Potter & Potter Auctions
Live Auction

September Magic Auction Online

Sat, Sep 12, 2020 12:00PM EDT
Lot 185

Barton, James. Portrait of Magician James ?El Barto? Barton...

Estimate: $50 - $150

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$30 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
Barton, James. Portrait of Magician James ?El Barto? Barton, Inscribed and Signed. Philadelphia: Sommer Studios, 1910. Cabinet card half-length portrait of the Pennsylvania magician who invented several effects, including the Billiard Ball Box, and in his formative years, served as an apprentice to Signor Blitz. 9 x 6?. With a lengthy inscription on the verso: ?Notice ? use no tacks. On the waters of life I may stray. From the dearest and best with regards. But in memory?s bright stone, night and day. Your friendship I?ll never forget. To the ?Mustum in Parvo? of good fellows, ?Sammy? Bailey from an appreciative friend and brother in the addictive art of ?Hocus Pocus,? ? ?El Barto.? (N.B. I?ll take a little applause for that.) Dec. 6th 1910.? Embossed photographer?s mount with grommets above and below the portrait. Wear to extremities, else very good.