This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2019
Thornton’s Wonderful Watch Stand. Sedona: Signature Pieces, ca. 2005. Six pocket watches are produced at the magician’s fingertips. Each is placed in a holder at the top of an elegant stand. Then, one at a time, the watches vanish from the display and cascade down the front of the stand, clacking back-and-forth, as if walking down the rungs of a ladder. They fall in to a brass top hat below the stand. For a finale, the performer reaches in to the hat and produces a ringing alarm clock. Dimensions.” Hallmarked. Original instructions. Modeled on the Watch Ladder conceived and constructed by Jesse Thornton for Abbott’s Magic in the 1940s, a prop so rare only two or three are known to exist. This model, a mechanical masterpiece, is Nick Ruggiero’s version operated mechanically (but not electronically), via a variety of coordinated mechanism concealed in the “star” at the top of the stand and just above the glass-front ladder. One of less than 12 units manufactured.