Collection Of Peter Hackhofer To Include Premier Antique Magicana From Legacy Illusion Shows Of Yesteryear The Golden Age Of Magic Sale Set For June 8

May 31, 2024

Potter & Potter Auctions is pleased to announce a 435-lot sale to be held on Saturday, June 8, live at the companys gallery. It will also be live streamed on their website, which can be found at www.potterauctions.com. Phone and absentee bids are welcome. Contact Potter & Potter Auctions directly for more information. This sale features a number of breathtaking, mid-19th century Parisian Mystery Clocks made by master horologist Robert Houdin (French, 1805-71). Two of note include a Series 4 or Triple Mystery Clock, estimated at $50,000-$70,000. Time is kept by two arrow-shaped hands attached to a clear glass dial. The dial and bezel rest on a tall glass tube. This delicate and attractive arrangement is mounted atop four griffin-like beasts with curved tails. This elevates the clock from the ormolu-decorated platform, providing the third of three mysteries surrounding this impressive example. The other is a square dial Mystery Clock, estimated at $20,000-$30,000. This Series 5 timepiece features a clear square glass dial supported by a brass bezel and topped by a crown. The dial is decorated with Roman numerals, cartouches, Arabic numerals, and minute bits. Four sheets of glass incorporated into the dial, unbeknownst to viewers, are activated by the clockworks in the base of the timepiece to move the hands and keep time. Additional interesting lots will be Hubert Salentins (German, 1822-1910) Magic Trick with a Little Bird (Der Zaubertrick mit dem Vglein), estimated at $6,000-$12,000. This framed oil-on-canvas from 1855 is initialed and dated by the artist on its lower right. It depicts a well-dressed conjurer producing a bird from underneath a cover held in his hand for an audience of astonished spectators. Also noted in the image are other tools of the magicana trade including cards, cups, a pistol, and a bird cage. A poster featuring Chung Ling Soo (born William Ellsworth Robinson, 1861-1918) with tea chests is estimated at $5,000-$10,000. This horizontal, linen backed color stone lithograph shows tea chests with Soos name in black in several stacks. It was published in London by Weiner around 1915, is overprinted for the Li Sing Foo Mysteries show, and measures 20-by-30 inches. Potter & Potter, founded in 2007, is a Chicago area auction house specializing in paper Americana, vintage advertising, rare books, playing cards, gambling memorabilia, posters, fine prints, vintage toys, and magicana - antiques and collectibles related to magic and magicians.

 

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