This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/29/2022
[GIMMICKED PLAYING CARDS] A LARGE AND IMPORTANT COLLECTION OFGIMMICKED DECKS. American, 1920s – 40s. An impressive gathering of specially constructed, arranged, or manufactured decks of varying types and descriptions. Many packs bear the handwritten labels of the former owner, Charles Larson affixed to the case on gummed labels, or written on the boxes themselves, identifying each deck with its name. Represented are prearranged packs, specially printed decks, mechanical packs of cards, stacked decks, and other specially prepared decks to accomplish a wide range of seeming miracles. Among the inventors’ work represented are effects by Tannen’s, Al Baker, Burling Hull, Shackleton, Tarbell, Joe Berg, John Snyder, Abbott’s, Ralph Hull, and dozens more. A large and diverse collection of trick cards, representing both classic effects in their earliest forms, as well as little-known and unknown effects by well-known magical inventors of the first half of the twentieth century. The labels and handwriting on each box identify these cards as the former property of Charles Larson of New York, who is best remembered as a collector of clever and rare magic apparatus. He was also, it should be noted, a collector of all types of secret devices, as well as the secrets behind all types of tricks.