The Collection of Jim Rawlins Part II

Blackstone, Harry (Henry Boughton). Harry Blackstone Sr.’s Floating Light Bulb. Circa 1959. Gimmicks for the most famous of Blackstone’s effects, the Floating Light Bulb, in which the illuminated bulb floated across the stage at the magician’s command, and even in to the audience. Majority of the original glass bulb broken away, but including the special gimmicks used to create the effect. Includes thread, rings, bulb gimmicks, battery tubes and smaller bulbs. Sold with a replacement bulb and handsome wooden display case. Obtained from Blackstone’s brother, Peter Bouton. Obtained from Blackstone’s brother, Peter Bouton, by Jerry Conklin. Sold with Conklin’s original sale listing the apparatus and his unsigned letter describing the props, along with a sketch of how to hook up the apparatus. Conklin obtained the bulb from Bouton, his neighbor and co-worker at Abbott’s Magic Co. When Bouton tried to teach the Blackstone routine to Conklin using this apparatus – originally owned and used by Blackstone Sr. – the bulb fell and broke, leaving it in its current condition. The Floating Light Bulb was one of the best-remembered and iconic effects in the shows of both Blackstone Sr. and Junior.