$8,000
Fu Manchu (David Bamberg). Fu Manchu’s Stage-Worn Chinese Robe. Chinese, ca. 1930. Sheer dark blue fabric field with crane pattern in a variety of bright and subtle colors. Worn and used by David Bamberg, known on the stage as Fu Manchu. A handsome and important relic of the last – and arguably the greatest – magician in the great Bamberg Dynasty of conjurers. Visible wear and repairs near shoulders, some thinning of sheer fabric and short tears. Accompanied by a photograph of Bamberg wearing the kimono, and a letter of provenance tracing its ownership. Both Fu Manchu and Okito went to great lengths to secure genuine Chinese robes for use in their performances. Fu Manchu’s autobiography, Illusion Show, describes many of these robes in great detail. They also receive mention in Okito On Magic, authored by Robert Parrish and Theo. Bamberg, as well as the books of Dr. Robert Albo.
Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter
Date:
2014-04-26
