[SPIRITUALISM]. ROBINSON, William E. [A. K. A. Chung Ling Soo, (1861-1918)]. Spirit Slate Writing and Kindred Phenomena. [New York: Munn & Company, 1898]. 8vo. Frontispiece and numerous intertextual illustrations. 148, [3, ads] pp. Publisher's full red cloth, front board stamped in gilt and black, spine lettered in black, contemporary magic shop ("Martinka & Co.") label on title-page covering publisher and date; second page of ads covered with ad label for "Martinka & Co."

Some rubbing, soiling to boards, hinges starting, some soiling to endleaves and text, a few gutters overopened. Very good. FIRST EDITION OF THIS BOOK DEBUNKING FRAUDULENT MEDIUMS, WRITTEN BY ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS MAGICIANS OF THE DAY, AND SOLD BY THE OLDEST MAGIC COMPANY IN THE U. S. (once owned by Houdini). Robinson performed as Chung Ling Soo, in disguised "yellow face" and pretending to speak little English. He was enormously popular, and tragically died in a failed bullet catch trick.