Ricky Jay has one of the most desirable autographs of any living Magician today.  His signature is not easy to find, and it's usually quite expensive.  This Guide reproduces several authentic Ricky Jay autographs, most of which have been purchased on e-Bay the past few years.

Jay's popularity goes back decades and he spans many genres: magic, theatre, writing and acting.  I first discovered him in the 1970s through his book Cards As Weapons.  That book was a great inspiration for me as a young Magician.  It was witty, unconventional, even a little naughty, and I realized that Magicians didn't have to be squares.  The book also taught me how to throw playing cards with accuracy and distance.  I now teach those techniques in my own magic classes, and students think I'm awesome (thanks Ricky!).

Movie buffs also know about Jay through his acting.  He's been in James Bond's "Tomorrow Never Dies", "Boogie Nights" and the David Mamet films "House of Games", "Things Change", "Homicide" and "The Spanish Prisoner".

For years I searched for a Ricky Jay autograph, until I made my first acquisition from an autograph dealer in the 1980s.  The item below is a check Jay has endorsed on the back.  It came from the "Dinah!" show and was a reimbursement for expenses.

The next item is a signed book Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux of New York 1986 (ISBN 0-374-52570-6).  It's an interesting book about unique, eccentric and amazing entertainers, such as stone eaters, poison resisters, daredevils, etc.  The signature is inscribed to Bill.

The example below comes from the slim hardcover book Dice: Deception, Fate & Rotten Luck, published in 2003 by W. W. Norton & Company Ltd.  Jay has signed with initials "RJ", directly below that of the photographer Rosamond Purcell.  This is a cool artistic book filled with photos and stories about dice.

The final item is a signed Playbill program for the theater show "Ricky Jay On The Stem".  It is inscribed to "Joy".

Good luck with your own collecting of Ricky Jay's autograph.  Keep watching e-Bay constantly, because some real bargains slip through.  I've been lucky enough to buy his autograph for less than $20, and I still felt reluctant when I sold one for $150.

Better yet, go see Ricky Jay live if you get a chance.  He still does booksignings, lectures and theater shows on occasion.  Just ask him for an autograph!  It's more exciting than buying one.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this Guide.  If you have a few seconds more, please take a moment to leave feedback for me.  I'm trying to become one of e-Bay's top guide writers, and I need your vote.  If you have any updates to this Guide, let me know and I'll try to keep things current.  Have a happy e-Bay day!