Select Secrets: Rare & Important Magicana

Tarbell, Harlan. Harlan Tarbell’s Flowerpot Cups and Balls. Elmhurst, IL: Harlan Tarbell, ca. 1940. Set of three large plastic flowerpots, one cleverly gimmicked, for Tarbell’s own use in a stage version of the Cups and Balls, in which oranges were used in place of the balls, and at the conclusion, a cantaloupe appeared unexpectedly. One flowerpot gimmicked; each flowerpot marked with two adhesive stickers on opposite sides. Height 5 ½”. One closed crack, general wear; good. With a note in Jay Marshall’s hand attesting to the provenance of the flowerpots. Owned and used by Harlan Tarbell. Tarbell’s routine using these props is described in Vol. 6 of his famous Course, pages 48-56. The gimmicked flowerpot included here is substantially different in operation than the model described in the Course.