JOSEFFY (Joseph Freud, 1873 - 1946). Large Signed Portrait of Joseffy and Balsamo. [New York]: Hal Phyfe, ca. 1935. Left-facing half-length portrait of the inventor and magician with his remarkable talking skull, "Balsamo," perched in his outstretched hand. SIGNED by the photographer in the lower left. Framed to 14 x 11 1/2". Not examined out of frame. INSCRIBED AND SIGNED in white ink, "To Dr. Aaron G Lever, Medico extraordinary, with best wishes, Joseffy / 9 - 3- 36."

Among magicians, Joseffy's talking skull is famous, as it was a remarkable clockwork mechanism designed and constructed by the magician himself unlike any other model made, now or since. Phyfe is also known to magicians as the photographer who captured the iconic portrait of Dai Vernon in his prime, holding a pack of cards before him with smoke curling around his head.