"The Lives of the Conjurors," by Thomas Frost - 1970s Magico reprint - Very good HC
This work is considered to be one of the best early histories of the art of stage magic and conjuring entertainment. Frost, who was born in 1821, was a professional journalist and author who originally published "The Lives of the Conjurors" in 1876, through publication by Tinsley Brothers of London, England. He died in 1908. The work is one of the first full-length books dealing with the history of the art.
Like the original 19th century work, this 20th century edition is difficult to find in such excellent shape. Magico Magazine reprinted the volume nearly half a century ago at its headquarters in New York City; no date is given on the copyright page, but the book is near-vintage. This is a hardback edition, 360 pages in length, including an index, and in an easy-to-handle size - approx. 5.25"x7".
This copy is in very good condition, with firm binding, unmarked blue boards and clean, unmarked pages; the only exception is that the current owner's bookplate is inserted inside the front cover and the current owner's embossing seal is pressed into the title page. Two pages previously were dogeared. Otherwise, this copy remains entirely readable and makes an excellent reference for the student of this unusual art.
Note that no dust jacket was included with original publication. Book has been kept in a smoke-free environment.
Here is a quote from the preface: "The present volume closes the series of works on the entertaining classes which I contemplated when writing Circus Life and Circus Celebrities, the greater part of which was written before The Old Showmen and the Old London Fairs was commenced, though the publication of the latter work preceded that of the former. In embracing within the present volume the lives of the conjurors of every period and every country, while the record of shows and showmen is confined to London and the suburban districts, (which may now be said to embrace a circle of twenty miles across,) and that of circuses is limited to the United Kingdom, with a glance across the Atlantic, I have been influenced by considerations arising from the nature of the subjects, and concerning which it seems desirable to say a few words on the present occasion."