Search Results: Magic from AARDWOLF Fine Books

Abbot’s Magic Novelty Co., Colon, MI, 1937; 8vo, 320 pages. Abbot’s profusely illustrated 1937 professional magic catalog, featuring hundreds of professional magic tricks with description and price for each. Art deco cover art by Sid Lorraine. Former copy of notable vaudeville magician Leon Harry Levy (1876-1951), "The Great Leon," which he has signed at the top of the title page using his stage name, and which bears his home address label affixed to the verso of the front wrap. Very Good Plus, clean, crisp, bright, no chips or tears. Included is an 8" x 10" original photograph of Leon with his stage assistant Edythe Packard Levy, whom he married in 1903 and with whom he remained for thirty-six years. Because of her ability to magically disappear and quickly reappear on another part of the stage, Edythe was known as the "It’s Me Again!" girl. Both items from the Leon estate. A unique set from the golden age of magic.

Davenport and Company, London, 1949; small 8vo, 27 pages; illustrated. Magic catalogue with articles by John Kenyon, Figaro, P.A. McDonald, Oswarld Rae, J.K. Bays, Walter de Ruyter, A. Buckle, Dr. Pangloss, and Pat Playfair, plus display ads for numerous Davenport Company magic tricks. Fine, in illustrated wraps.

L. Davenport & Co., London, 1952; 8vo, 24 pages, illustrated. Davenport’s "Demon Telegraph" illustrated magic sales catalog for 1952, with over 40 tricks. Very Good Plus, in wraps with sensational front cover illustration. Clean, crisp, and bright.

Magical Publications, Pasadena, CA, 1987; First Edition; tall 8vo, 133 pages; illustrated; green cloth; gilt titles. Biography of early vaudeville magician Leon Harry Levy, "The Great Leon" (1876-1951), inventor of "Fire and Water," "The Death Ray Gun," and other popular stage magic tricks. Illustrated with numerous period b&w photographs, plus a color frontispiece reproduction of a Great Leon magic poster advertising the "Fire and Water" trick. Copy #955 of a limited edition of 1,000. As New, without dust jacket, as issued. Laid-in are two vintage portrait photographs, from the Leon estate, of Leon and of his stage assistant Edythe Packard Levy, the "It’s Me Again!" girl, to whom he was married in 1903 and with whom he remained for thirty-six years.

Max Holden’s Magic Shops, Boston, 1940; 8vo, 164 pages; illustrated. The Max Holden Co. illustrated magic sales catalog for 1940, offering the latest in magician’s paraphernalia. Hundreds of magic tricks, apparati, effects, books, and accessories. Fine, in illustrated card wraps. Clean, crisp, bright and sharp.

Maryland Magic Studio, Baltimore, MD, 1945; First Edition; 8vo, 36 pages; illustrated. A collection of over 100 routines, suggestions, tips, presentations, gags, and ideas for the Vanishing Milk Pitcher routine, by magician and magic trick inventor Rowland Howard ("Hen") Fetsch (1912-1961). Very Good Plus, in illustrated blue wraps.

The National Magic Company, Chicago, 1945; First Edition; 8vo, 318 pages; illustrated. Marvelous National Magic Company of Chicago product catalog offering nearly one thousand magic tricks, apparati, and accessories for the magician. Complete with descriptions, prices, and overall index. Profusely illustrated. Fine condition, in attractively illustrated tan, red, and blue heavy wraps, with blue plastic comb binding. Clean, crisp, bright, and sharp. Very nice.

, 1930; circa 1930 original silver gelatin 8" x 10" studio portrait photograph of Doreen Palmer, wife and stage partner of Jay Palmer in the magic team "Jay Palmer And Doreen." Jay Palmer began his show business career in 1921 as an assistant to vaudeville magician The Great Leon (Leon Harry Levy, 1876-1951), and in later years to Harry Houdini. After marrying Doreen, the couple put together their own act in which Jay performed most of the magic and Doreen provided comedic counterpoint by condescendingly criticizing her husband’s technique. They were much known for their original illusion "The Magic Kettle," in which a small pitcher poured out a seemingly inexhaustible supply of water. Doreen and her husband enjoyed a long popularity, continuing their act on both stage and television into the 1960’s. From the Great Leon estate. Fine condition.

Thayer’s Magical Mfg. Co., Los Angeles, CA, 1928; 8vo, 287 pages. Thayer’s magic catalogue for 1928, containing over 1500 magic tricks, effects, illusions, programs with patter, magic apparati, etc., with descriptions and prices for each. Profusely illustrated. Former copy of vaudeville magician Leon H. Levy, known professionally as "The Great Leon" (1876-1951), creator and inventor of many celebrated stage tricks, such as "Fire And Water," "The Torture-Death Box Of Torquemada," "Death Ray Gun," and "The Haunted House." Tipped in at the back are three additional items: 1) A clipping from the printed program for Howard Thurston’s stage act at the Hanna Theater in Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 22, 1929 listing each trick and illusion to be performed that evening, thirty-seven in all, in order of their presentation; 2) A written list, in Leon’s hand, of the twelve illusions and eight tricks performed by Thurston Oct. 21, 1931, in a 55 minute show in New… Read More

Theatrical Studio, Chicago, 1925; Vintage signed silver gelatin 8" x 10" portrait photograph, circa 1925, of magician/comedienne Doreen Palmer, wife and stage partner of Jay Palmer in the magic act "Jay Palmer And Doreen." Jay Palmer began his show business career in 1921 as an assistant to vaudeville magician The Great Leon (Leon Harry Levy, 1876-1951), and later to Harry Houdini. After the the Palmers met and married they formed their own act, in which Jay performed most of the magic and Doreen provided comedic counterpoint by way of condescending criticism of her husband’s technique. They were well known for their original illusion "The Magic Kettle," in which a small pitcher poured out a seemingly endless stream of water, and the duo enjoyed a long popularity, continuing their act on both stage and television into the 1960’s. The photo is inscribed and signed to friends Leon Jr. (son of The Great Leon), and his wife "Teddy," a much revered couple in… Read More