$1,400
The Brothers Lubin, Professors of the Art Magique. New York, 185 Laurens St., ca. 1867. Bi-fold price list, the front cover attractively letterpress-printed, with a central engraving of the magic shop. Including automata, parlor and stage tricks, some advertised “à la” famous conjurers including Anderson, McAllister, Herrmann, and Wyman. The verso bearing an autograph letter signed by the co-proprietor, Jerome Lubin, dated 9 July 1867: “Enclosed please find catalogue. We have some very fine tricks, English, French, and American. The Magicians’ Own Book we do not keep, but you can get it at most book stores for about 1.50. [I would] be pleased to furnish you with any thing you may select in our Line. Yours Respectfully/ Jerome Lubin.” Old mailing folds, short edge tears, else very good. Pencil annotations. The date of the letter on this price list supports William J. Hilliar’s assertion, in “The Billboard” (15 December 1917), that the Lubin Brothers were the first magic dealers in New York, predating Professor Hartz by several years. The engraving on the front cover was used by Signor Blitz as the frontispiece for his autobiography “50 Years in the Magic Circle” (1871).
Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter
Date:
2016-12-03
