I just got an email from Bev Bergeron and he is having an auction of some really great stuff. Beve Bergeron is a comedy legend in magic and performed as Rebo the magic clown on The Magical land of Alakazam That also starred Mark Wilson...

I though that news would be interesting to Café members so here is the e-mail...

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Subj: Bev Bergeron's Auction Information:
Date: 10/28/2004 11:47:49 AM Central America Standard T
From: Bevbergero
To: ALOUISE82
BCC: Gbbhypnotist

Bev Bergeron's Auction Information:

Magic Illusions Auction --- From Bev Bergeron’s Collection

http://www.BevBergeron.com

Email: BevBergeron@aol.com

The auction will began November 10th to 20th, 2004 on E-Bay. A written, phone or email offer can be made on that date and continued until November 20– then sold to the highest bidder. Bibs can be made in person on November 20 at Bev’s home.

Payment can be made via cash, check (shipping will be held for clearance of check) or use

PayPal. Sales are final — As is!

Props can be inspected at Bev’s home in Orlando, Fla. by qualified buys by appointment only. Email for more information...

The following list of magic illusions are from Bev Bergeron’s Collection. They have been used on shows from California, Texas to Florida. All are workable now except where noted in the description. No shipping cases are available. All illusions had covers that protected them while riding in a truck or trailer. All illusions can be picked up in Orlando, Florida after making arrangements. Temporary shipping crates can be built for each prop. The price of the crate will be added on with the agreed price of the illusion.

Photos are available on all props. Will be sent by email or upon special request to qualified buyers. Phone calls and emails welcomed for more information on props.

Ziz-Zag

Built by Bev Bergeron from Robert Harbin’ s plans in 1972 with some changes:

No roller blinds, no trap door for viewing stomach, better location for foot placement and center bar across doorway is removed. Heavy blades and top birch plywood used in construction. A prop that has performed well for years with little or no ware showing. A work horse illusion. Used in trade shows with audience with in ten feet and still fooled them.

Covered with jacket made from a rug. With Bev’s special routine that Vernon comments after seeing Abb Dickson perform it in 1973: “The first time it was presented as a magic trick and not a puzzle.”

Opening bid: $1,000 -- FOB Orlando, Florida



Sub Trunk

Built by Bev Bergeron -- an Abbott’s Canvas Covered Box type trunk. Two tops for use. One has the standard trap on top. The second top was build so that the Jack Gwynne’s routine could be performed with the trunk. Trunk is made of the finest materials and looks great. Breaks down for shipping. Also includes: Sack, locks (one key opens all), rope, dolly and tent to cover trunk (held by two men from audience). Ready to perform. Will furnish Jack Gwynne’s secret routine with trunk sale.

Opening bid: $1,000 -- FOB Orlando. Florida



Broom Suspension

Abbott’s built harness and brooms. Well made and will work all the time. Brooms were well made and still look new. The base just a simple support for the illusion, was built by Bev Bergeron.

Opening bid $1,000 FOB Orlando, Florida


Bev Bergeron Magic Auction page 2



Arabian Tent

Built by Bev Bergeron from U.F. Grants suggestions. Built strong and covered well with canvas. Has been through many shows producing: Girls, Company Presidents, Santas, etc. Comes with Bev’s routine of producing a second girl from the empty tent after the first girl has taken her bow.

Opening bid $300 FOB Orlando, Florida



Willard’s Rod-Thru-Girl

One of a kind! The illusion described in the Willard The Wizard book where a girl is placed into a stock that covers her waist. A steel rod that has been inspected by the audience (no switch) is pushed through the girl’s body. It is a great illusion that has fooled magicians for years. A glowing neon tube can also be pushed through the girl’s body. The rod is pulled all the way through the girl and a ribbon is left for the magician and his assistant to pull back and forth.

Built by Bev Bergeron and used only a few times. Both Bill Siros and Burling Hull had sold plans for this illusion that were wrong. Bev refused to tell them the real workings. It needs a couple hours of clean-up work, but can be ready to troupe in no time.

Opening bid $1,000 FOB Orlando, Florida



Jack Gwynne’s Temple of Benares

Unknown builder but well made. The base is made like an Asrah Table and is very deceptive. Will take a larger girl then most Temples. Faked, but good-looking swords. On a Disney show we used a young man dressed as a ghost. Used in the “Houdini Musical” and many commercial shows. Great shape except one leg will have to be fixed or use attached all the time.

Opening bid $1,000 FOB Orlando, Florida



X-Ray Double Box Illusion

Built by Thayer’s Magic or a good rip off— in early 1930s

Harry Blackstone, Sr. had a similar built illusion in which he would produce several girls. At the PCAM convention at Long Beach, Calif. in 1966, we produced three Go Go Dancers out of these boxes. Slats move to form a black art effect.

Descriptions from Thayer’s catalog: Here is a combination of mystery quality and beauty. Two handsome boxes with open slat fronts rest on a thin platform (NOTE:

no platform with this set). One box is slightly smaller; being made to nest within the

larger. All sides are hinged at the bottom to fold downward.



The Thayer’s description states that only one girl is produced. Blackstone, Sr. produced several. I was taught to produce one in each box then nest the two together for the third girl’s appearance.

This is a collectable illusion — part of history. They were given to me from the

show of Prof Pearl Reynolds who trouped from California to Texas from 1880 to 1930s.

Would like to find a good home for them. Used two years ago in “Houdini Musical” at a

Disney theatre.

Opening bid $1,000 FOB Orlando, Florida



Duck Vanish — One of a kind:

One to two Ducks depending on size, vanishes from a large box. Built by Prof Pearl Reynolds and from his collection and show. The vanish is different from any on the market. The steal of the hidden duck is while removing

Bev Bergeron --- Magic Auction page 3



the back panel. The construction is beautiful. All hand made pin-hinges and hardware. Sold only under the condition that the prop will remain in its original shape and paint style. This is a museum piece along with several other items: tables, vanishes, boxes, Ink to Water, etc. Will talk about this piece and/or more of the collection. Have already given some illusions built by Reynolds to the S.A.M. Magic Hall of Fame in Los Angeles and the American Museum of Magic in Michigan. Ask about the collection.



Hong Kong Dove Production:

Prof. Pearl Reynolds built in the 1930s. Will produce a coil of ribbon and then up to seven doves. When I was in high school I also produced a duck from frame – that was another load, which was lost, but have instructions. Opening bid: $100



Nest of Boxes:

Prof. Pearl Reynolds built in 1930s. No trick box.

Opening bid: $25



Tables and bird vanish with trick top – has to be seen to believed – made from silverware and other parts found in a hotel.

Prof Pearl Reynolds built in 1890 – 1920s?

Opening bid: $200



Duck Tray Production:

Prof. Pearl Reynolds built in 1920s/30s

Production holder has the Indian emblem that became the German Swastika, on its sides.

Opening bid: $50



Duck Production – Mirror Box – sides fall down

This is a one of a kind and was the box that inspired many copies sold under many different names. Originally built to be shown empty (mirror) and then a duck would be shot from a small cannon at the box. As the top of the box would be lifted the sides would fall to show a duck. The doves to duck came from this box. Can be used as such by just loading doves into top. Built and designed by Bev in 1963. $200



Thayer’s Spirit Sack Escape

Person put into sack — top tied and person escapes. It was also used as a means to send a lady up to a trapezes in the In Again — Out Again Illusion. Doug Henning used this type sack on TV as an escape where a member of the audience’s coat ends up in the sack. Just basic black sacks. I first used the sack escape in my freshman year in high school.

Opening bid $25 FOB Orlando, Florida



Ariel Fishing – Okito Bamberg?

A fishing pole that will deliver three live gold fish one at a time. They are hidden in the handle, which will drop one fish when wanted. Beautifully made.

Opening bid: $500


Bev Bergeron --- Magic Auction page 4



Signed Card in Balloon:

Well-made – metal – signed card is loaded when the deck is set on the base of the balloon holder.

Opening bid: $50



Jack Gwyne’s Silks from Bowl:

A celluloid bowl with a tube in the center. Jack would pull silk scarves through the tube while circled by dark water.

Opening bid: $100



Card Sword:

If it is an Abbott’s then it is one of their better made one – top of the line card sword with the three cards hidden and trick can be performed surrounded.

Opening bid: $300



Siros One Man Floating Girl

This is one of a kind – the first, original one that Bill Siros had built and used to float a girl down Main Street of Houston, Texas in 1957. He got worldwide coverage for this. Bill gave it to me and I used it to float girls all over the country with the killer being over the swimming pool of the Langford Hotel in Winter Park, Fla. The Sentinel newspaper covered the floating with a colored picture two columns by 12 inches – front page.

Opening bid: $1,000

Abbott’s Super X

This is an Abbott’s Super X with different supports, which give the magician the opportunity to lower the board and walk away from it. Walter Blaney worked out the routine in 1952 with Bev giving a little help. Also the buyer will be taught Bev’s method of passing a sold hoop over the girl – a person from the audience walks the hoop across the girl. When Bev showed the method to Mark Wilson in 1973 at a industrial show, Mark’s comments were: “Why didn’t you come up with this when we were on the air?”

Opening bid: $500



Brama Rice Bowls

Copper – self-contained bowls that were given to Bev by Harry Willard the Wizard in 1948 when he became the master magicians assistant.

Opening bid: $100



Por-Mor-Fil-Mor Merv Taylor

The little pot that pours and pours small drinks and then the big one. Given to Bev by Harry Willard in 1948. Also a special routine given to Bev by Tommy Windsor, which allows one to seemingly pour even more drinks out of the container. A box of shot glasses included.

Opening bid: $100



Fl-Mt Glass – Merv Taylor

A collector’s only item – a lousy trick put out by Merv, but clever in construction. A small glass will fill with liquid with just a flick of the wrist. Over and over.

Opening bid: $25





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Rebo’s Trunk and Table

This trunk that converts into a roll on table was designed and build by Jim Summers and Bev. When Rebo worked a personal appearance it carried his act. When Rebo worked the State Fairs with Mark Wilson this trunk formed his dressing table. Draws pull out and special places for each trick. Sets up and takes down fast. Wheels come off for shipping – when you get there – they snap back on. Seen on “Rebo Nose Clowning” videotape.

Opening bid: $300



Owen’s Wooden Phantom Tube

Carl Owen built in the 1960s – a wooden Phantom Tube that hinges in the middle to show empty before the production. Natural finish – beautiful!

Opening bid: $100



Passe Passe Cigarette Packages

This was from the 1940s. Unknown builder. Two containers – one is used to cover a package of Luck Strikes. The package jumps from one container to the other. When the audience yells that there are two packs the magician agrees and pulls both containers up at once to show to packages of Campbell cigarettes.

Opening bid: $30



Linking Ring Tray

The type used by Blackstone, Sr. in his act. A tray of one inch in diameter rings is shown – rings poured into glass – magic and the rings are tossed onto the air – linked together. Wooden tray with well concealed trap door – natural finish.

Opening bid: $50



TV Card Frame

Two pieces of glass held together by rubber bands are put into a “TV” frame. Without cover a selected card returned to the deck is tossed at the glass panels – the chosen card in found between the two pieces of glass. An old-timer and worked many times, but still ready to perform.

Opening bid: $50



Botania – BIG – Abbott’s

A large botania flower production by Abbott’s. Two of the flowers need fixing, but ready to work. Flowers are still in good shape and look good.

Opening bid: $200



Fire Bowl to Flowers

Abbott’s – bowl is ignited by a chemical reaction of water and metal potassium. Once the fire is going a trap door lips over to put out the fire and releases a bouquet of spring flowers. Not practical for everyday use, but a good collectible – you can tell stories about how many times I set myself a fire with this thing in one week while working a NCO Club. Bowl only – no chemicals and no spring flowers.

Opening bid: $25







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Three Card Monte

The large stage size by Abbott’s. Made of thin wood with the dropping panels. Also a stand to place them on. Was a standard for school shows back in the 1940s/50s.

Opening bid: $50



Appearing Ladder from briefcase

Built by Wayne Rogers – well built and funny. A six foot ladder is pulled from a briefcase.

Opening bid: $200



Appearing Spade

A real looking spade (shovel) is pulled from behind a banner that shows the wrong card. The banner was “one spade” short. I’ve been carrying the Spade in my carpet bag and pulling it out at the right moment.

Opening bid: $100



Dove Pan

Classic with small legs to hold up pan – maker unknown

Opening bid: $10

Standard pan

Opening Bid: $10



Fold-Up Table

Billy McComb/Harbin idea – builder unknown

Opening Bid: $25



Vanishing Candles – Fantasio



Candle-Lite – Haskell’s



Shooting thru Girl – parts – Burling Hull – P & L type



Multiplying Cigarette Lighters



Appearing Bird Cage – Abbotts



Vanishing Bird Cage (3) Linhorst & Abbott’s – Special Vanish and Appearing routine finished.



Gimmick for Mail Bag escape – bar