Dai Vernon (1894 - 1992), was widely regarded as one of the most influential magicians of the 20th century, a revolutionary figure whose long life and career touched nearly every important magician of the century. Many of his personal effects will be included in the auction. Highlights include:
-Vernon's prop case, including apparatus (cards, coins, Malini Egg Bag, Holdout, gaffs, silhouette shears and more) and tricks used by Vernon.
-Vernon's first and most personal scrapbook, begun upon his emigration to New York City in 1915. Jammed with images of Vernon and his contemporaries, it serves as a unique archive of mostly unpublished images from magic's golden age and beyond.
-In 1933, Vernon was one of an elite group of magicians elected to membership in the Academy of the Art of Magic. The medallion bearing Vernon's initials and the Academy's logo will be offered in the sale. Recently cited by Magicol, journal of the Magic Collectors' Association, as one token "you will never see," this example is one of three known to exist.
-Bruce Cervon (1941-2007) moved to California from Ohio in the mid-1960s to study with Vernon. His long career included appearances before Hollywood's elite, as well as prestigious corporate clients. Items from his private library, including unique annotated manuscripts, "underground" texts on sleight-of-hand (privately circulated, limited editions), and apparatus from his 40+ year as a professional entertainer (including his parlor and trade show acts) will be offered.
-Of specific interest to scholars will be the sale of Cervon's correspondence. Countless letters from magicians detail not only gossip and personal information, but the finer points of various tricks and magic routines.
