$10,000
Martin, John. Archive of eight ALSs from John Martin to Cardini. On aerogramme stock, each missive discusses tantalizing details of various mechanical devices Martin manufactured or repaired for Cardini including rising card “machines,” a Rabbit from Hat device, leg and arm pulls, and more. Martin also mentions Alton Sharpe repeatedly, with whom he was having difficulty dealing. All correspondence dated 1961. One letter mis-opened, otherwise good. Accompanied by two invoices from Martin to Cardini, an ALS from Martin’s son dated Nov. 20, 1968 informing Cardini of Martin’s death and describing what items are left in stock in the workshop, and a carbon of one TLS from Sharpe to Martin regarding the difficulties they were having. Rare. It was presumed that Martin, while a genius at the workbench and a machinist par excellance, was illiterate. These letters, rarities in and of themselves, may have been dictated to a family member or neighbor.
Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter
Date:
2013-04-06
