$1,300
Baldwin, Samri (Samuel Spencer Baldwin). Baldwin The Mahatma. Hartford: Calhoun Print, ca. 1898. Detailed and attractive multi-color woodcut portrait poster of the famous mind reader, his image surrounded with an elaborate frame incorporating skulls, devils, snakes, and bats. A medallion of text in the lower left states, “Fifth tour around the world. The favorites of five continents.” 79 x 106". Mounted to four sheets of foam core; old folds prominent; chipped and worn, but attractive and well-preserved; B. Baldwin was one of the first magicians to perform a handcuff escape on stage, and to present a “question and answer” act. Known for most of his career as “The White Mahatma” (as opposed to the billing given here, as, simply, “The Mahatma”), he made numerous world tours with a show focused mainly on spiritualism-related effects like those of the Davenport Brothers and mind-reading and mental-type tricks.
Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter
Date:
2016-06-25
