Magical memorabelia is gaining momentum in the marketplace.
Young Collectors Discover Magic
Used to be, collectors of magic tricks & magic memorabelia were guys in their fifties. Lately, however young collectors are entering the field. Prices are influenced by popular movies and books, according to Forbes magazine. A 2006 article noted a rise in popularity after the publication of a novel called Carter Beats the Devil, by Glen David Gold, a fascinating work of historical fiction where Charles Carter, a contemporary of Harry Houdini, performs his tricks for the likes of Warren G' Harding and the Marx Brothers. And for the slightly younger set, the Harry Potter phenomenon has certainly introduced a whole generation to magic and its accoutrements.
Presto:A Poster Record!
Collectors seek everything including books about magic, trick locks, cards, handcuff, scarves, top hats, photos, autographs, and stage props, like magicians' desks, and the box in which a magician saws his assistant in half. Not surprizingly, anything witha provenance that ties it to the biggest names in magic commands the highest sums. Houdini remains the gold standard of magic collectibles. Last year, according to the Kovels, an original Houdini poster set a record, with a sale price of $78,000.
