Showing posts with label Auction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Auction. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Blackstone Auction by Potter and Potter

photo used with permission

On Oct 28, 2017, Potter and Potter will have another auction, this time The Blackstone Auction. The bulk of this auction comes from Dan Waldron's collection. And I should add, what a collection it is! Looking over the catalog, there are things here I didn't know still existed. I remember, the Blackstone Jr. Auction from a few years ago. There were a few Harry Sr. items in that auction. But this auction is mostly Harry Sr. with only a few things from Harry Jr. and then a whole lot of other historical  magic items as well.

Some of the highlights for me are the costumes. Wow! The Harry Blackstone Sr. tuxedo is remarkable because it looks JUST LIKE Harry Sr! You could make no mistake of who owned and wore this tuxedo. Much like Harry Jr who had very signature looking tuxedo jackets, this one has a particular cut to it that just screams BLACKSTONE!

There are many costumes from the female assistants too and they are incredible. One small let down, there are none of Adele Friel Rhindress's costumes. She was the Elusive Moth in the Blackstone show. But still the fact that these other costumes survive is amazing.

There are also two male tuxedo jackets that belongs to the male assistants. These come with a photograph with Harry and two gentlmen wearing the very same jackets. These would look amazing in a museum display recreating the image in the photograph!

My favorite costume here other than the Blackstone tux is the Lantern Jacket, worn during the Lantern Trick. This also comes with a photo of the costume as it appeared in the show.

I've got to admit, I'm also quite enamored with the artwork contained in the auction. There are a
number of really wonderful drawings and paintings. The standout painting I think would be the one which is featured on the cover of the auction catalog, by artist Salvatore Salla. Mr. Salla had a number of magic related paintings over the years and this one is wonderful.

I also really like the painting that former assistant and famous in his own right, George Johnstone painted (see image right). There are also two paintings by one of Blackstone's former wives, Inez Blackstone which are really amazing. I think those would have an even more collectable appeal because one depicts Blackstone and was painted by his wife!



Another one of the true gems of the auction are the Blackstone Scrapbooks. There is one that is listed as 'Pre-Frederick and Pre-Blackstone'. WOW! This was when Harry was still Harry Bouton, and performing with his brother in the act known as Straight & Crooked Magic. There are other scrapbooks as well, some from the 20s, some from the 40s, some from Blackstone assistants. Countless unpublished photos within.

You'll find photos, posters, personal belongings, props, like Blackstone Sr's birdcage and much much more. Then you'll also find a few items from Harry Jr., like Harry Jr's birdcage, a signed handkerchief,  and even a special Casadega Cabinet built by Bill Smith. There are 6 pages of Blackstone Jr. items.


Then we come to the section on apparatus. There are many great pieces, but hidden among them is a Houdini item. A pair of Houdini's Lily Irons, known as King Breakers. I'm going to have an article about 'King Breakers' on the blog in October, so I'm not going to say a lot about them, other than you should check them out.

For the Houdini fan, you'll find a few Houdini items in the books section. But when you get to the Ephemera section, you'll see a photo of Harry, that I sure don't recall, though maybe it is familiar to other folks. This photo is inscribed to Professor Hoffmann, of Modern Magic, Later Magic and More Magic fame.  There are a number of Houdini items including letters, other photos and something that solves a mystery that I had been working on. Again, there will be something on that next month. (Yes, expect a lot from me in October)

Also, of note in the Ephemera section are three works of art by Okito, called Marquetry panels which are inlaid wood used to create a picture. They are incredible.

Just when you think you've gotten to the end of the catalog, there is one more section, the final one is the Poster section. There are eleven pages of vintage magic posters. Some of the highlights here include Carter-Sawing in Half, Thurston Million Dollar Mystery, and Thurston Whippet, and a Chung Ling Soo/Suee Seen poster among many others.

All in all, another impressive catalog and will no doubt be another exciting auction by Potter and Potter. The auction takes place October 28th, 2017. Please visit their site for more information and to order the catalog or download it.

All the photos above come from the Blackstone Auction Catalog and are used with permission of Potter and Potter Auctions.


Tuesday, March 8, 2016

It's HERE It's HERE!!!! The new Potter & Potter Auction Catalog!


Potter and Potter has an auction of many Houdini items on April 9th. Their catalog is now available to download. I've ordered a printed version too, but if you just want to download and see what is available, now is your chance! http://www.potterauctions.com/auctions/upcoming

In addition, Haversat and Ewing is having a Houdini Birthday Auction on March 23-24. You can view their items here https://haversatewing.hibid.com/catalog/73383/houdinis-birthday-auction/ 

Lots of incredible items up for auction. Be sure you're registered so you can bid the day OF the auction.

Friday, January 15, 2016

HOUDINI BIRTHDAY AUCTION Announced


Haversat & Ewing Galleries, LLC announced they will be holding a Houdini Birthday Auction on March 23-24, 2016. Here is what their email says, "Handcuff Harry will celebrate his 142nd birthday this coming March 24th and in celebration, Haversat & Ewing Galleries will host a catalog auction featuring interesting items from his storied career. We have a number of great consignments from major collectors that we're sure Houdini aficionados will find inescapably interesting and desirable. In addition we have a great selection of unique photos, letters and conjuring collectibles from the greatest names in magic. The auction starts at 11:00 AM on March 23rd and ends at 5:00 p.m. March 24th. So join us as we celebrate this great magician! Preview available in March. "

Their website is http://www.haversatewing.com/ 

John Cox also mentioned another Houdini auction on via his website

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Magic Auctions Coming Soon


I just downloaded the catalog for the upcoming Potter & Potter Auction. It's filled with tons of magic apparatus and a great deal of books. As with any auction there are some really cool items in the mix. I'm partial to more of the unusual items and there are more than a few of those. One set of books caught my eye, which includes; Okito on Magic, Our Magic, Sachs Sleight of Hand, NEO Magic and several other books. The starting price is pretty low and I will say, that I paid close to the starting price for a single copy of NeoMagic a few years ago, so this lot is a steal. If you would like to check out a downloadable copy of the catalog or purchase a hard copy edition for yourself, go to
http://www.potterauctions.com/auctions/upcoming

Though it's not an auction, Lupe Nielsen of Nielsen Magic sent out an email a few weeks ago letting people know they were open to finding a buyer for their collection of Magic Posters. They wish to sell the entire collection. So the price is going to be high. But if you are someone with a big bankroll and would like one of the most incredible collections of vintage magic posters on the planet, then by all means contact Lupe. Serious inquiries only please. You can reach Lupe through their website http://nnmagic.com/index.htm

Friday, November 14, 2014

Magic Auction A Few Hours Away


November 15th, Haversat & Ewing Galleries will be holding an auction of some really great magic items. There are Houdini items, Blackstone Sr. and Jr. pieces, a Chung Ling Soo Poster, and some Kellar items as well. In addition there are quite a few books and various letters which will be in the auction.

My two favorite items: The Marlin Daily Handcuffs that were once Houdini's and The Stack of Fishbowls.....Ok, I'm an odd one, lol. There are some wonderful pieces in this auction. Good Luck to All the Bidders!

http://www.haversatewing.com/ Auction begins at 11am.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Potter & Potter Houdini Auction Catalog Is Now Available


Potter & Potter Auctions is having an incredible auction of Houdini items on August 23rd, 2014. The catalog is now available for download OR purchase. I just finished going through the catalog and my eyes are bugging out. The most incredible thing (and there are a LOT) is the Houdini Double Fold Death Defying Water Mystery Box!!!! Yes, the actual box. I had heard it was still around but had no idea where. Well, now it's up for David Copperfield, I mean, someone with lots of cash, to purchase.

Among the real gems is a costume belonging to Bess Houdini, several pairs of handcuffs, a film of Hardeen doing an Overboard Packing Crate Escape, and an unpublished manuscript by Houdini on Witchcraft. Oh what am I saying? Everything in that catalog is a gem! I can't wait to see what I'll enjoy loosing in that auction, lol. How is that for a positive attitude, lol. Houdini stuff tends to go pretty high.

IF you want to buy or download the catalog, go to this link http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=875574c47a99767fdc579a024&id=d7a10af7ee