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“The Grappler.” Harry Anderson’s Stage-Used Holdout. Owen Magic Supreme, Alhambra California, 1981. Brass knee-spread Kepplinger-type holdout owned and used by Harry Anderson in live shows in Las Vegas, in comedy clubs, and on both Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Hallmarked twice by Owen. Very good working condition. Accompanied by a letter of provenance written and signed by Anderson; an inscribed and signed copy of his book, Wise Guy, which details the routine he performed with the holdout; and a video entitled The Tricks of His Trade, which features Anderson performing the Grappler routine with this holdout. Though devices of this design were built to place cards into the hand of the operator or take cards from it, Anderson used it as the blow-off to a magic trick. The complete story behind his development of the routine is detailed in Wise Guy. Anderson, best-known for his successful, award-winning television career on programs including Cheers, Night Court, and Dave’s World, was a successful comedian and magician before rising to stardom on the small screen. His letter of provenance accompanying the device states that “[the holdout] was built by Les Smith of Owen Magic Supreme especially for me in 1981. Over the next two decades, the device was employed in numerous performances on stage, and featured in national television appearances such as Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show [with Johnny Carson], and my own magic special The Tricks of His Trade (1996). Two such holdouts were originally built for me by Les Smith, to assure the fragile device would be operational when needed. Later two “backups” were constructed, when it became clear Les would be retiring the device’ manufacture. This holdout is one of the two originals, distinguished by its red arm braces and holster strap. It was performed extensively...”
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| Estimate | $4,000 - $6,000 |
| Starting Bid | $2,000 |
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