The Collection of Jim Rawlins Part II

Cardini (Richard Valentine Pitchford). Cardini’s Vanishing Birdcage. New York: Richard Cardini, ca. 1960. A small rectangular cage vanishes from between the magician’s hands. Unusual sleeve guard. 5 ½ x 4 x 4”. With a letter of provenance; purchased from Cardini’s widow, Swan. Virtually every aspect of the cage, from its substantial aluminum frame to the sleeve guard, are unusual and show that a great amount of care and thought went into the design of the prop. While the cage collapses rapidly, it is also sturdy enough to be held by one hand. Some elements of its design are reminiscent of the work of Jon Martin, the famous British maker of magic apparatus, who supplied his friend Cardini with some apparatus.