This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/26/2023
THURSTON, Howard (1869 – 1936). The Yogi of Delhi or The Gods of Fire Film Treatment. New York: Howard Thurston, 1930. Typed carbon film treatment based loosely on Thurston’s world tours, and centering on a fictional magician named “Danton” and his travels through the far east. Some of the scenes are carried out on stage during a performance of Danton’s illusion show. Thirty-nine 4to pages, typed rectos only, bound in plain brown wrapper, the name “Howard Thurston” lettered in ink on the front wrapper. Tipped-in before the treatment are 39 sepia-tone photographs of street scenes captured by Thurston while on tour (ca. 1905), including images of street performers presenting acrobatic tricks, the Mango Tree trick, snake charming, and other effects, an image of the Thurston tent, Thurston’s show being transported to a theater, and Thurston in a white pith helmet amidst a group of local Indian people, as well as other scenes at Monkey Temples, and other historic sites referred to in the manuscript. Each photograph has a typed caption pasted below the image. Obtained by the consignor from the estate of Al Altman, an amateur magician who served as Eastern talent executive for MGM Studios from 1926 - 1959. Edges of wraps and pages chipped and dog-eared, with age-related wear as expected. Regardless, an apparently unique document related to one of the many business ventures attempted at the peak of Thurston’s long career.