$2,200
Vanishing & Appearing Lamp. Pasadena, Custom Magic (Carl Williams), ca. 2003. A brightly lit metal lamp with red cloth shade stands on a slim metal table at the left side of the stage. At the magician's command, the lamp visibly vanishes from the table and reappears on a matching stand across the stage. The mechanical lamps and tables, constructed after the design conceived by the master German craftsman Conradi are responsible for both the vanish and appearance of the lamps; a similar outfit was manufactured by Conradi for Houdini who used it somewhat unsuccessfully in his three-part show staged during the final tour of his career, in 1925 and 1926. The mechanism was notoriously finicky, and occasionally caused problems for Houdini. This version of the trick incorporates several changes in the design of the lamps and tables that insure much smoother operation than the original Conradi props, though the shade of the appearing lamp in this set is prone to "hanging up." Tables stand 38" high. Complete with instruction manual and custom-made padded ATA case for transport. Metal finish shows light wear, weld on one table leg separated (not affecting working), but overall good condition. One of only six sets manufactured. In Hiding the Elephant, Jim Steinmeyer relates a story of Houdini's performance of the lamp trick: "At one of Houdini's performances, when fellow magician David Bamberg was in the audience, the lamp trick spectacularly misfired. Bamberg was horrified to se Read more…
Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter
Date:
2011-05-22
