This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/25/2020
Vance’s Giant Card Wheel. German, ca. 1940. A plated metal stand supports two freely spinning wheels of different diameters, each wheel holding an assortment of giant playing cards. Three cards are selected from a matching giant pack and placed in a skeleton metal frame on a table at one side of the wheel. Then, without forcing or the use of gimmicks, three cards are chosen by spectators from the freely spinning wheels. These are deposited in a matching stand on a table on the opposite side of the wheel. When the two sets of giant cards are revealed, they are a perfect match – and the wheel itself is then turned to reveal that no other cards on it are duplicates of those in the stand. The cards may all be examined. Height of largest element 72” (six feet high - without cards). Housed in two custom-made wooden crates, with a supply of giant cards, and accompanied by instructions, photographs, and extensive documentation regarding the history and working of the effect, including images of Chuck Vance with the wheel and a group of TLSs from Harold Martin describing the trick and its history. Believed to be a unique example. See front cover. Akin to the giant card wheel effects of Charles Larson and Conradi, this “Big Wheel” owned and used by Charles Vance is likely one-of-a-kind, and was a feature of Vance’s shows for decades.