Potter & Potter Auctions is pleased to announce the results of its sale held on June 17 offering 568 lots and realizing a 99 percent sell-through rate with total gross of $425,000. All prices noted include the companys 20-percent buyers premium. Posters promoting legacy performers of yesteryear took several of the top lot slots in this signature sale. Lot #12 traded hands at $45,600. This three-sheet, linen-backed poster of Harry Houdini with folded arms 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. Ehrenerklrung! Im Namen des Knigs Wilhelm, II. Kaiser v. Deuschland (Declaration Of Honor! In The Name Of King Wilhelm, II. Kaiser V. Germany) 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. The poster 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. Pre-war apparatus made by legacy manufacturers was another premier category in this magicana auction. A checker cabinet was estimated at $4,000-$8,000 and scored $22,800. It was made in New York by Okito (Tobias Bamberg, 1875-1963) around 1922. It was detailed with painting and decals, a flared foot design, and a brass makers plate. A ringing alarm clock production stand, estimated at $1,000-$2,000, realized $13,200. It was made in New Haven, Ct., in 1939 by Petrie & Lewis. With this trick, six alarm clocks were produced from an empty hat and hung on the stand one at a time, where they made a ringing display. This example was one of two extant, and possibly the unit performed by the owner of the firm that manufactured the prop, Tod Petrie. Jon Martins (1882-1968) butterfly silk production was estimated at $2,000-$4,000 and sold for $9,000. It was made in England in 1933. This illusion consisted of a lazy tong-like metal frame with a sequined accented, hand-sewn butterfly. It was originally conceived by Karl Germain. Lot #86 was a goodnight candle trick, estimated at $100-$200 and selling for $1,140. It was produced in London by Harry Leat around 1940. In performance, the candle was lit when the performer left the stage. It then burst open, revealing a banner reading Good Night and then spun around to reveal another banner reading Thank You. Mid-century apparatus was also well represented at this event. Lot #113 was a top hat and cane connected to a table. Estimated at $200-$400, it sold for $1,920. Produced in London by Yimka in the 1950s, here, a wood and metal cane was spun, revealing three legs. It was set onto the stage and a silk collapsible top hat was placed on top to form a table. This finely curated auction came full circle with newer to modern tricks and illusions. A Ouija prediction watch was estimated at $3,000-$6,000 and climbed to $21,600. It was made in Arizona by Richard Gerlitz around 2010. This mechanically complex timepiece allowed the performer to pre-program the watch so the hand would spell out words or reveal information chosen by a spectator apparently at random. A Knife-Er illusion was estimated at $200-$300 and made $7,200. It was made by Abbotts Magic in the 1970s. In performance, a gruesome-looking knife was thrown at a young lady standing in front of a target. The knife passed through her body and lodged in the bulls-eye behind her. This sale proves that the interest in magic collecting continues to be strong, and in some cases, is stronger than ever before, followed up Gabe Fajuri, president at Potter & Potter Auctions, after the sale. 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. For further information, visit www.potterauctions.com.