Magic Collection of Rudiger Deutsch: Part 1

Scotto, Hyronimus. Hyronimus Scotto Medal. 18th/19th Century. Antique re-casting of the token first struck in Italy circa 1580. Obverse bears a portrait of Scotto in a hat and ruffled collar, surrounded by text; reverse blank. Composition: lead. Approximately 2 ¾ x 2 1/8”. Three nail holes present, at the left, right, and top. Surrounding text indistinct, suggesting a later casting. Still, a handsome example of a rare object. Following on the work of German historian Ottokar Fischer, magic collector Edgar Heyl researched the history of Scotto, now known to have been an entertainer and showman (in addition to a charlatan). Heyl's discussion of Scotto’s life and description of this medal (including the variant forms and wax models thereof) was published in the April, 1948 issue of The Sphinx. Some contemporary historians believe the Scotto medal to be perhaps the earliest known portrait of a conjurer extant. It is widely considered to be the first magician’s medal issued.