Collections of an Only Child: Seventy Years a Bibliophile, the Library of Justin G. Schiller

(London): Published by S.H. & E.A., 1840. 16mo. 48 leaves, with hand-colored lithographs printed on each page; printed instructions mounted to inner front wrapper. Original stiff marbled wrappers, chipping and wear along spine, extremities lightly worn.

Very rare and charming magic "blow book", used for sleight-of-hand or conjuring tricks. Blow books are one of the oldest known magic tricks, referenced as early as 1550, and that circulated widely throughout Europe and Asia with the rise of the printing press. Characteristic of these books, and as seen in this example, the volume is composed of a series of repeating images, with staggered tabs along the fore-edge of the volume corresponding to each set. When the magician riffles through the book, the contents appear to change depending on which tab is engaged. This particular example is notable for showing a caricature of Queen Victoria as the Queen of Hearts, and with her birth and marriage date captioned in the stone. Other images show a wolf in knight's armor pointing a spear toward a frightened cat, a Rowlandson-esque figure riding a pig, as well as others figures.

This example appears to be quite rare, with only this copy appearing in the auction record, and only one copy located on OCLC, at the Toronto Public Library. Library Hub notes a possible copy at the Bodleian Library.