Dai Vernon/Bruce Cervon Magic Collections 2010-01-30 Auction - 321 Price Results - Potter & Potter Auctions in IL
124: Dai Vernon's personal scrapbook and photo album61: Dai Vernon's Card Clip.39: Steranko, James. The Ultimate Move. An unpublished
Done
Chicago, IL, United States
Auction Details

Dai Vernon/Bruce Cervon Magic Collections

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 Jammed with images of Vernon and his contemporaries, it serves as a unique archive of mostly unpublished images from magic's golden age and beyond.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.
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Collection of magician's autographs and ephemera: [Autographs and Ephemera] Collection of magician's autographs and ephemera. From the collection of Bruce Cervon, including signatures and inscriptions from Cardini (on Cervon's business card),
0001: Collection of magician's autographs and ephemeraEst. US$200-US$300
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Bruce Cervon's Ball and Cone: Ball and Cone. Maker unknown, ca. 1970. Black leather cone and set of four billiard balls (two white, two red), with a cloth holder. Cone measures 3" wide at mouth, and 5 ¼" high. Good condition.
0002: Bruce Cervon's Ball and ConeEst. US$100-US$200
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Over 60 20th century magicians' brochures & ads: [Brochures and Advertising] Collection of over sixty 20th century magicians' brochures, photographs and advertisements. Included are examples for Doug Henning (an elaborate publicity package/embossed
0003: Over 60 20th century magicians' brochures & adsEst. US$50-US$100
Engraved portrait of Matthew Buchinger: Buchinger, Matthew. Engraved portrait of Matthew Buchinger, the "Little Man of Nuremburg." A large and handsome steel engraving of the celebrated performer who, despite having no hands or legs, was
0004: Engraved portrait of Matthew BuchingerEst. US$700-US$900Lot Passed
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Accumulation of dozens of card tricks & props from t: [Card Magic] Accumulation of dozens of card tricks and props from the collection of Bruce Cervon. Including specially-prepared decks, packet tricks and stage tricks using playing cards. Among the
0006: Accumulation of dozens of card tricks & props from tEst. US$150-US$250
Chop Cup. N.p., Al Wheatley, ca. 1950.: Chop Cup. N.p., Al Wheatley, ca. 1950. Tall bamboo cup painted with Asian motif for the traditional one cup and ball routine. Lacks balls. Very good condition. This is the original Chop Cup, sold and
0008: Chop Cup. N.p., Al Wheatley, ca. 1950.Est. US$150-US$250Lot Passed
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Chop Cup. Maker unknown (likely Inzani-Henley): Chop Cup. Maker unknown (likely Inzani-Henley), ca. 1965. Small tooled Italian leather Chop Cup bearing the image of a die stamped in gold. 3" high with an opening 2" in diameter. Good condition.
0009: Chop Cup. Maker unknown (likely Inzani-Henley)Est. US$40-US$80
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Over 100 close-up magic tricks and props from the c: [Close-Up Tricks] Over 100 close-up magic tricks and props from the collection of Bruce Cervon. Included are contemporary and vintage tricks from a wide variety of manufacturers. Included are The
0010: Over 100 close-up magic tricks and props from the cEst. US$200-US$300
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Coll. of 39 magic-related letters to Gerald Kosky: [Correspondence] Collection of 39 magic-related letters to Gerald Kosky. Including typed and holographic missives regarding magic tricks, gossip and news from T. Page Wright (scarce), Tom Boyer, Sid
0013: Coll. of 39 magic-related letters to Gerald KoskyEst. US$200-US$300
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Bruce Cervon's Cufflinks: Bruce Cervon's Cufflinks. Two sets of ornamental cufflinks, worn by Bruce Cervon during his many professional appearances for Hollywood's elite, at tradeshows and in hospitality suites, and during
0016: Bruce Cervon's CufflinksEst. US$150-US$250
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Bruce Cervon's Cylinder and Coins - Ramsay: Cylinder and Coins. Maker unknown (American), ca. 1980. Leather cylinder and gimmicked stack of four faux 1885 US dollar-size coins for John Ramsay's reputation-making coin effect. With a quantity of
0017: Bruce Cervon's Cylinder and Coins - RamsayEst. US$50-US$150
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Dice Boxes Given to Bruce Cervon by Dai Vernon.: Dice Boxes Given to Bruce Cervon by Dai Vernon. A pair of gifts from the great sleight-of-hand artist to his student, being two small leather boxes, one circular and cloth-lined made of Italian
0018: Dice Boxes Given to Bruce Cervon by Dai Vernon.Est. US$100-US$200
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Exacto Rising Cards made by Al Wheatley, ca. 1960: Exacto Rising Cards. N.p., Al Wheatley, ca. 1960. Bench-made device allows the magician to cause selected cards to rise from the pack (which may be examined before or after the effect). Similar to
0019: Exacto Rising Cards made by Al Wheatley, ca. 1960Est. US$75-US$150
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Paul Fox magic archive: blueprints and letters: Fox, Paul (Paul Fuchs). Archive of correspondence and magic-related blueprints from Paul Fox. Included are drawings for several magic props including an appearing bird cage, cake pan and other
0020: Paul Fox magic archive: blueprints and lettersEst. US$500-US$750
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Three Himber Wallets. From the collection of Bruce: Three Himber Wallets. From the collection of Bruce Cervon, three checkbook-style Himber wallets used to vanish, change or cause the appearance of objects. Each hand-crafted from black leather and
0022: Three Himber Wallets. From the collection of BruceEst. US$50-US$150