De La Mano the Magician - collection.
New York: 1878; 1881. Ephemera. A group of ephemera highlighting the Austrian-born magician and spiritualist "Professor De La Mano". His real name was Zell Dreitzehn and his wealthy family owned a circus. He toured the east coast of the United States in 1876, 1878 and 1881 and vanished in upstate New York in 1882.
The group of ephemera is comprised of:
1. 'De La Mano's Great Magic Book.' New York Popular Publishing company, n.d. (c. 1878). 8vo, 30pp, 2pp advertisements, illustrated, pictorial wrappers. An instructional booklet on how to perform a few of De La Mano's tricks. Vg color, slt. edgewear.
2. Theater broadside, 'Wonder, Mystery and Delight. De La Mano's Champion Exhibition. The Wizard of the East will give a first class Exhibition!' 23.5 x 11.75" Saratoga Springs, NY. Great American Engraving and Printing Co., n.d. (c. 1878). Two 1/4" tears on left side, stain on right. Poster gives space to insert venue and date information, lists many of De La Mano's acts, also billing him as 'The Great French Magician'. Some edgewear, o/w vg.
3. Theatre broadside, 'De La Mano's Great Magic Show and Educated Animal Exhibition.' 14 1/2 x 5 1/4", printed on both sides. New York, A.S. Seer's Engraving and Printing House, Union Square, n.d. (c. 1881). Includes a listing of De La Mano's better known acts, 'Be Gone Dull Care' routing, also introduces 'Dom Pedro, the Pig with a Human Brain that Reads, Multiplies, Subtracts and Divides, plays a Game of Cards, Rings a Bell, Fires a Gun, tell you what you are thinking of, and many other things that must be seen to be believed.' Verso advertises the act, 'Egyptian Vivisection: in which the Professor cuts a living man to pieces, in the presence of the audience.' VG condition.
4. Two Theater broadsides, 'Prof. De La Mano has arrived, and will positively appear as advertised.' Two variant copies (one each on blue and pink paper), 9 1/2 x 6", printed both sides. New York: A.S. Seer's Engraving and Printing Establishment, Union Square, n.d. (c. 1878). Slt. dusty, o/w vgc.
5. Theater broadside, 'Wonder, Mystery and Delight. De La Mano's Champion Exhibition. The Great French magician! The Autocrat of the World of magic! In his Inimitable, Novel and Laughable Entertainment, 'Begone Dull Care'.' 24 x 4 3/4", (c. 1878). Attractive poster with 3 illustrations. With a list of tricks, including 'The Chinese Paradox: asserted by Spiritualists to be accomplished through the agency of friends in the invisible world.' Fine. Very good overall. Item #27169
Price: $900.00