KELLAR, Harry (Heinrich Keller, 1849 ? 1922). The Spectres Sanctum Illusion Hand-Drawn Diagram and Letter. Penciled on a single sheet in Harry Kellar's hand, and being a partial ALS from Kellar to Houdini regarding the working of his Spectres Sanctum illusion on the recto, with a detailed diagram with directions by Kellar on the verso, including directions for controlling the lighting to cause a ghost to appear or vanish on stage during the performance, ala the creations of Thomas Tobin and Professor Pepper. From the Circus Museum of Sarasota Collection. Perhaps the only known sketch of a stage illusion in the hand of Harry Kellar. In Kellar's hand under the sketch appears descriptive text outlining the working of the illusion and indicating how the ?ghost appears in full light."The illusion outlined here was in essence a short magical play in which both people and objects slowly appeared and disappeared inside a room painted purple in color. The effect was originated by J.N. Maskelyne and first performed at London's Egyptian Hall, the rights for American performances having been purchased by Kellar. A lengthy typed description above the diagram states, ?NOTE: This [is the] ORIGINAL ? ?Kellar" letter on the Blue Room Illusion, to Harry Houdini, and was purchased from his collection, thru ?Mr. Leo Rullmann, for Linden Heverly, or ?Heverly," June 21st, - 1927? Written and drawn by Harry Kellar, in his own handwriting::::"While there are similarities between the Blue Room and the Spectres of the Sanctum, the diagram clearly shows the latter, which was, in essence, a modified version of what is today widely known as Pepper's Ghost. From Ken Klosterman's Salon de Magie.