ANNEMANN, Ted (Theo. Squires, 1907 – 1942). Archive of Ted Annemann / Al Baker Correspondence. 1920s – 30s. Thirty-seven letters, both typewritten and handwritten by Annemann, all but three addressed to the well-known humorist, magician, and author Al Baker of Brooklyn. Includes letters on various Annemann letterheads as well as unlined 4to sheets. Neatly organized in a three-ring binder. With both typed and SIGNED salutations by Annemann. A significant collection of important correspondence that established one of the vital relationships between two of the most inventive magicians of the first half of the twentieth century. Sold together with: a candid photograph of Baker and Annemann seated outdoors, likely on the back porch of Baker’s Brooklyn home; and a small group of printed material issued by or related to Al Baker, including instructions for marketed effects released by Baker, the props and instructions for his Dictionary Trick, a catalog of his products, a program for a testimonial to Baker, and more. An important group of ephemeral items and correspondence related to two influential thinkers and performers.
These letters not only reveal secrets, tips, gossip, and other information regarding the magic scene and magic effects of the early twentieth century, they show, over the course of years, how the relationship between Annemann and Baker developed. In the first missive, dated March 12, 1923, Annemann addresses Baker “Dear Sir,” and begins by asking for lists of mentalism and mind reading tricks available; later letters are addressed to “friend Baker,” and discuss a broad range of topics, while and the final portion of letters are simply addressed to “Al” and delve deeply into current magic-related events, methods for various tricks, and frequently personal information (“The least exertion gets me to breathing like a steam engine…I gag and cough with every sentence.”)
Annemann frequently writes to Baker at great length and in exceptional detail, with several letters filling three pages with single-spaced type. In addition to the many tricks and stunts discussed, Annemann writes about unrealized plans for a magic shop over the tea room of Beatrice Houdini (“…was going use it as Thayer’s eastern place.”), and touches frequently on his contemporaries: Fred Keating, Charles Jordan, Max Holden, Ducrot, Howard Thurston, Dr. Wilson, Gysel, and dozens more, as as well as Baker’s magic shop in Times Square, etc. Three letters in this collection not addressed to Baker were sent by Annemann to T. Nelson Downs, Zolo, and Peter Ten-Eyck.