Gilderoy's Kite (1867)

[Bapopik at AOL.COM]

   DARE has 1869 for "higher than Gilderoy's kite," citing Mark Twain. This is in most of the word and phrase books, but I haven't see it used much anymore.


(AMERICAN PERIODICAL SERIES)
 The National Police Gazette (1845-1906), New York; Oct 5, 1867; Vol. VOL. XXIII., Iss. 0
  CHOSES DRAMATIQUE.; pg. 0_002, 1 pgs
("...could give us a modern version of the Temptation of St. Anthony, who:--'kept his eyes so firmly fixed upon his book that shouts of laughter sights or cries could over turn away his look,' until a little devil in the shape of a woman overcame his piety, and sent him flying higher than Gilderoy's kite.")