Magic Auction Conjures Up $425,000

Extravaganza Of Vintage And Modern Magic Apparatus And Advertising Sold

Potter & Potter Auctions is pleased to announce the results of its sale held on June 17 offering 568 lots and realizing a 99 percent sellthrough rate with total gross of $425,000. All prices noted include the company’s 20percent buyer’s premium.

Posters promoting legacy performers of yesteryear took several of the top lot slots in this signature sale. Lot #12 traded hands at $45,600. This three-sheet, linen-backed poster of Harry Houdini with folded arms was printed by The Strobridge Litho. Co. in 1911. Its image was dubbed “Houdini for President” thanks to similarities in its design to political advertising of the era. “Ehrenerklärung! Im Namen des Königs Wilhelm, II. Kaiser v. Deuschland (Declaration Of Honor! In The Name Of King Wilhelm, II. Kaiser V. Germany)” made $36,000. This linen-backed poster was printed in Leipzig around 1902 by Atelier J. Zier. It pictured Houdini in handcuffs standing before a tribunal of judges, as helmet-clad police looked on. The poster “Thurston. Do the Spirits Come Back?” realized $5,280. This oversized, three-sheet stone lithographed poster was printed in Cleveland by The Otis Lithograph Co. around 1928. It pictured the illusionist conjuring spirits and demons from a skull clutched in his hands.

Pre-war apparatus made by legacy manufacturers was another premier category in this magicana auction. A checker cabinet was estimated at $4,000-$8,000 and scored $22,800. It was made in New York by Okito (Tobias Bamberg, 1875-1963) around 1922. It was detailed with painting and decals, a flared foot design, and a b rass maker’s plate.

A ringing alarm clock production stand, estimated at $1,000-$2,000, realized $13,200. It was made in New Haven, Ct., in 1939 by Petrie & Lewis. With this trick, six alarm clocks were produced from an