The Magic Collection of John Daniel

Tobacco Pipe Made by Floyd Thayer. Late 1940s. Apple wood pipe hand-made and turned by Floyd Thayer, most likely for the magician Virgil (Virgil Harris Mulkey). 7 ¼” long. Small crack around rim, else very good. One of fewer than six known. In The Ultimate Thayer (Albo & Schwartz, 2010), the authors state: “Floyd [Thayer] realized that Virgil was not a smoker. In order to make his guest feel comfortable, Thayer went into his shop…and returned a moment later with a freshly turned apple wood pipe for Virgil to hold.” In his teenage years, Thayer trained as a wood turner and worked in a business manufacturing novelties and souvenirs. While he undoubtedly manufactured many such items, turnings given as gifts or souvenirs that came directly from his hand are, today, true rarities.