John Ayrton Paris¹ to Faraday   c.9 August 1856²

Dear Mr Faraday,

The first edition of my ‘Philosophy in Sport’ was published in 1825³; in which appeared an account of the Thaumatrope; but previous to that, I cannot say how long it had appeared in the toymarket. I was first induced to publish it, at the earnest desire of my late friend Wm Phillips⁴, who was the first person to whom I shewed it; & he undertook to get the subjects lithographed, & to arrange the sale of it. It was, of course, soon pirated, & spurious copies distributed. A large number was exported to India, but the Captain turned out a rogue, deserted his cargo, & has never since been heard of - so much for my first & last merchantile speculation. I however gained about £150 from the sale in this country, which was expended for educational objects in my family; so here then you have ‘a true and particular account of that wonderful phenomenon termed the Thaumatrope’, as the showman would say. I may add that I never put my name to it.

Yours very faithfully | J.A. Paris

The eighth Edition of Philosophy in Sport⁵ is now in the press.