123: Dai Vernon's Prop Case

Vernon, Dai. Dai Vernon's Prop Case. A large hardwood box with piano-hinged lid containing many of the props, gimmicks and materials used and owned by Dai Vernon. Presented by Vernon as a gift to Bruce Cervon in the late 1980s. Included in the chest are many of the trademark props and gimmicks related to Vernon's illustrious career, most famous tricks, and storied life. Among these items are: A small set of Linking Rings (five ring set), false fingers and thumb tips (some used in Vernon's cruise ship performances for Al Baker's Ribbon Trick, a trick he favored), walnut shells (two sets, one large and one small), a Brainwave Deck (Aviator backs, with notations in Vernon's hand inside the card flap), Malini Egg Bag and egg (another feature in Vernon's stand-up repertoire, possibly made for him by Harry Riser's wife), various dice, thread, purse frames, endless chain, a wooden Okito Coin Box, faux cigars, shell coins, a bag embroidered with Vernon's name containing several silk handkerchiefs, Vernon's buttons and name tags from several magic conventions as well as miscellaneous brass buttons and jewelry, a Tenyo Coin Fan, gambler's card punch (corroded and stored in a box with decaying dice, the box bearing Vernon's handwritten notation on its lid, "Property of Dai Vernon"), the "business end" of a Kepplinger-style Holdout (the device is incomplete), several packs of cards (some prepared, and one bearing Vernon's name on the box, in his hand), gimmicked coins, a Read more…