This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/9/2023
WANDAS, Suzy (Jeanne Van Dyk, 1896 – 1986). Suzy Wandas’ Own European Variety Performer Scrapbooks. Three albums compiled and kept by European variety and music hall star magicienne Suzy Wandas, comprised of over 150 souvenir photographs, postcards, and autographs of her fellow variety entertainers with whom she shared the stages in pre-WWII Europe. Each album is stuffed with images of dancers, strongmen, acrobats, singers, and other specialty acts, among them Paul Opitz – Paulo (gymnast and strongman), Pepita et Boris (Mexican dancers), Antia Gilbert (contortionist), Risa Berry, Bruno Eberhardt, magicians R. Lewis, Ben-Ali, and Geo Dicky, Les Piaia (iron jaw act), Franz Diener (boxer), Maita Ossira, Carl Wallenda (a later image, laid in), Gerti Pohl, Vera Gentz, Osaka (magician), Enrico Rastelli (famed juggler), Edgar & Joe (ventriloquist), The Four Rastellis, The Atlantic Boys (gymnasts), Mario de Costa (contortionist), Rudi Carre (juggler), Karinga (animal hypnotist), and dozens more. Other magicians represented include Paula Baird, Tom Harris, Paulus II, Crochet of Holland, Esme Levante, Kalanag, Clement de Lion, and Robelly. Many RPPCs of Wandas (some as “Suzy White Flower,” and others picturing her in a double act with her mother) are included, with many images scattered on later pages, including personal candid photographs, several bearing Wandas’ inked notations, and others being RPPCs of her musical act as “White Flower.” With the bulk of the images INSCRIBED AND SIGNED to Wandas by the performers, or accompanied by lengthy inscriptions and autographs of the facing pages of one scrapbook. One binding perished, the others intact, with most contents pasted down as expected but in good condition or better. An impressive archive of images and words capturing the aesthetics of vaudeville, stage, and nightclub performers from the first half of the twentieth century and their relationships with a fellow entertainer.