Done
Chicago, IL, United States
Auction Details
Dai Vernon/Bruce Cervon Magic Collections
Potter & Potter Auctions
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 Jammed with images of Vernon and his contemporaries, it serves as a unique archive of mostly unpublished images from magic's golden age and beyond.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.
-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 Jammed with images of Vernon and his contemporaries, it serves as a unique archive of mostly unpublished images from magic's golden age and beyond.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.
TOP




![Collection of autographed greeting and birthday car: [Greeting Cards] Collection of autographed greeting and birthday cards sent to Dai Vernon. Many cards autographed by well-known magicians, and inscribed warmly to Vernon. Among the signatures](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941262_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)



![Full-length portrait of Houdini with Ching Ling Foo: Houdini, Harry. Full-length portrait of Houdini with Ching Ling Foo. [New York], 1922. The two magicians stand outside a theatre at Brighton Beach, where Foo was appearing. 3 ½ x 5 ". Some wear to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941266_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1261419040)

![Candid photograph of Magic's "Inner Circle.": [Inner Circle] Candid photograph of Magic's "Inner Circle." [New York], ca. 1945. Seated in this photo are Arthur Finley, S. Leo Horowitz, Al Baker, Charlie Miller and Dai Vernon. Cardini and Dr.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941268_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1261419107)
![Photograph of Frakson, Alan Wakeling and Dai Vernon: [It's Magic] Full length photograph of Jose Frakson, Alan Wakeling and Dai Vernon. Harley Pence, Los Angeles, 1970. Full-length photograph of the three stars of the 16th annual magic revue-show taken](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941269_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)

![Dai Vernon's Magic Castle Regalia.: [Magic Castle] Dai Vernon's Magic Castle Regalia. Including a lapel pin and tie tack bearing the logo of the Academy of Magical Arts, a business card case bearing the Magic Castle Logo, and a Magic](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941271_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)
![Real-photo postcard of Malini and Horace Goldin. [N: Malini, Max (Max Katz Breit). Sepia-toned real-photo postcard of Malini and Horace Goldin. [New York], ca. 1929. Likely taken in a photo booth on Coney Island, Malini sits behind the wheel of a car](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941272_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)

![Collection of Dai Vernon's membership cards.: [Membership Cards] Collection of Dai Vernon's membership cards. 17 cards, each bearing Vernon's name, and including cards for his membership in the Society of American magicians (three different),](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941274_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)

![Full-stage photograph of Okito & assistants, signed: Okito (Tobias Theodore Bamberg). Full-stage photograph of Okito and assistants, signed and inscribed. [London], ca. 1926. Okito strikes a magical pose as he stands between two assistants. All three](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941276_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1261419261)
![Collection of 50 periodicals featuring Dai Vernon: [Periodicals] Collection of 50 periodicals featuring Dai Vernon and his magic. From Vernon's collection, included are magazines that both profile Vernon, and those he contributed to. In many cases,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941277_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1261419380)
![12 Signed & inscribed photographs from the collecti: [Photographs] 12 Signed & inscribed photographs from the collection of Dai Vernon. Magicians represented in this lot include Harry Anderson & Leslie, U.F. Grant, Wallace Galvin (inscribed "To](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941278_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1261426208)
![Three wooden pocket tricks from the collection of D: [Pocket Tricks] Three wooden pocket tricks from the collection of Dai Vernon. Included are a Haenchen Rattle Box, Joe Berg's Mento Card Box (Haenchen, with original instructions and cards), and a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941279_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1261426278)
![Steel printing plate for Dai Vernon's business card: [Printing Plate] Steel printing plate for Dai Vernon's business card. Bearing the well-known text "Dai W. Vernon/The New York Card Expert" in script. Plate measures 3 ¾ x ¾" and is accompanied by](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941280_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1261426345)
![Collection of 12 Programs and Brochures from the co: [Programs] Collection of 12 Programs and Brochures from the collection of Dai Vernon. Including a Blackstone, Sr. souvenir and theatre program, Dante's "Trunk" book, Dante's 50 Tricks for Everyone,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941281_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)
![Collection of 12 Programs and Brochures from the co: [Programs] Collection of 25 programs and lecture notices featuring Dai Vernon. From Dai Vernon's personal collection, and including programs on which he appeared as the Harlequin (Sam Margules](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941282_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)


