Dobson’s Encyclopaedia extract. Philadelphia, ca. 1793

Dobson’s Encyclopaedia. Philadelphia: Thomas Dobson, ca. 1793. Being an extract of pages 577 – 598 and 755 – 776 from this work, encompassing the entries on “Mystery” and “Legerdemain”; accompanied by two copperplate engravings on the subject of legerdemain. Bound in brown cloth with calf spine, gilt stamped. 4to. With the bookplates of Harry Houdini and Joseph Dunninger, one endsheet signed by Dunninger. The same leaf bears an inked inscription stating, “From Thomas Dobson’s Encyclopedia, published in Philadelphia in 1793. This is the first printed description of conjuring tricks to appear in this country.”