Submitted by James Alan on
From Haversat & Ewing:
On March 24, 1874, Erich Weiss was born in Budapest to humble beginnings. Eventually he rose to fame and fortune as Harry Houdini the world renowned escape artist who "laughed at locksmiths." He also recognized the importance of collecting and preserving the history of conjuring. So, in honor of his 142nd birthday, Haversat & Ewing Galleries have assembled an Aladdin's chest of choice magic memorabilia from our nation's leading collectors which we will offer beginning March 23 and ending a day later on Houdini's birthday.
In this auction we offer you the files and posters of the late Roy Snyder, Past National President of the Society of American Magicians. Snyder passed away in 2015, after a lifetime in the entertainment business booking acts for S.A.M. national conventions and for the Keswick Theatre in Philadelphia. Snyder was close friends with photographer Irving Desfor and throughout his life Snyder purchased live-action photographs of magic's most famous personalities. This is an opportunity to get photos of Blackstone, Gwynne, Richiardi, Hugard, Mulholland, Kio, Dante, Vernon, Cardini and dozens of others. These photo files are often accompanied by programs, clippings, letters and supporting memorabilia. One unique lot from the Snyder collection is the contract between Kellar and Thurston.
One of the leading magic collectors and historians was the late Milbourne Christopher. He began auctioning his collection while alive and his wife Maurine continued that after his passing. Even though the majority of the collection was sold prior to her death in 2013, Maurine made previsions in her will for a number of special pieces to benefit the Christopher Foundation. Haversat and Ewing have been authorized by Christopher's legal representatives to offer these magic items for auction. The proceeds of the Christopher lots will go to support the Milbourne Christopher Foundation which annually recognizes the best and brightest talent in magic.
The remainder of the auction is comprised of choice conjuring memorabilia from a dozen of the nation's leading historians and collectors including very rare selections from the token collection of Randy Forgaard. You will delight at such rarities as a hand-made Christmas card by David Devant, John Mulholland's S.A.M. membership card signed by Houdini, a rare autographed Malini program, Fu Manchu broadsides and flyers, J.H. Anderson program, memorabilia of Alexander and Adelaide Herrmann and much more. We hope you enjoy the selection we've assembled and of course, welcome the opportunity to bring your items to auction. Thanks for your patronage and friendship.
David and TomPreview and catalog available in March.
