Herrmann, Adelaide. Die Casket. European, ca. 1890. A

Herrmann, Adelaide. Die Casket. European, ca. 1890. A wooden die placed in a burled wooden chest transforms into a bird or any other small object when the box is re-opened. Owned and used by Adelaide Herrmann, and possibly Alexander and Compars Herrmann. 3 ½” die. With key. Minor wear to finish; very good. A letter of provenance from Dr. Victor Trask to Dr. John Henry Grossman accompanies the prop. It states, in part, “I am sending you the Die Box…it was given to my father by Adelaide Herrman[n] during one of her visits at our home. Dad had a string of theaters in the Northwest known as the “Blue Mouse Theaters.” I was just a kid at that time but from what Dad told me, the box was first used by [C]arl Herrmann, later by Alexander, then he took it out of the act. I first thought of sending it to the Magic Circle, but after our visit felt that you might like to have it….”