To help raise funds for next year’s SSH event (The Lady Aye is a Board Member of SSH) NYC organized a special night @The Beauty Bar on 14th Street. The lineup was terrific and the torrential rain storm didn’t stop those of us that wanted to attend!
Here are some visuals in case you missed the event.
Hosting the evenings talent and festivities was The Lady Aye.
Mike Zohn showed off 2 antique panels from a magician’s cabinet probably used in the 1920’s.
Rob Romeo showed his ‘nail shoes’ and then demonstrated for the audience.
Rob Romeo walking around the stage with his ‘nail shoes’ on. (painful?)
Matt Knife showed off his ‘nut sack’ and ‘other things’ during his boylesque act.
His costume was amazing and his stage presence hysterical.
The Lady Aye performed a classic sideshow act ‘the human blockhead’ but used silverware!
Wyatt, Snap. King of Swords. Sideshow Banner. Tampa: Snap Wyatt Studios, ca. 1947. Attractive canvas sideshow banner bears a full-length portrait of a sword swallower in performance, with a handful of shiny blades in one outstretched hand. 103 x 119”. Soiled and worn from use.
Wyatt, Snap. Headless Girl. Sideshow Banner. Tampa: Snap Wyatt Studios, ca. 1965. Bright banner shows a comely lady’s body that lacks a head, yet remains “Alive” and is able to answer questions and communicate through hand gestures. 101 x 118 ½”. Minor wear and tears evident, but overall well preserved. See lot 646 for a sturdy and functional version of the apparatus used to create this classic sideshow attraction.
Wyatt, Snap. Frank Lentini. 3 Legged Man Sideshow Banner. Tampa: Snap Wyatt Studios, ca. 1950. Vibrant orange and red canvas banner advertises the man with “3 Legs, 4 Feet, 16 Toes.” 97 x 115”. Worn but very good condition. Wyatt (1905 – 1984) created many iconic banner designs. He worked quickly, claiming he could paint at least one banner per day at a retail cost of $85 each. In his heyday, he reportedly produced as many as 400 banners per year.
Johnson, Fred. Human Dynamo Sideshow Banner. Chicago: O’Henry Tent and Awning, ca. 1950. Vibrant painted canvas banner depicting the classic Electric Chair sideshow illusion. 91 x 111”. Scattered holes, wear, and soiling from use, primarily in borders.
Circassian Enchantress Magic Program. Gardiner: Fountain Printing, ca. 1842. Early American program advertising a lecture by Dr. Shattuck on the Mysteries in Nature, Miracles of Indian Bramins, Hindoo Jugglers and Chinese Magi, followed by the performance of Mrs. Shattuck, the Circassian Enchantress, The Original and Greatest Lady Magician in America. Light creases and stains consistent with age, else very good.
One of my favorite magicians of all time! Cardini. Here is an item of his.
Cardini Combination Watch/Finger Reel. New York: Richard Cardini, ca. 1965. Uncommon model of this thread reel with custom-made flexible watchband and metal housing. Lathe-turned device clips in to strap or is easily removed for use in either of two manners. Interior of case stamped “CARDINI.” An uncommon model. Cardini designed and built thread reels of many types – for the mouth, shoe, and hand. He also manufactured wristwatch reels of various styles. This is the first combination finger/wristwatch reel we have encountered. The device slips securely in to or out of the watch housing with a minimum of effort, for use in the hand, or strapped to the wrist.
Head on Sword Sideshow Illusion. A disembodied human head – alive, talking, and moving – sits on the blade of a sword resting across the arms of a large wooden throne-type chair. Black art. Breaks down for packing. 62” high. Used but good condition.
Houdini, Harry (Ehrich Weisz). Houdini Signed Letter, Houdini Key, and Houdini-Era Handcuffs. Framed presentation includes a TLS from Houdini to Remigius Weiss regarding books on alchemy, boldly signed “Houdini,” together with original mailing envelope bearing Houdini’s return address; flat metal Houdini-owned key, and a pair of Houdini-era Bean Cobb handcuffs. Handsomely framed with a later photo of Houdini in restraints and chains to 19 ¾ x 22 ½”.
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This auction takes place on Nov. 1st, 2018.
These are merely ‘scraping the surface’ of the collection. Go to the site to see all of the items up for auction.
Hosting the evenings talent and festivities was The Lady Aye.
Mike Zohn showed off 2 antique panels from a magician’s cabinet probably used in the 1920’s.
Rob Romeo showed his ‘nail shoes’ and then demonstrated for the audience.
Rob Romeo walking around the stage with his ‘nail shoes’ on. (painful?)
Matt Knife showed off his ‘nut sack’ and ‘other things’ during his boylesque act.
His costume was amazing and his stage presence hysterical.
The Lady Aye performed a classic sideshow act ‘the human blockhead’ but used silverware!
Betsy Propane heated up the room with her wonderful singing and straight jacket escape.
To cap off the show Gin Minsky tap danced and revealed a few things that delighted the audience.
