Magic: Houdini, Tomsoni, and More 2020-05-02 Auction - 587 Price Results - Potter & Potter Auctions in IL
Houdini, Harry (Ehrich Weisz). Signed Photograph ofJohnny Thompson’s Devant Award. London 2015. TheMoretto, Toni (Italian 1929-2011). The Great Tomsoni &
Done
Chicago, IL, United States
Auction Details

Magic: Houdini, Tomsoni, and More

Our May auction features a strong selection of Houdiniana, including rare postcards, signed photographs, early letters, programs, and memorabilia. Other highlights include ephemera from the careers of Chung Ling Soo, Jose Frakson, and Harry Kellar. Memorabilia and magic tricks from the career of Johnny Thompson, a/k/a The Great Tomsoni, will round out the sale. Among these items will be his awards, props, hairpieces (!), and show-used costumes.
Auction Curator:
Gabe Fajuri
Gabe Fajuri
President
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Albini, Herbert. Albini’s Own Egg Bag. Circa: Albini, Herbert. Albini’s Own Egg Bag. Circa 1900. Red cloth bag that allowed Albini, who featured and popularized the effect, to vanish and reproduce, under test conditions, a white
0001: Albini, Herbert. Albini’s Own Egg Bag. CircaEst. $300-$600
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Book of Spells. Virginia: Collectors’ Workshop: Book of Spells. Virginia: Collectors’ Workshop, ca. 1999. Thick faux book of spells with gilt-decorated cover for use as a case for magician’s props. On command, the lid of the book opens
0011: Book of Spells. Virginia: Collectors’ WorkshopEst. $500-$750
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Bran Vase. European ca. 1900. Nickel-plated vase: Bran Vase. European, ca. 1900. Nickel-plated vase changes bran or confetti into candy or even a live rabbit. Cast metal finial. Height 11 ¾”. Faint dents.
0012: Bran Vase. European ca. 1900. Nickel-plated vaseEst. $250-$350
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Cage Production Table. Circa 1930. Giant brass cage: Cage Production Table. Circa 1930. Giant brass cage with live birds is produced from an empty foulard draped over the magician’s arm, then set on a table before him. Spring-loaded mechanism in
0013: Cage Production Table. Circa 1930. Giant brass cageEst. $1,000-$2,000
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Cage Production Box. London: Hamley’s ca. 1920: Cage Production Box. London: Hamley’s, ca. 1920 (repainted by Milson-Worth ca. 2005). An empty metal box is filled with handkerchiefs or other articles, which, when reopened, have transformed
0015: Cage Production Box. London: Hamley’s ca. 1920Est. $400-$600
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Fred Kaps’ Working Performer’s Card to: Fred Kaps’ Working Performer’s Card to Wallet. London: Ken Brooke’s Magic Studio, ca. 1975. Gimmicked leather wallet allows the conjurer to produce a chosen, signed card to appear
0016: Fred Kaps’ Working Performer’s Card toEst. $100-$200
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Changing Canister (Niffen Tube). California:: Changing Canister (Niffen Tube). California: Milson-Worth, ca. 2005. Gleaming chrome tube with screw-on cap switches, produces, or vanishes liquids or objects placed inside. Height 9 3/4”. With
0017: Changing Canister (Niffen Tube). California:Est. $200-$300
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Coin Casket. New York: Charles Kalish ca. 1976. Four: Coin Casket. New York: Charles Kalish, ca. 1976. Four coins vanish one at a time by opening and closing the lid. Finally, all four reappear simultaneously. Machined brass, covered with tooled red
0018: Coin Casket. New York: Charles Kalish ca. 1976. FourEst. $1,000-$2,000
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Crossini, James. “Houdini” Escape Trunk of: Crossini, James. “Houdini” Escape Trunk of James Crossini. A finely made mahogany “Brooks” trunk bound with brass hardware, owned and used by James Crossini, a British escape
0019: Crossini, James. “Houdini” Escape Trunk ofEst. $2,500-$5,000
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Eperny, Charly. Eperny’s “Magic: Eperny, Charly. Eperny’s “Magic Washing” Dove Pan. Vienna: S. Klingl, ca. 1920. Large nickel-plated steam iron changes items placed inside (dirty or scorched handkerchiefs become
0024: Eperny, Charly. Eperny’s “MagicEst. $400-$600