Celebrations of Curious Characters

Celebrations of Curious Characters unlocks the personal treasures of Ricky Jay, a master storyteller, historian, and one of the finest sleight-of-hand artists in the world. This captivating work, adapted from his acclaimed radio series “Jay’s Journal of the Air,” offers delightful one-page stories about extraordinary performers, including limbless jugglers, banjo-playing birds, and Anglo-Texan saxophone-playing Siamese twins. Each anecdote is complemented by stunning engravings, mezzotints, and broadsheets from Jay’s impressive collection.

Discover a rich tapestry of engaging tales covering a wide range of subjects: musical prodigies, cannonball catchers, con artists, card sharps, and even performing politicians. Among the fascinating characters featured are a man who constructed a model of Lincoln Cathedral from over a million bottle corks, a woman who was perpetually pregnant for six and a half years, and a theatrical strongman who became a renowned Egyptologist. The book also includes intriguing digressions on themes like time, money, and the language of thieves.

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