An old, but excellent New Yorker essay on magician Ricky Jay. He’s more than a magician: he’s a con-man, a bunco-steerer, a World Record card thrower, an actor (a mainstay of Mamet and PTA, and recently on Deadwood), a collector of rare books on magic, a magic historian, an artist, and perhaps the world’s best sleight-of-hand trickster. His approach to collecting rare books on magic reminds me of Mr. Norrell. A long article, but worth it if you’ve ever been intrigued by the confidence man personality, i.e., the ability to charm and disarm with some precise language, an enchanting gaze, and a supple wrist.