Select Secrets: Rare & Important Magicana

Ireland Magic Shop Hand Painted Sign. Chicago: Werner Dornfield (Dorny), 1953. Gigantic oil on canvas hand-painted sign which hung on the back wall overlooking the showroom of the Ireland Magic Co. of Chicago. White rabbits and flowers fill the scene, against a background of purple and orange, intermixed with the name of the storied magic emporium. Signed and dated by the artist in the lower right. 26 ½ x 108”. One short tear at center, general wear to extremities, but overall very good condition. This sign hung over the display counter at one of the last downtown Chicago locations of the Ireland Magic Shop, likely at 109 N. Dearborn Street. It was owned and operated by Laurie Ireland and his wife, Frances. Dorny, the artist, is best remembered as a master of ceremonies who performed magic professionally in vaudeville, and in his golden years served as the Dean of American Magicians. In 1963, the Ireland Magic Co. moved permanently to Chicago’s north side and was renamed Magic, Incorporated.