This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/26/2022
Welles, Orson. All Metal Extended Blade Wrist Guillotine. North Hollywood: Merv Taylor, 1940s. Custom-made model of Taylor’s famous wrist guillotine, crafted for Orson Welles, who reportedly used it in his USO shows for American servicemen. In performance, a spectator’s wrist is placed in the metal stock and a blade is passed through it, severing the carrot in a hole underneath the wrist, but leaving the volunteer unharmed. Brass and stainless-steel construction with extended blade and wooden handles at each end of the blade. Height 17 ½”. Hallmarked. An avid amateur magician, Orson Welles performed for American servicemen most famously in his own Mercury Wonder Show in 1943 in Hollywood, presenting a full-evening illusion show under canvas assisted by his wife, Rita Hayworth. He continued performing as part of the USO for years after, and maintained an active interest in conjuring for the remainder of his life, frequently performing on television, in films, and in person. Merv Taylor manufactured magic tricks – primarily crafted from metal – of an extremely high quality. This guillotine is much larger, heavier, and significantly different from the standard model he manufactured. The hallmark is also much larger than the standard Taylor version, and appears to be hand-engraved in the metal. The device is accompanied by several letters from the former owner to Ken Klosterman explaining the history of the chopper and its purchase in 1955.