News | June 21, 2023

Houdini for President Poster Leads Potter & Potter Summer Magic Sale

Potter & Potter

Ehrenerklärung! Im Namen des Königs Wilhelm, II. Kaiser v. Deuschland (Declaration Of Honor! In The Name Of King Wilhelm, II. Kaiser V. Germany)

Posters promoting performers of yesteryear took several of the top lot slots in the latest Potter & Potter June magicana sale.
 
A three-sheet, linen backed poster of Houdini with folded arms traded hands at $45,600. It was printed by The Strobridge Litho. Co. in 1911. Its image was dubbed 'Houdini for President' thanks to similarities in its design to political advertising of the era. Other highlights included:

The 'Houdini for President' poster
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Potter & Potter

The 'Houdini for President' poster

Chung Ling Soo Mysteries. A Rare Bit of Old China, was sold for $5,040
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Potter & Potter

Chung Ling Soo Mysteries. A Rare Bit of Old China, was sold for $5,040

Lot #20, Thurston, Do the Spirits Come Back?
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Potter & Potter

Lot #20, Thurston, Do the Spirits Come Back?

* Ehrenerklärung! Im Namen des Königs Wilhelm, II. Kaiser v. Deuschland (Declaration Of Honor! In The Name Of King Wilhelm, II. Kaiser V. Germany) which made $36,000. This linen backed poster was printed in Leipzig around 1902 by Atelier J. Zier. It pictured Houdini in handcuffs standing before a tribunal of judges, as helmet-clad police looked on.

* Lot #20, Thurston, Do the Spirits Come Back?, realized $5,280. This oversized, three sheet stone lithographed poster was printed in Cleveland by The Otis Lithograph Co. around 1928. It pictured the illusionist conjuring spirits and demons from a skull clutched in his hands.

* Chung Ling Soo Mysteries. A Rare Bit of Old China, was sold for $5,040, a color poster picturing Soo standing on a jade demon platform on stage, with the “Mysteries” overprint of “Li Sing Foo." It was published in London in 1915 by J. Weiner Ltd.

The sale offered 568 lots and had a 99% sell through rate. According to Gabe Fajuri, President at Potter & Potter Auctions: "This sale proves that the interest in magic collecting continues to be strong and in some cases, is stronger than ever before! Our next magic memorabilia sale takes place in late August."