Potter & Potter Auctions

The top lot at Potter & Potter’s Winter Magic Auction is this Houdini-Slade-Weiss Locked Book. The tome was created by Remigius Weiss and used in a trial to expose Henry Slade, a supposed spirit medium. Years later, Weiss gave the book to his friend and fellow spiritualism researcher and debunker, Harry Houdini. The 19th century tooled black leather volume is accompanied by a handsomely framed collage of Houdini memorabilia at top right. Estimate: $10,000-$15,000.
Auctions

Potter & Potter auction conjuring winter magic

The top lot at Potter & Potter’s auction of the collection of Dave and Mary Jane Price on Nov. 16 is Buffalo Bill’s First Wild West Performance Program, inscribed in ink to title page “William Jacobs/Omaha, Nebraska/1883/1st show.” William Jacobs was a private in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Omaha, Nebraska beginning in February 1882. This program for Cody & Carver’s Rocky Mountain & Prairie Exhibition, with the Famed Scout and Indian Fighter Buffalo Bill (Hon. W.F. Cody), and Dr. W.F. Carver, King of Riflemen, and Acknowledged Champion Marksman of the World, Will Soon Appear in This City (Hartford, CT: Calhoun Printing Company, 1883) is likely the only surviving program of the initial performance of the Wild West show on May 19, 1883. It has a pre-sale estimate of $5,000-$7,000.
Posters

Circus, sideshow and oddities: Relics from bygone era coming to auction

This c. 1900 clown magician musical automaton made in Paris by Leopold Lambert was the top lot, selling for $13,200 against a pre-sale estimate of $8,000-12,000. Images courtesy of Potter and Potter
Uncategorized

Magic collection casts spell on bidders

Albino Lady Sword Swallower Photos, $28,800
News

Circus, sideshow memorabilia capture bidders' imaginations

Auctions

Auction Results: Popularity of Houdiniana is no illusion