Swan Cardini’s bellhop costume.

Swan Cardini’s bellhop costume. Two-tone blue bellhop costume with silver buttons and gold-bordered epaulets, pants, suspenders, and one cotton glove pinned to the right shoulder. Worn by Swan Cardini in her role as assistant in the most imitated magic act of the 20th century. With matching bellboy’s cap bearing a letter “C” monogram. New York, Russell Uniform Co., ca. 1945. Shows considerable wear from use, including one tear at rear of collar, and several small holes in top of hat; good condition overall. Perhaps the most famous assistant’s costume in all of magic, Swan Cardini wore this and other bellhop-style costumes in her pseudo-invisible role as Cardini’s on-stage helper. From the moment she introduced the otherwise silent act with its only line – “Paging Mr. Cardini!” – to her exit from the stage, carrying cast-off cards, cigarettes, and billiard balls, Swan Cardini was the epitome of the neat and efficient accessory to an act that was, according to every account from both peers and the press, near perfect.