Potter & Potter Auctions
Live Auction

Winter Magic Auction

Sat, Dec 11, 2021 12:00PM EST
Lot 440

Milk Can Escape. American, ca. 1930s/40s. A large gimmicked...

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

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
Milk Can Escape. American, ca. 1930s/40s. A large gimmicked galvanized metal milk can from which the performer is able to escape, even when the vessel is filled with water and locked shut. Owned and used by American magician Houdeen (Svenne Herman DeHolt, 1890-1968) and sold together with a group of 18 Houdeen window cards (generally 22 x 14?, with duplicates, some well worn), one with an illustration of the milk can escape. Height 38?; diameter 24?. Playing card pip motif decorating the upper collar of the can. Minor rusting and tarnishing; good condition. According to an obituary which appeared in New Tops and other magic journals, DeHolt spent over 50 years as a magician, performing in schools, auditoriums, and halls under the name Houdeen. His son and only child, Jack, followed him in show business, touring with the Ken Griffin show.