Martinka & Co. Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue of ... Conjuring Wonders.

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Magicana of the Golden Age

By Potter & Potter Auctions

Jun 20, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-06-20 11:00:00 2026-06-20 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Magicana of the Golden Age https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/potter-potter/magicana-of-the-golden-age-22866
Highlights of this closely-curated sale include remarkable rarities from the golden age of conjuring: a diverse array of Houdiniana, Victorian magic apparatus, relics from the stages of St. George's Hall, rare posters, select modern props, and choice ephemera. Purchase Catalog Potter & Potter Auctions info@potterauctions.com

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• Lot Description

  Martinka & Co. Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue of ... Conjuring Wonders. New. York: Martinka & Co., 1885. 8vo. Green pictorial wrappers, illustrated with a profusion of woodcuts. Cover heralds the firm as "The only world manufacturers and importers in this line." Includes a small selection of sporting goods, theatrical items, and magic lanterns. A RARE Martinka catalog. Sold together with a later Martinka catalog, ca. 1920, advertising beginner's tricks from Adams and the like. 

  For many years Martinka operated from what would become a famous address to magicians across the globe: 493 Sixth Avenue. This catalog, the first we have offered at auction, advertises two different addresses on its cover: 455 and 489 Sixth Ave. The cover design of this catalog is reminiscent of the paper wrappers used to bind editions of several works by Robert-Houdin. 

  Dimension

  Weight: 1.00 lbs

  Condition

  Chipping to wraps around perimeter and several preliminary and terminal leaves; pulp paper with short tears and chips. 

• Provenance

  Ken Klosterman's Salon de Magie. Second catalog with inked notation on front indicating it was formerly in the Milbourne Christopher Collection. 

• Shipping Info

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