127: Magician's Theatrical Trunk w/contents 1920s-30s

Herman Homar/Norton magic trunk. Large theatrical trunk manufactured by Taylor Trunk Co. of Chicago which contains — in a remarkably well-preserved state — the bulk of Herman Homar's magic show. Homar, who toured the Chautauqu and Lyceum circuits of rural America in the 1920s and 30s, performed many classic effects, most of which are stored in this trunk. Among the hundreds of individual items it contains are a magnificent wooden and metal Coin Ladder with a mechanism similar to that described by T. Nelson Downs in his book The Art of Magic but lacking its top; nickel-plated props including flag and handkerchief tricks made by Donald Holmes and a spring-loaded pistol funnel; the Vase, Cone and Beans transposition (likely made by Roterberg; countless close-up tricks and props including dozens of packs of cards and dice; several sets of spirit slates; spring flowers, thimbles, eggs, billiard balls and other small gimmicks and props; a quantity of magic wands; card houlettes, glassware and breakables housed in a special padded section of the upper tier of the trunk; appearing flowerpots, feather flowers and sundry other accoutrements used in each performance Homar gave. Complete list of contents are too numerous to list; they represent an investment in Homar's day of nearly $1,000, at retail. Trunk generally worn and front lock broken, but overall sturdy and sound. 1920s – 30s. Contents generally in good to very good condition. A remarkably well-preserved piece of magicana tha