This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/9/2023
WANDAS, Suzy (Jeanne Van Dyk, 1896 – 1986). Suzy Wandas’ Stage Act and Performing Props. Included in the case are virtually all of the props used by Wandas for the manipulation act she presented in variety theaters around the world, among them the three custom nickel-plated pails and holders used to display them on a series of collapsible metal stands; a vintage Vanishing Cane and appearing cane; a quantity of brightly plated palming coins; her Multiplying Billiard balls (made of ivorine or celluloid and the set comprised of six balls and two shells); Suzy’s make-up bag and makeup; a large quantity of silks and flags including a very large custom-made Color Changing Silk manufactured by Abbott’s; various dummy cigarettes and gimmicked matchboxes for her cigarette manipulation routine (perhaps the core of her act); an attractive Breakaway Fan; packs of playing cards including once well-used fanning deck; miscellaneous costume jewelry; an attractive Mutilated Parasol; a heavy crystal ungimmicked ash tray; a collapsible brass Flagstaff with giant silk Belgian flag attached, for production; and many other small props used both in Wandas’ stage act and in other informal performances. The props are held in a 1950s-era blue locking suitcase used by Wandas, with a traveling tag attached to its handle bearing her name “Mrs. Zina Bennett” and her Detroit address in ink.
Tucked into an internal pocket in the case are a handwritten running order for one of Wandas’ shows for a magic club performance, as well as her handwritten routine for a hand shadow act, and the musical arrangement for a piano or organ, used to accompany her on stage. The latter bears a pasted-on portrait of Wandas on the cover sheet. In all, a remarkable time capsule of one of the few female performers to excel as a variety artist in the twentieth century as a magician – not to mention as part of a family act, on circus, and as a musician, on two sides of the Atlantic.