1. Adams (Graham) Mr. S.W. Erdnase his Book: a Lecture to the Magic Circle, number 2 of 6 copies , autograph limitation statement, mimeographed text, 48 fine mounted photographs by Fred C. Hodson, original cloth, 4to, 1932 § Erdnase (S.W.) Artifice, Ruse and Subtefuge at the Card Table, with the name of Dai Vernon on title-page, original cloth, 8vo, Chicago , 1902 ; and a folder containing "Further Thoughts on S.W. Erdnase", by Thomas A. Sawyer, Santa Anna, 1991, and other material relating to the identity of Erdnase, the Andrews murder investigation, and his death (3)
est. £250 – £350
The subect's real name was Edward S. Andrews, who formed his pseudonym by spelling his real initials and surname backwards. The first photograph in the Adams volume is an inscribed portrait of the author and photographer seated at a table, the remainder being close-ups of card manipulation. This copy was presented by the author for auction at the Magic Circle Complimentary Entertainment to William R. Minns. A copy of the programme for the event signed by Minns is loosely inserted in this copy. Another of the six copies was presented to the Magic Circle library, but there is no record of the other four.