JAY'S JOURNAL OF ANOMALIES
New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001. First Edition. Hardcover. Inscribed by Ricky Jay to Eric Idle on the half-title. Small quarto. Original brown paper-covered boards, with decorative bronze stamping. A near fine copy in a near fine dust jacket with some light fading along the extremities.
A gathering of all sixteen issues of Jay's Journal of Anomalies, with significant new material and illustrations. In delectably deadpan prose, Jay (1946-2018) explores the history of bizarre entertainments, from dogs stealing acts from other dogs to an anthropological hoax involving the only survivors of a caste of ancient Aztec priests. He also explains how wags since the sixteenth century have cheated at bowling, delves into the ancient relationship between conjuring and dentistry, and chronicles the exploits of ceiling walkers and human flies.
From the library of revered English actor, comedian, musician, and writer Eric Idle, accompanied by a letter of provenance. Idle (b.1943) is a founding member of the British comedy troupe Monty Python, as well as the parody rock group The Rutles, and is the writer of the music and lyrics for the hit Broadway musical Spamalot. Near fine / Near fine. Item #75562
Price: $400.00