The Oldest Trick in the Book

"He [Robert Read] began to develop a systematic catalogue of the illustrations of the cups and balls and cups and balls performers. This catalogue is now available in an edition of 300 copies and will be of interest above all to those who follow the history of magic. Unfortunately Bob Read did not live to see the publication of this book. He died on November 20, 2005 and left behind a large collection. It was auctioned on September 8, 2011 at Bloomsbury Auctions in London."--Foreword, p. 6.