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 Jammed with images of Vernon and his contemporaries, it serves as a unique archive of mostly unpublished images from magic's golden age and beyond.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 Jammed with images of Vernon and his contemporaries, it serves as a unique archive of mostly unpublished images from magic's golden age and beyond.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




![Six television scripts owned and used by Dai Vernon: [Television Scripts] Six television scripts owned and used by Dai Vernon. For his roles as part of various programs. Included are scripts for, Mission: Impossible ("The Emerald," 1967), The Ghost and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941286_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1261426336)

![Photograph of Harry and Frances Usher, signed and: Ushers, The. Photograph of Harry and Frances Usher, signed and inscribed to Dai Vernon. Wilson, [New York], 1931. Handsome ¾ length photograph of mindreaders Harry and Frances Usher, dressed as](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941288_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)






![Dai Vernon European Tour 1955. London, [1955].: Vernon, Dai. Dai Vernon European Tour 1955. London, [1955]. Pictorial wraps, illustrated. 8vo. Extremities worn and corners chipped, otherwise good condition. Signed by Vernon. See inside front](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941295_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)


![The Famous $25 "Dee-Vee" Manuscript of Exclusive C: [Vernon, Dai and Faucett Ross] The Famous $25 "Dee-Vee" Manuscript of Exclusive Card Mysteries. N.p., n.d. (ca. 1934). Publisher's orange wraps, illustrated. 4to. Significantly tattered and worn at](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941298_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1261426519)







![½ length photograph of Vernon, signed and inscribe: Vernon, Dai. ½ length photograph of Vernon, signed and inscribed. G.F. Bartlett, [London], 1959. The iconic photograph of Vernon as an older man, cigarette in hand, as used by Harry Stanley on the](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941306_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)
![Oversized color portrait of Dai Vernon. [Los Angel: Vernon, Dai. Oversized color portrait of Dai Vernon. [Los Angeles], 1968. Full-color bust portrait of a smiling Vernon, head turned, from his prime years at the Magic Castle. Initialed and dated](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941307_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)
![Oversized studio portrait of Dai Vernon. [Los Ang: Vernon, Dai. Oversized studio portrait of Dai Vernon. [Los Angeles], 1965. A handsome bust portrait of Vernon in profile taken in 1965, two years after he settled in Los Angeles. Signed by the](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/20344/6941308_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70)
