-40%
Willard the Wizard-The Last of the Big Tent Show Magicians-1st Edition-SIGNED+++
$ 44.88
- Description
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Description
Willard the WizardThe 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.