Literature of Legerdemain
Sat, Feb 28, 2026 11:00AM EST
Lot 156
WORTHINGTON, Thomas Chew (1882 – 1953). Archive of over 70 ...
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sold for
$2,640
Sold Price includes BP
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 |
WORTHINGTON, Thomas Chew (1882 – 1953). Archive of over 70 TLSs to magic collector John D. Lippy. 1929 – 1930. Worthington and Lippy discuss Howard Thurston, the Society of Osiris, business, family life, magic collecting, plans for a commemorative medallion depicting Herrmann, Thurston and Kellar, and much more. Typed on various letterheads, including Worthington's own, that of the Society of Osiris, and those of various companies Worthington represented as a sales agent. Condition generally very good. A unique archive of information between two pioneering magic collectors.
Worthington writes in both funny and fatalistic tones (“Business, rotten, home a volcano, so what the hell is the dif [sic], maybe I will forget to wake up some morning before long.”). Though discontented with his domestic circumstances (and life in general), a deep devotion to magic seems to have consistently buoyed his spirits, and is the thread connecting each letter and the two men to each other.
Offered together with several photocopies of letters written to Worthington regarding his “Temple of Magic” project and “buck for a brick” scheme. From Ken Klosterman’s Salon de Magie.
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