Title: Celebrations of curious characters /
Authors: Jay, Ricky.
Date: 2011
Publisher: McSweeney's Books,
Physical description: 111 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm
Language: English
LC classification: A
Abstract: Profiles unique entertainers, including musical prodigies, cannon-ball catchers, conmen, card cheats, and other side-show performers and oddities.
Contents: Mynah -- America's Sherlock Holmes -- Tossing the broads -- Time -- Chickens -- Contrast and compare -- Rubber suit -- the Cambrian Linguist -- Blind faith -- Twins -- Coffee -- Taking it on the chin -- Dirty Dick -- That Hamilton woman -- Living pictures -- Misconception -- Sharps and flats -- Jesus on a tortilla -- Reformed gamblers -- Master Crotch -- Gambling with superlatives -- Shor from a cannon -- Unparalleled sufferings -- Confessions -- Changing professions -- Bismarck -- Japanese translation -- Calculations -- Dickens the magician -- Peter Jackson -- Wagering on the inevitable -- Clean and dirty -- Liar's lariat -- Hands -- Monster -- Sandwich -- Bottle conjurer -- The deadwood speak -- Bees -- Times Square -- Model prisoner -- Rat patrol -- Stuck in my craw -- Major Semple -- Death by misadventure.
Notes: "For more than twenty years Ricky Jay has chronicled the exploits of remarkable and eccentric characters, a fascinating and forgotten pantheon of conmen and conjurers, academic animals, and rogues and rapscallions. Roll up, roll up ... They're all on the inside!"--Page 4 of cover. Includes index. Rare Book copy: Inscribed by the author to Jenny [Jennifer B.].
Subject headings (LCSH): Abnormalities, Human.; Animals--Abnormalities.; Biographies.; Curiosities and wonders.; Eccentrics and eccentricities.