This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/9/2023
[HOFZINSER] Gimmicked “Metamorphic” Card Owned by J.N. Hofzinser. Vienna, ca. 1850s. Cleverly constructed set of gimmicked cards that allows the magician to cleanly reproduce a vanished King of Hearts ostensibly from his “mate,” the Queen of Clubs, after the King has vanished from the pack. Patterned Tietze back design with stencil-painted faces, as issued. Upper edge of Queen card stained, else good. From the collection of Jay Marshall, and sold in these rooms in July 2008 in the second public auction from his collection. Accompanied by a letter of provenance tracing the ownership of the cards.
Hofzinser’s routine using this gimmicked card is described in S.H. Sharpe’s translation of J.N. Hofzinser’s Card Conjuring (1931) on page 159, titled “Lost, Stolen or Strayed—A King.” A further analysis of its use can be found in Magic Christian’s Non Plus Ultra - Hofziner’s Card Artistry – VII (2013), page 287.