Magic At Home - A Book of Amusing Science

(London: Cassell 1890). First UK Edition. Octavo, original red beveled cloth, pictorially stamped in black and gilt. First edition, with 112 wood-engravings of balancing and sleight-of-hand tricks, using objects found in the household. Magic at Home is a "free translation of the Science Amusante of Arthur Good [1890]." Each of its 100 demonstrations "embodies a distinct scientific reaction… often illustrating, in a magical or quasi-magical form, the operation of some natural law." 16-page publisher’s catalogue at rear, dated 8.90. Black end-papers. A VG (or slightly better) copy with pushing at the spine tips and toning to the spine. What differentiates this copy from the norm, however, is that the hinges are firm with no splitting whatsoever. A nicer copy than normally encountered and in bright, attractive, condition. The First Edition from 1890 (which this is) is "Rare". No D/W.