This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2023
ANDERSON, John Henry (1814 – 74). PROFESSOR ANDERSON BAL MASQUE TICKET, SIGNED. [London], 1851. Letterpress “Lady’s Ticket” of admission to a masked ball promoted by Anderson after his stage-filling magic show at London’s Covent Garden Theatre Royal on March 4th 1856. 6 1/8 x 7 5/8”. Numbered in ink and SIGNED in the lower right by Anderson. See MAGIC: 1400s – 1950s, p. 37. One night after the ball to which this ticket admitted the bearer, the Covent Garden Theatre Royal was destroyed by fire, and with it Anderson’s entire show. In the words of author and pioneering magic collector J.B. Findlay, “in the early hours, about 5 a.m., on the fateful morning … the fire broke out. This resulted in the complete demolition of the theatre and … for the second time, Anderson’s fortunes.” Ever resilient, “in less than three months’ time he was again performing….”