THURSTON, Howard (1869 - 1936). Thurston Buried Alive / Children's Christmas Fund Ribbon. 1927. Red, white, and blue silk ribbon with metallic fringe printed in gilt with the text (now faded): "New York American Christmas Fund Benefit / Thurston Presents His Oriental Mystery / Buried Alive / Ebbetts Field / Brooklyn N.Y. / Oct. 30, 1927." With an upper pinback badge bearing the name "Thurston" in blue capital letters framed with a brass border. Approximately 7 x 2 1/2". RARE; one of only two examples of this ribbon with which we are acquainted. 

Thurston presented regular Buried Alive stunts to drum up ticket sales for his illusion show in the late 1920s. Chundra Bey was the man actually buried underground; Thurston used his unknown "powers" to place his Indian collague "in a trance" which would allow the man to sleep for hours or days while buried under mounds of heavy earth. This ribbon advertises an appearance at the legendary ballpark and home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Ebbets Field. 

Text quite faded, ribbon separated at top behind bade with "Thurston" text. Fragile condition.