9 minute read
Houdiniana Sale To Feature Historically Important Materials
Unpublished Documents, Props, And Personal Relics From Legacy Magician To Sell April 8
Potter & Potter Auctions is pleased to announce a 345-lot sale to be held on Saturday, April 8, starting at 10 a.m. CDT. This event, featuring Harry Houdini (born Erik Weisz, 1874–1926) themed merchandise, will be held live at Potter & Potter’s gallery in Chicago, Ill. It will also be live-streamed at www.potterauctions.com. Phone and absentee bids are welcome.
Advertisement
The unique collection of Houdini’s signature apparatus make up several of the top expected lot slots. Houdini’s strait jacket escape jacket is estimated at $50,000$100,000. This heavy canvas jacket is reinforced with leather across the neck, back, arms, and waist. The fabric is worn from use but overall intact and well-kept. This remarkable piece of magicana history is accompanied by numerous documents, newspaper articles, and photographs tracing the ownership of the jacket from Houdini to his brother, Hardeen, and then to Hardeen’s assistant, magician Armand Landry. Houdini’s packing crate is estimated at $40,000-$80,000. This ca. 1915 wooden crate was used by Houdini to transport his props and personal articles on two transatlantic voyages. It retains numerous trip labels as well as a notation in Houdini’s hand, reading, “All Strait Jackets, Oct. 1920.” It is accompanied by a protective wooden and plexiglass display stand. The crate comes with a COA from Sidney Radner, a former owner and a noted Houdini collector. This crate was among the original Houdini memorabilia featured on the NBC Television special “Houdini: Unlocking His Secrets” and was exhibited for many years at the Magic and Movie Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Nev.
Houdini’s “spirit cabinet” escape is estimated at $30,000-$60,000. This furniture-grade hardwood constructed prop is outfitted with brass handles and locks. In performance, Houdini was placed atop a short fourlegged base, and then a series of four open boxes was lowered over him, one at a time, each successive section being locked and secured to the others below it. Once enclosed, four separate metal rods were lowered through holes in the apparatus, further locking them together. Even so, after being only briefly concealed, Houdini “dematerialized” from the device, which, when examined by a committee from the audience, was shown to still be solidly and securely fastened together. This prop comes with a COA by Houdini collector Sidney Radner, a former owner of the device, and a photograph of the concealed internal mechanism.
Extraordinary posters and broadsides promoting Houdini appearances are also well represented in this sale. “Harry Houdini King of Cards” is estimated at $12,000$18,000. It was printed in Chicago by National Printing and Engraving around 1898. This half-sheet, linen-backed, color poster was used by Houdini as a young performer and features his bust portrait at the center and vignettes depicting his facility with a deck of cards above and below. This is one of the first posters produced to advertise the magician just before he attained fame. “The World Famous Houdini/Master Mystifier” is estimated at $6,000-$8,000. This ca. 1925
Continued on page 10
View Website for Terms, Photos & Online Bidding. Auctions ONLINE ONLY AUCTION SALE
Bidding Ends Wed. 4/12/23 Starting @ 5PM. Conducted
Items located @ the A&M Auction Facility, 8000 Esham Road,
75+ Lots of Sterling Silver. Lg Selection of Quality Designer Glass/China, Furniture, Art, Collectibles,
Auctioneers Note: Folks this sale has a lot to offer including the largest selection of sterling silver we have ever offered in a single sale. The largest selection of QUALITY glass and china we have offered in more than 15 years! Not to mention Eastern Shore quilts, coverlets, furniture & more. Over 800 lots to choose from. Sale has something for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to pay the prices you want to pay on the QUALITY merchandise you can only find at an A&M Auction Sale! 1999 Corvette Convertible: Very clean 1999 Chevrolet Corvette Estate Vehicle, Cortez Silver with black top and black leather interior, V8, automatic, P/W, P/L showing just 52,060 miles. Garage kept. Clear MD Title. Sterling Silver: Lot #2341 – Traylot of 9 Sterling Napkin Rings. Various makers. 5.95 T. Oz. +/- in weight. Lot #2342 – Traylot of Sterling items to include: Gorham Baby Cup, Covered master salt w/spoon, 2 Individual covered salts, 2 Small spoons. (7.35 T. Oz. +/-). F. B. Rogers Silver Co., Small round Stieff Tray, S. Kirk Footed Bowl & Lunt Baby cup (4.14 T. Oz +/-). 6” Bud Vase w/Cross Makers mark & #776-6 (2.21 T. Oz +/-), Weighted Sterling walking cane handle (5.49 T. Oz), Weighted Creamer (2.84 T. Oz). Total Weight =22.03 T. Oz +/- (Includes 2 weighted pieces.) Lot #2343 – Traylot of Sterling Salt & Pepper Shakers to include: 5 by Crown, Cosby & Empire (12.48 Weighted T/ Oz +/-), Intl. Sterling Salt or Pepper (1.95T. Oz +/-), 4 Crown weighted Sterling Salt/pepper shakers (12.46 T. Oz +/- weighted), 12 Small Sterling S&P shakers (2.10 T. Oz +/-) Lot #2344 – Traylot of Sterling Handled Serving pieces to include: Frank Whiting meat holder (5.93 T. Oz +/-), Carl Gran Germany Scissors, Sterling handles shears (8.81 T. Oz +/-), Stieff spatula style serving Piece and Sterling Handled cake server (5.62 T. Oz +/-) & 2 S. Kirk & Sons Sterling handled serving knives (7.19 T. Oz +/-). All will have stainless blades/ components. Lot #2345 – Traylot of Sterling Spoons to Include: 6 R.W. & S. marked Sterling spoons (3.93 T. Oz +/-), 4 Sterling children’s Spoons & 1 Fork – Various makers (2.97 T. Oz +/-), 3 Sterling Souvenir spoons (1.91 T. Oz +/-) = 8.1 T. Oz Total Weight +/-. Lot #2346 – Traylot of Sterling Spoons to include: Stieff Rose Salad Fork & Spoon (4.42 T. Oz +/-), Whiting – Kings Court & Kirk Mayflower Spoons (3) 4.96 T. Oz +/-), Stieff Sterling Spoon #6119 (2.85 T. Oz. +/-), Bag of Misc Sterling Spoons/Tongs (2.41 T. Oz +/-), Coin Silver Spoon (2.23 T. Oz +/-) = Total Weight 16.87 T. Oz. +/-. Lot #2347 – Traylot of 8 Misc. Maker Sterling Specialty Spoons, Ladles, forks (5.14 T. Oz. +/-), Sm. Sterling handled serving knife (1.16 T. Oz). Lot #2348 – Traylot of 19 Sterling marked Napkin Rings by Various makers: Various styles & shapes. (11.76 T. Oz +/-) Lot #2349 – Traylot of 11 Sterling/Coin Silver Spoons, fork & knife to include: 4 Stieff spoons (3.19 T. Oz +/-), 3 spoons, 1 Fork, 1 Knife by Manchester & Towle (3.65 T. Oz +/-), Two 1830’s H. J. Pepper Delaware Coin Silver Spoons (1.03 T. Oz +/-). Total Weight = 7.87 T. Oz. Lot #2350 – Traylot of Sterling Serving Spoons & Knife to Include: Gorham Spoon (2.08 +/-), W.A.G Spoon (3.66 +/-), D.H. Marked Spoon (2.65 +/-), Sterling Ladle (5.25 +/-), G. Lanz serving knife (1.01 +/-). Total Weight = 14.65 T. Oz +/-) Lot #2351 – 3.75” Sterling Handled Basket. Marked “311 ? over M” (1.49 T. Oz. +/-) Lot #2352 – 6 unmarked Candle Stand inserts. Not Marked Sterling (5.21 T. Oz +/-) Lot #2353 – Two 3 Arm Anston Sterling Candelabras w/Weighted bases (21.97 T. Oz +/-) Lot #2456 – 3 Sterling items: Caldwell & Co Sauce Boat #91 (5.46 T. Oz +/-), 7/16 Pint Hallmarked Sterling Sauce Boat #A9164 (6.72 T. Oz +/-), Priesner Sterling baby cup (1.5 T. Oz +/-). Total Weight = 13.68 T. Oz. +/-. Lot #2457 – 59 Pc Alvin Chased Romantique Sterling Flatware Set. (Sterling Only Weight = 68.13 T. Oz +/-). 12 Additional Diner Knives Have Sterling Handles & Stainless Blades (25.83 Additional T. Oz. +/-). In Fitted flatware paws on “F” #1492 (6.79 T. Oz +/-), Sterling 5.5” Marked Heart shaped Monogramed tray (2.12 T. Oz +/-). Total Weight = 8.91 T. Oz. Lot #2464 – 6” x 3.5” Silver Box with Wood Liner. Marked “Silver 950”. 9.3 T. Oz +/- (Includes wood weight) Lot #2465 – Unmarked 3” x 4.5” Hinged Silver Box (5.9 T. Oz +/-) Not marked Sterling. Lot #2466 – 6.5” Wallace Sterling dish (2.33 T. Oz +/-), Two Webster Sterling Strainers (2.24 T. Oz +/-), Handled Hallmarked Sterling strainer (0.50 T. Oz., +/-). Total weight = 5.07 T. Oz. +/-. Lot #2467 –Sterling Plate/bowl to include: 9.5” Gorham plate #345 (8.66 T. Oz. +/-), 6” Wallace bowl #H105 (3.01 T. Oz. +/-) Total Weight = 11.67 T. Oz +/-) Lot #2468 – Three Sterling Silver bowls to include: 7.25” x 5.25” Sterling footed Bowl #4942S 6.61 T. OZ. +/-), 5” x 3.5” Sterling Footed bowl #2174 (2.24 T. Oz +/-), Stieff Sterling Paul Revere reproduction bowl #006. (3.57 T. Oz. +/- ). Total Weight = 12.42 T. Oz. +/- Lot #2469 - 6” Allan Adler Sterling Covered syrup. (12.13 T. Oz. +/-) Lot #2470 – 175 Pc. Whiting Sterling Flatware Set sold by Bailey, Banks & Biddle. (154.35 T. Oz. +/-). Additional 15 Pcs of Sterling Handled Knives/Serving pieces with Stainless Blades. Additional 35.05 T. Oz. in weight. Lot #2471 – 18 Sterling/Coin Silver Spoons to include: 6 Jasper Stone Coin Silver spoons (3.9 T. Oz. +/-), 6 L.B.H Monogramed coin Silver grapefruit spoons (3.99 T. Oz), 4 Burrows “H” Monogramed spoons (Look like coin silver bot no marked – 1.77 T. Oz.), 2 Sterling marked spoons (1.92 T. Oz. +/-) Total Weight 11.58 T. Oz. +/-. Lot #2472 – 9” by 3,5” Towle Sterling Paul Reverre Reproduction bowl. Engraved “1959” (10.99 T. Oz., +/-) Lot #2473 – Stainless De-Luxe Mother of Pearl Handled 6 Pc. Knife & 6 Pc Fork Set. In 2 clamshell style cases. Lot #2474 – 3 Sterling Trays/Bowl to include: 9.5x6” Rectangular Fish tray (5.81 T. Oz. +/-), 6 x 8” Sterling marked oval plate (3.68 T. Oz. +/-), 5x7” International #115Oval bowl (2.53 T. Oz. +/-) Total Weight = 12.02 T. Oz. +/-. Lot #2475 – Five 6” Sterling marked plates by Gorham, Alvin & Anston. (12.55 T. Oz. /-) Lot #2476 – 3.5” x 8” Sterling Weighted reticulated bowl. (8.1 T. Oz +/- with weighted base). Lot #2478 – 8 Sterling spoons & 5 Sterling forks to include: 6 H. O. Hulbert& Co spoons, S. Kirk & Son Spoon, R. W. & S Spoon (4.85 T. Oz +/-), 5 Misc Sterling Forks (5.38 T. Oz., +/-). Total Weight 10.23 T. Oz +/-. Lot #2479 – 6” Wallace Grand Baroque Sterling Bowl. 2.93 T.
+/-), 4 Bailey, Banks & Biddle marked Sterling serving spoons (7.92 T. Oz., +/-) Lot #2486 – Three Sterling Bowls to include: 8.25 x 6” Marshall Field & Co Oval Tray (5.1 T. Oz. +/-), 8” x 4” Gorham Oval tray (3.20 T. Oz., +/-), 6.25 x 4.25” Gorham Fairfax Octagonal bowl. (3.31 T. Oz. +/-). Total Weight = 11.63 T. Oz. +/- Lot #2487 – 3 Pc Sterling Marked Tea pot, Creamer & Sugar #341. (12.15 T. Oz., +/-) Lot #2488 – Two Clam shell decorated Individual Salts with Sterling marked spoons. #S3107 marked on Salts. Lot #2619 – 25 Mother of Pearl Handled knives to include: 7 by Bridgeport Knife Co., 6 by Universal, 12 by English Maker with writing in English script. Lot #2620 – 54 Pc. R. W. & S. Sterling Flatware Set. 53.2 T. Oz Sterling Weight +/-. Additional 6 Dinner knives with Sterling Handles/Stainless Blades (11.95 T. Oz +/-) Lot #2621 – 3 Sterling Rimmed Etched glass plates to include: One 8” by Wallace (8.23 T. Oz +/- Includes Glass weight) & Two 6.5” by Frank Whiting & Co (8.24 T.Oz. +/- Includes Glass Weight) Lot #2622 – Four Sterling Bowls to include: a 4” x 2.5” Towle Paul Revere Reproduction Bowl (1.8 T. Oz. +/-), a 4” x 2.25” S. Kirk Bowl (2.84 T. Oz. +/-), a 4.5 x 2.75” Paul Revere #680 bowl (3.74 T. Oz., +/-) & a 6.75 x 3.75” Priesner Bowl (8.60 T. Oz. +/-). Total weight of 4 bowls is 17.0 T. Oz +/- Lot #2624 – 47 Pcs of Lunt – William & Mary Sterling Flatware (45.06 T. Oz. +/-) in Fitted case. Additional 8 Sterling Handled knives with Stainless Blades (Additional 15.08 T. Oz +/-) Lot #2624A – 8.5” Tall E. Caldwell & Co Sterling Vase #2088 (7.60 T. Oz +/- with probable weighted base) Lot #2625 – 48 Pcs Gorham Pat. 1895 Sterling Flatware (63.23 T. Oz. +/-) in fitted case. Additional Stainless Bladed knives with Sterling Handles (39.35 T. Oz. Additional weight). A few mixed in Pieces. Lot #2627 – 5 Pc. Lotus Sterling Tea/Coffee Set (86.09 T. Oz. +/-) to include: 9” Tall 2.5 Pint Pot. (25.47 T. Oz +/-). 7” Tall 2.5 Pint Pot (26.0 T. Oz. +/-). 5.5” Tall Covered Sugar (14.84 T. Oz +/-), 5” Handled creamer (10.54 T. Oz., +/-), 3.75 T. Oz. Open Sugar 9.24 T. Oz +/-) All marked #S212 “Engraved – Ralph J. Brown & Halen Mabel Hastie 1918-1943” Lot #2628 – 52 Pcs Kirk Stieff Puritan Pattern (1922) Sterling flatware (62.0 T. Oz. +/-) + Additional 9 Pcs with Sterling Handles/Stainless Blades (Additional 22.77 T. Oz +/-) Lot #2629 – 19 Sterling Spoons to include: 11 Spoons marked Pat. 1912 with 11 in Oval (12 T. Oz. +/-), 6 Towle Spoons Pat. 1932 (5.12 T. Oz. +/-) & 2 Towle 1961 Vespera Spoons (1.94 T. Oz +/- ). Total Weight: 19.06 T. Oz., +/- Lot #2630 – 8.5” x 3.75” Pilgram marked Rounds Sterling bowl with reticulated edge. #4548. (8.10 T. Oz., +/-) Lot #2631 – Fisher Sterling covered Butter w/ Glass insert tray. #1963. (7.30 T. Oz Sterling weight +/- Not including glass weight.) Lot #2632 – Oval 7.5” x 11” Sterling Bread Basket. “RR/Bird Marking” (7,73 T. Oz. +/-) Lot #2633 – 4 Pc. Bailey, Banks & Biddle marked Sterling Coffee/Tea Set 59.79 T. Oz +/- to include: 9” Tall 1.5 Pint Pot #A9161 (20.72 T. Oz +/-), 6” Tall 1.25 Pint pot #A9162 (21.65 T. Oz), 5.5” Tall Covered Sugar #A9163 (11.43 T. Oz +/-), 3.5” Tall open sugar #A9165 (5.88 T. Oz +/-). Lot in includes a Wallace EPNS Plated Serving tray (Tray NOT in included in weight) Lot #2634 – 11 MicsPcs of Sterling Flatware to include: Knives, Forks & Spoons (8.71 T.Oz. +/-) Lot #2635 – 41 Pcs Gorham King Albert Sterling Flatware (45.54 T. Oz +/-) in fitted case. Additional 16 Pcs Sterling Handles w/Stainless blades (35.08 T.Oz +/-) Lot #2636 –