This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/24/2024
LEROY, Servais (1865 – 1953). Photograph of His Illusion, A Flying Visit. Circa 1905. Image shows the famous Belgian illusionist in a curtained cabinet on four short legs; beside him is a much taller cabinet. 4 ¾ x 3 ½” (a trimmed RPPC). Dusty and worn, but good. Apparently unpublished; the first we have encountered. See Lot 411 for posters advertising this illusion.
Mike Caveney and William Rauscher described this illusion in their biography of LeRoy as follows: “LeRoy would enter the lower cabinet, pull a small curtain across the front to hide the interior and then duck down. Suddenly, Talma would appear in his place. She opened the front curtain and stepped out revealing the cabinet to be otherwise empty. LeRoy immediately popped up in the hanging cabinet and responded ‘I am here!’ Without hesitation, he again ducked down out of sight. Talma rushed across the stage and flung open the curtain which concealed LeRoy only to reveal an empty cabinet! She again called out, ‘Where are you?’ and at that instant, LeRoy appeared rushing up the center aisle of the theater shouting ‘I am here!’” This photograph shows a slightly later incarnation of the illusion.