tape repair to spine, else very good. Rare. A genuine rarity in American conjuring books, and one of only a handful of examples known. Most likely produced as a “pitch” book or a newspaper promotion used to advertise Kellar’s shows. Saalburg’s illustrations explain the tricks, games and shadowgraphs inside. The artist was a well known political cartoonist and inventor of printing equipment who had a long and successful career. He also played a role in the development of the famous Yellow Kid cartoon.