THURSTON, Howard (1869-1936). My Life of Magic. Philadelphia: Dorrance and Company, [1929]. 8vo. Illustrated with 14 plates. [275] pp. Publisher's full green cloth, front board and spine stamped in gilt (lacks dust jacket).

Spine sunned and soiled, gilt on spine tarnished, boards worn, soiled, endleaves a bit offset, a few gutters overopened, text a bit toned, and occasionally soiled. Good. FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING, PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY THURSTON TO JOHN NEVIL MASKELYNE'S GRANDSON, JASPER, ON THE DEDICATION PAGE: "For Jasper Maskelyne with most respectful memoria of your Father Cordially Howard Thurston March/30". Jasper (1902-1973), grandson of John Nevil Maskelyne and son of Nevil Maskelyne, was a successful stage magician in his own right, and is famous for creating subterfuge and misleading intelligence on behalf of British Intelligence during World War II (although this has come into some question of late). A superb association copy from one legendary magician to another.