Salon de Magie: The Klosterman Collection Part I

Kellar, Harry (Heinrich Keller). Two Brass Candlesticks from Kellar’s Illusion Show. Circa 1895. Handsome pair of etched brass candlesticks with rope-like twisted design bisected by central hubs at the mid-point of each stand. Owned and used by the famed American illusionist Harry Kellar in his well-traveled and popular magic show. Heavily weighted bases, possibly a later modification by Kellar meant to assist in performance. Height 8 ½". Finish of one candle polished, insignificant stress cracks to bases; very good. Accompanied by a notarized letter of provenance tracing their history and a vintage photograph of the candlesticks. Obtained from the Kellar family by John D. Lippy, a contemporary of Thomas Worthington and fellow member of the Demon’s Club, and later owned by Clint Reidel; Klosterman obtained the candlesticks from Reidel in the 1970s, along with other historically significant magic props, including Alexander Herrmann’s Die Box (lot 104 in this catalog).