RUCKER, Benjamin (1889-1934), attributed. Black Herman's Secrets of Magic-Mystery & Legerdermain. [sic] Chicago: A.F Seward & Co., c. 1938. 8vo (5.75 x 8.5 in.). Illustrated. (Brittle and evenly toned pages. Small tears to front flyleaf with repairs). Original wrappers. (Toning and water spots to front cover, partial separation, else very good). Fifteenth de Luxe Edition. Benjamin Rucker was the most well-known African American magician of the early 20th century, popular with both black and white audiences. He apprenticed to and succeeded Prince Herman, taking the stage name “Black Herman” in his honor. He specialized in prestidigitation, the Asrah levitation, and a “buried alive” routine which lasted three days, beginning with his “internment” in “Black Herman’s Private Graveyard.” He would then rise from the grave and walk to the performance venue to the rest of his show. When Rucker actually died on stage in 1934, the audience refused to leave believing this was part of his act. This book, consisting of astrological advice, numerology, basic magic tricks, folklore, and a semi-fictionalized autobiography, is reported to have been first published in 1925 and sold at shows. All known copies, however, have a 1938 copyright date, are stated “15th (de luxe) edition,” and were published in New York by Empire or Dorene. This copy has A.F. Seward publishing information pasted to title page. Seward (1877-1965) billed himself as “America’s Foremost Astrologer” publishing several books, with at least one published from the 3620 Fremont Street address in 1932, suggesting this copy of Black Herman’s Secrets was issued near the 1938 copyright date. Seward possibly bought surplus copies and inserted his own imprint for distribution. No other copies with the Seward imprint have been located. An interesting association copy with a known occultist of an uncommon work. Condition: Toning and water spots to front cover, partial separation, brittle and evenly toned pages. Small tears to front flyleaf with repairs, else very good.
RUCKER, Benjamin (1889-1934), attributed. Black Herman's Secrets of Magic-Mystery & Legerdermain. [sic] Chicago: A.F Seward & Co., c. 1938. 8vo (5.75 x 8.5 in.). Illustrated. (Brittle and evenly toned pages. Small tears to front flyleaf with repairs). Original wrappers. (Toning and water spots to front cover, partial separation, else very good). Fifteenth de Luxe Edition. Benjamin Rucker was the most well-known African American magician of the early 20th century, popular with both black and white audiences. He apprenticed to and succeeded Prince Herman, taking the stage name “Black Herman” in his honor. He specialized in prestidigitation, the Asrah levitation, and a “buried alive” routine which lasted three days, beginning with his “internment” in “Black Herman’s Private Graveyard.” He would then rise from the grave and walk to the performance venue to the rest of his show. When Rucker actually died on stage in 1934, the audience refused to leave believing this was part of his act. This book, consisting of astrological advice, numerology, basic magic tricks, folklore, and a semi-fictionalized autobiography, is reported to have been first published in 1925 and sold at shows. All known copies, however, have a 1938 copyright date, are stated “15th (de luxe) edition,” and were published in New York by Empire or Dorene. This copy has A.F. Seward publishing information pasted to title page. Seward (1877-1965) billed himself as “America’s Foremost Astrologer” publishing several books, with at least one published from the 3620 Fremont Street address in 1932, suggesting this copy of Black Herman’s Secrets was issued near the 1938 copyright date. Seward possibly bought surplus copies and inserted his own imprint for distribution. No other copies with the Seward imprint have been located. An interesting association copy with a known occultist of an uncommon work. Condition: Toning and water spots to front cover, partial separation, brittle and evenly toned pages. Small tears to front flyleaf with repairs, else very good.
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