$1,900
Keating, Fred. Fred Keating’s Vanishing Bird Cage. New York, Broadway Magic, ca. 1935. Brass and wire flexible cage manufactured by Martin Sunshine during his partnership with Al Baker as part of the Broadway Magic Shop, located in New York’s famous Times Square. Includes original cloth bird with wooden beak, and original pull with leather wrist strap. Accompanied by letter of provenance from Billy McComb’s estate. The cage was given to McComb by Keating’s ex-wife. Used but good condition. Of all the tricks in Fred Keating’s (1897 – 1961) repertoire, this one was the most popular. It was the effect for which he was best known, as it provided the perfect vehicle for the style of conjuring he helped pioneer – that of the witty banterer that can make amazing thing happen in his own hands. After scoring significant successes as a magician in and around New York, Keating gave up the dark arts for a career on the legitimate stage, frequently working as Talullah Bankhead’s leading man. He also had a moderately successful career in Hollywood, starring and co-starring in a number of B-grade films, among them Prison Train and The Captain Hates the Sea. Keating returned to magic in the 1940s, and again featured his sensational birdcage trick on television, in nightclubs and theaters.
Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter
Date:
2012-05-13
