This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/16/2018
Spirit Bell and Clock Dial Combination. Hamburg: Carl Willmann, ca. 1900. A cut crystal bell rings out answers to questions posed by the audience, sounding once for “yes” and twice for “no” despite the fact that it is either isolated on a nickeled stand, or hangs from the magician’s wand. Bell clapper likely made of ivory. The stand can also hold a handsome Crystal Clock Dial. The clock’s hand stops on any number called for, or reveals the identity of chosen cards by stopping on a combination of numbers and card pips reverse painted on the beveled glass dial. Mechanical stand 27” high. Clock face 13” diameter. Near fine working condition. From the collection of Dr. Samuel Cox Hooker. Originally part of the famous collection of Dr. Hooker, these props were used by one of Hooker’s closest associates (who also assisted in later performances of his famous card rise), Dr. Shirley L. Quimby. The apparatus was purchased from a descendant of Hooker for the Baldwin collection. While the clock dial and Spirit Bell were popular tricks in their time, a combination set of this nature and quality is rarely encountered; likewise, versions of the clock dial with fine gilding and the card pips added to the dial for additional effect are scarce in their own right, if not truly rare.