October Legends and Americana Ending November 14th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2015
24 show boards, 22" x 28", purchased from the son of Herman L. Weber: "In the 1930's and '40's my father, Herman L. Weber, traveled with his magic stage show from coast to coast twice. Prior to his shows my father or his assistants would line up my dad's 24 showboards, "An Exhibit of Mystic Lore," in theatre lobbies or along the hallways of the colleges and schools where he performed. The heavyweight 22 x 28 inch matboards are dark gray in color, although they tend to appear brown under this lighting. An Exhibit of Mystic Lore is now 70 to 90 years old and some displayed items are yellowed by age or stained by deteriorating glue, yet many of the articles and photos are irreplaceable collectibles well worth having. Despite the passage of time, An Exhibit of Mystic Lore has not lost its capacity to entertain." A full set of scans of the showboards are available upon request. All the items are glued down to a board, but many of them will pop off easily. We have discussed the archive with a conservationist who works for many museums, and he felt the items could be removed for probably $50 a page.
Includes: Society of American Magicians card for Herman L. Weber, boldly signed by Harry Houdini as President of the Society dated 1919. This is the finest example that we have ever encountered of a Houdini signature.
Small card, all in Houdini's hand "Houdini, Monument 8260 278 W 113th St. 3.15 Tell em who you are El off at 110th" This could be a business card, although it has not been removed to inspect it, and is attached to a correspondence to Houdini's office on his letterhead.
Interesting and illustrated brochure about Houdini and his boyhood.
Colorful lobby card for a Houdini short film "The Grim Game".
Colorful Houdini advertisement offering $10,000 to any medium who could prove his craft.
New York Hippodrome program featuring an excellent portrait of Houdini.
Outstanding 18" x 10" oversized original photograph of the 1921 banquet for the Society of American Magicians. Photographed are: everyone who was anyone in magic at this time including Houdini, Thurston, Blackstone, Dunnenger, Hardine, and of course Weber himself.
Other items from the American Society of Magicians include other membership cards, and official correspondence on letterhead from 1918. There is a significant amount of autographed material. A letter from 1896 written by C. B. Shindel, with outstanding magic content. There is another letter from 1896 regarding the purchase of tricks and written to A. N. Lindermuth. Several additional photographs and letters from the 1890s including original photographs of some tricks,
One display card treats Black Magic and includes various printouts on the subject, with some early broadsheets.
There is a magnificent oversized photo as well as a telegram, signed by "Durbin". Also present on this card is an 1896 letter to Lindermuth from another magician, discussing Durbin, as well as an outstanding chromolithograph advertisement for Durbin.
A few other great magicians are represented by signed photos (a few of the greats) including McDonald Birch, Servias Leroy, Blackstone, and Meyerberg.
Very colorful letterheads of dealers of magic are on the card entitled "Magic Dealers, Old and New".
These are extremely collectible.
Equally attractive artwork is on the card entitled "Magic Catalogs" ranging from 25c to $1.50 each.
Letterheads (and in some cases, letters) include Blackstone, Keller, Thurston, Wilfred the Wizard, Amuso the Magician, Powell & Company, and Alexander.
Outstanding early magician advertising is represented by Thurston, Tarbell, Brush, Voorhees, and Barrington.
An interesting card titled "First Man Transported by Radio".
An excellent group of magicians business cards, includes Thurston, Jane Thurston (she takes after her dad) Laurant, Shulte - all told there are 26 cards.
A sheet of early Playbills includes Houdini from 1926, Blackstone, Thurston, Namreh, and approximately six others, and MUCH, MUCH more!
All told, this is one of the most interesting and artful collections we have had the privilege to handle, and is worthy of inclusion in a museum or a fine collection of entertainment memorabilia. Comes with letter of authenticity from University Archives.