$1,300
McGuire, Eddie. The Phantom of the Card Table, original typed manuscript. [Rhode Island, ca. 1932]. Being the original nine-part manuscript revealing Scott’s method of second dealing, punch dealing, bottom deals, and the Blindfold Deal, slick ace formula, and work on the gamblers “bug.” Nine parts, supplemented by three typed manuscripts related to Dai Vernon’s interest in or inquiries in to Scott’s sleight-of-hand techniques. Forty-six typed 4to sheets, with hand-drawn illustrations, as issued. Accompanied by eleven 5 x 3” original silver print negatives showing Walter Scott demonstrating the various techniques the manuscript describes. Closed tears and wear evident; three negatives visibly marred; overall good condition. McGuire’s manuscript was first issued on application in typed manuscript form – and at an exceedingly high price of as much as $50, for the depression years – and it was not until the 1950s that it was published in book form. Even then, it was issued in extremely limited numbers. It was not until the 1960s that it received wider circulation thanks to the Gamblers Book Club of Las Vegas, which kept the Phantom in print for some 30 year. The manuscript offered here was typed by McGuire and presented to Cardini in the 1930s, and is one of the few originals to have survived the intervening years.
Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter
Date:
2013-04-06
