Mephisto’s Firecracker. New Haven, Petrie & Lewis (P&L), ca. 1939. A large burning firecracker vanishes from a nickel plated case, and in its place appears a vanished American flag. The cracker reappears hanging from the back of an audience volunteer, then explodes with a loud noise in his hands. With all original accessories, including exploding caps, fuses, and original box. Spring clip shows wear to finish, else very good. Scarce. Although this prop was manufactured by the firm for over 20 years, it is one of the most difficult of all P&L products to locate, especially with all of the accessories and original box. In the 1930s, the apparatus sold for the handsome sum of $16.00 – the equivalent of $250 when adjusted for inflation. See next lot.