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Willard the Wizard-The Last of the Big Tent Show Magicians-1st Edition-SIGNED+++

$ 44.88

Availability: 67 in stock
  • Condition: THE BOOK IS VERY NICE. THE AUTHOR, BEV BERGERON SIGNED THE BOOK. HIS DEDICATION TO THE MAGIC GROUP SHINES IN THE WORDS HE WROTE. IT IS A TRUE ONE-OF-A-KIND!
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted

    Description

    Willard the Wizard
    The Last of the Big Tent Show Magicians Book
    OOP 1st Edition
    SIGNED BEAUTIFULLY BY AUTHOR BEV BERGERON IN 1998
    PLUS
    Original Ephemera Advertisements of the Willard family!
    Here's the book information:
    Title:
    Willard the Wizard
    Author: Bev Bergeron
    ISBN: None
    Publisher
    : Lake Cane Publications
    Publication Date: 1978
    Hardcover
    Book Size: 8 ¾ X 11 1/4
    Pages: 156
    Edition: First Edition
    Book Condition: Fine Condition
    Dust Jacket Condition: Minor wear as seen. I will include a plastic removable protective Brodart covering over the dust jacket to protect the dust jacket.
    Bev
    Bergeron first saw the Willard Shows in 1940; eight years later he joined the show and began an adventure that has brought him through every facet of show business. This is a classic view of the times, seen through the affectionate eyes of a young man whose life was forever changed by the Willard's performance.
    Beginning in Ireland about 1840 with James Willard, Elder, a magic tradition began in the Willard family. At one time there were as many as five Willard the Wizards, each performing with his own large touring show. Harry Willard was the last touring Wizard. He startled the world with his thumb tie and Spirit Cabinet. Three different 2-hour shows were performed each week. Seventeen trucks carried the mysteries. It was a period when magic theater was enjoyed by all.
    Bev Bergeron's story of the Willard the Wizard Shows is a history of theater, America, magic, and family. Told with reverence, awe and warmth, filled with photographs, handbills and anecdotes from others, Bev gives us a wonderful, nostalgic and amazing look at early 20th century magic theater. This book was used by The Smithsonian Institution for research in their tribute to American Tent Theater
    Contents
    11 An Historical Tribute to a Magical Family
    19 Willard Show (Doc
    Harad
    )
    21 Tiny Titanic Trickster (Arthur Leroy)
    26 Poem (George Warrick)
    27 The Best Dang Magician You Ever Saw (Walter
    Blaney
    )
    29 Last of the Old Time Masters (Doc
    Mahendra
    )
    34 Running Down the Willards
    35 The Tent Show and Its People
    37 An Assistant Remembers
    39 Get the Flags Flying (Madeline Willard Copeland)
    41 The Tent People
    46 View of the Tent
    50 Press Clippings
    57 The Influence of the Willard Show
    61 A Willard Handbill
    65 The
    Towners
    67 The Magic of the Willards
    68 The Programs
    73 The Magic
    135 The Entertainer
    136 Patter
    143 Marionettes
    145 Cueing and Stooges
    149 The Death of the Tent Show
    152 A Tribute (Glenn Tucker)
    153 Index
    156 Poem (Frances Willard Tucker)
    The book looks fine (actually, nearly unread). The d/j has minor imperfections as you can see. I will take care of them when I place the removable Brodart plastic cover around it.
    PLUS
    I am including a three nice pieces of original Willard ephemera for you. They all show age as you can see. The one Pelly Theater advertisement (closed measures 9" x 12") was laminated by David Price and was purchased at his home many years ago. The others are reminiscent of the types of advertisements the Willards used when they were traveling with their show. All of these pieces are original! The three pieces are various sizes. The other two pieces measure approximately 15" x 12" (pulp paper with minor tears and complete). The other one is 9" x 12".
    Any questions? Please let me know.