$1,000
John Booth's Aerial Fishing Rod. American, ca. 1940. The magician sets the hook of this fishing rod with bait and casts the line over his audience. A live fish appears on the end of the line. The magician removes the fish and drops it into a bowl where it is seen to swim about merrily. The performer then catches two more fish in a similar manner. Used by John Booth in many of his engagements at leading nightspots in America and Canada in the 1930s and 40s. Rod handle is made of brass and decorated with cork to approximate the look of a genuine fishing rod. 52" long. Accompanied by four photographs of Booth in his later years posing with the apparatus and one earlier image (a reproduction) of Booth with the prop in ca. 1944. Worn but good condition. Booth's routine for the Aerial Fishing trick was published in his book, Marvels of Mystery (1944).
Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter
Date:
2011-05-22
