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[LEWIS, Angelo Henry; as] Professor Hoffmann.
The Illustrated Book of Patience Games.
(From the German) Translated and Edited … Sixth Edition.
Attractive compendium of solo card games, compiled by Lewis, a London barrister who wrote on conjuring, games, tricks and puzzles under the name of Professor Hoffmann. His most famous work Modern Magic (1876), sold out an edition of 2,000 copies in six weeks, and Robert Toole Scott, the historian of British conjuring, observed that Hoffmann's influence was such that "the quantity and quality of trick and illusion has been most marked and conjurers have risen quickly in the estimation of the thinking portion of the public" (ODNB).
Octavo, original; blue cloth, title gilt to spine, spine and upper board with pictorial decoration in red and black. Three colour printed title page, illustrations printed throughout in red and black, text within red border. A little rubbed, some light foxing and browning, but overall very good.
