Malini, Jay wrote, was rarely featured on music hall or theater stages. Jay was so enamored of Malini that he devoted an entire chapter of his book, "Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women," to the man he described as the "last of the mountebanks." Dating to around 1916, it's one of only two known copies and estimated to fetch $15,000 to $20,000. A poster advertises Malini's appearance at King's Theatre in New York with a rounded portrait, medals on one lapel and touting performances before six heads of state. Closer to Jay's heart was the magician Max Malini of the early 20th century. Harry Houdini is ever present, an obligation of sorts to any collector like Jay. "The challenge was to find an institution that was interested not only in magic but also in circus, not only in books but also in posters and apparatus, and all of the elements of popular entertainment."ĭivided into 634 lots, Sotheby's estimates the collection at $2.2 million to $3.2 million, hoping for bidders from those inside Jay's world, magic admirers from afar and art enthusiasts on the hunt to decorate their walls. "It's really a collection of collections," Kiffer said ahead of the two-day live auction starting Wednesday. Selby Kiffer, Sotheby's international senior specialist for books and manuscripts, was one of two experts from the auction house to visit Verges at home in California and select what they wanted for the Ricky Jay Collection. Now, nearly 2,000 of more than 10,000 pieces that stuffed his Beverly Hill's house will make their way into the hands of those who care to bid during an unusual upcoming Sotheby's auction after Jay's widow, the Emmy-winning producer Chrisann Verges, turned them over. When he passed, he left behind a vast trove of rare books, posters, broadsides and other artifacts that honored many who came before him. Those were the things that interested the grizzled Ricky Jay, the sleight-of-hand artist, card shark, author, actor and scholar extraordinaire on all of the above who died in 2018 at age 72. Plus, it lets you create all kinds of different combinations with a wide variety of clothing styles to purchase and wear.NEW YORK - Conjurers, cheats, hustlers, hoaxsters, pranksters, jokesters, posturers, pretenders, sideshow showmen, armless calligraphers, mechanical marvels and popular entertainments. Its graphics are excellent and it comes with a huge number of different stories to play along with. Of course, that also means you're going to have your fair share of romantic encounters along the way. Thanks to your contacts, you'll get to go out with other famous people, star in movies and live the life of a true Hollywood celebrity. Little by little you'll make your way in the cruel world of L.A.Īs you level up earning more pay and increased status, you'll also meet new characters from the story. Thankfully, as you make your way up the ranks, you'll get better paying gigs that'll open even bigger doors. Watch as your character starts from the ground up, taking on new roles that'll pay you very little when you begin. Basically, it's up to you to customize your character anyway you want.įollowing along on this Hollywood adventure is really fun. You can even deck your character out with new clothes, including streetwear, nice shoes and other cool accessories. As you progress in the game, you'll earn cash that'll be handy to unlock new hairstyles, hair colors and make-up types. Making your way through the muddied waters of stardom is no easy task, but lucky for you, right from the start you're surrounded by true friends with excellent contacts.Īt the beginning, your hero is just like any average person. Hollywood Story is a casual adventure game where players take on the life of an aspiring Hollywood starlet.