This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2024
ANNEMANN, Ted (Theo. Squires, 1907 – 1942). Important Archive of Annemann / J.G. Thompson Jr. Correspondence. Spanning 1929 – 41, and including over 40 page-filling single-spaced TLSs, typed postcards, teletype messages, and a few notes entirely in Annemann’s hand, the letters chronicle an important relationship between two serious practitioners and authors in the fields of magic and mentalism whose writing would shape the craft’s understanding of both arts for decades to follow. Subjects treated include not only personal details (“I know that my folks (father died when 5) kicked for several years…,” “I’ve been to Cuba on my second honeymoon…”), various effects (“the phone test,” Karaism, Modern Mindreader, spelling effects, Living and Dead Telepathy Par Excellence, Living and Dead tests, Who Killed Mr. X, and many other feats), performance techniques, current literature and publications (including The Jinx and contributions to the journal as well as forthcoming content and Thompson’s work on indexing the periodical, plus the work of David P. Abbott, Laurence Glen, etc.), gossip and fellow performers (including movie star Harold Lloyd), and many other topics. Most missives are SIGNED by Annemann (alternately “Ted” “Annemann” and in other manners, with several typed signatures to early letters). Sold together with a small quantity of clippings related to Annemann’s suicide, a pencil sketch portrait of Annemann, two letters from Annemann to Orville Meyer, and a flyer picturing Meyer’s performance of Annemann’s bullet catching trick. A fascinating and important archive.Annemann and Thompson developed a solid working relationship over the course of nearly a decade and these letters made clear they worked not only hand-in-hand on The Jinx, but also developed a personal friendship in the process (“I doubt if there has been one day in the past few months that either J[eanette] or myself haven’t thought of you.”) After Annemann’s untimely death at his own hand, it was Thompson working in concert with Max Holden that helped cement Annemann’s reputation as the godfather of modern mentalism and its techniques.