Salon de Magie: The Klosterman Collection Part I

Goldin, Horace (Hyman Elias Goldstein). Horace Goldin Sawing a Woman in Half Souvenir. American, ca. 1922. Miniature gold plated replica of a cross-cut saw, possibly meant to be incorporated into a charm bracelet. The verso bears the text, “Horace Goldin / Sawing A Woman in Half,” the recto, “With A Genuine / Disston / Saw.” 1 ¾". Uncommon. Fine. Goldin employed countless stunts to advertise his version of the Sawing illusion. One involved stationing an ambulance in front of the theaters at which he played, “in case the saw slips.” P.T. Selbit, the magician to whom the invention of the effect is generally credited, also distributed miniature souvenir saws to promote his rendition of the trick.