Jean-Eugène ROBERT-HOUDIN

Banknote from the
«Banque des soirées fantastiques»
[«Bank of fantastic evenings»]
Paris [1845-1852]
| 23.8 x 14.6 cm | one leaf
Extremely rare invitation to the «fantastic evenings,» of the famous illusionist and magician Robert-Houdin, which were held in his theatre on Rue de Valois between 1845 and 1852. The document entitled «Bank of fantastic evenings: come and see us five hundred times» is lithographed on silk paper and has adhesive remains on the back of the four corners.
The invitation is magnificently framed by a decorative frieze of dancing playing cards and imps; two humorous notes are written on the drums: «the law punishes forced labor, any individu

First edition with covers and title dated 1859, printed in Blois by Lecesne, but certain copies with the same collation have come to our attention dated 1858.
Modern half mint-green shagreen over marbled paper boards, spine in six compartments with fleurons and gilt fillets, black morocco-effect shagreen title and volume labels, gilt friezes to head and foot of spine, gilt initials of a collector to spine, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, covers (slightly soiled) preserved.
Occasional spotting.