Edwin A. Dawes

J. Bartl, Hamburg. A beautifully painted composition hand that mysteriously taps out answers to questions—once for “yes,” twice for “no.”

From the libraries of Stanley Collins and Edwin A. Dawes. Bookplates and pictorial wrappers, illustrated, 188 pages. Chips to spine and some wear to cover, otherwise in good condition.

An early-20th-century transformation set in nickel-plated metal. Cotton, silk, or confetti placed into the individual vessels are visibly changed into hot coffee, cream, and sugar. The group comprises a prepared coffee pot, creamer, and lidded sugar bowl. Tallest piece 8 ¾”. Light tarnish consistent with age.

Oldham: Michael Heriot, 1909. Small wooden chest with brass handles finished in brown and green, into which a pack of cards (from which several have been chosen) is dropped. The box opens of its own accord minutes later, and the chosen pasteboards rise from within. With original key.

A silk handkerchief vanishes from the funnel when the trigger is pulled. Nickel plated funnel and vintage pistol; overall length 11 ½".

The magician vanishes a small coin and then shows the box; after removing several progressively smaller closed boxes nested within, the coin is found to have reappeared inside the smallest box. Six circular boxes with matching lids, finely turned in wood.

Number 219 of a limited edition of 250 signed and numbered copies. This sale of Winder's conjuring books was a watershed event in the magic collecting community and changed the hobby significantly. Author Trevor Hall analyzes not only the sale prices achieved, but the relative rarity of the books themselves. Includes a personal letter from Trevor Hall to Edwin A. Dawes.

No. 3 Size. London, circa 1930s. Vintage British magic set includes metal, wooden, and paper props. Tricks such as coin and silk vanishing cylinders, enchanted ball bag, vanishing candle, linking rings, appearing flower, coin production box, pull, gimmicked playing cards, and several others. Small instruction booklet.

English Language 1580 to 1850 (inscribed and signed). Baltimore: Edgar Heyl Conjuring Books, 1963. First edition. Number 17 of 300 copies. Inscribed by the author on the title page: For Dr. Edwin Dawes, with the sincere regards of Ed Heyl.

London: Inzani-Henley Magic Co. Ltd., [ca. 1968]. A black ball vanishes from a turned wooden vase when hit by a wooden mallet, and can be made to reappear in a different location. Mallet 6 ½” long. Original box and instructions. Near fine.

Tinten Pokal. London: Inzani-Henley, 1964. An etched glass vessel on a nickel-plated base is seen full of ink. Visibly, the black liquid becomes clear water with two goldfish swimming about inside. Based on the Klingl design.

Papier-mâché skull mounted on a glass column atop a wooden plinth clicks its jaw in answer to questions, once for “yes” and twice for “no.” With unusual camera/flashbulb trigger mechanism in the base used to operate the device.

Berlin: Conradi, 1930s. Tall nickel-plated stand on which a cut crystal tumbler rests. A handkerchief vanishes, only to reappear in the glass isolated on the pedestal. Spring-loaded mechanism in good working order. Includes a finely made bottomless glass with plug by Willmann.