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The International Brotherhood of Magicians

31 Jan

LeGrand David and his own Spectacular Magic Company Equipment and Memorabilia to Be Sold at Auction

Category: News   Posted by: I.B.M. Website Editor


The magic illusions, props, memorabilia, original artwork, and several significant bronzes from the Le Grand David and his own Spectacular Magic Show of Cabot Street Cinema Theatre fame are to be sold by Kaminski Auctions this month. The auction will take place at the Cabot Street Cinema Theatre, 286 Cabot Street, Beverly, Massachusetts, on Sunday, February 23, starting at 10:00 a.m.
For over thirty-five years (February 1977--May 2012), Marco the Magi’s production of Le Grand David and his own Spectacular Magic Company delighted audiences of all ages in downtown Beverly, becoming a New England institution. In 1999, the Guinness Book of World Records established that Beverly’s wonder-working troupe held the world record for the longest-running stage magic production.
Le Grand David and his own Spectacular Magic Company has been called “the greatest magic show of the last hundred years.” Featuring Marco the Magi (Cesareo Pelaez), Le Grand David, and a large performing ensemble, the production premiered on February 20, 1977. Three years later they were featured in a two-page spread in Time magazine (May 12, 1980), which garnered them national and international recognition.
Bob Lund, founder of the American Museum of Magic in Marshall, Michigan, visited the show numerous times over the years and described it as “one of the great adventures of my life.” Lund wrote to founder Cesareo Pelaez, “I tell everyone who takes the tour of the museum that if they want to see the finest magic show in the world today, they must travel to Beverly, to see Le Grand David.”
Over the years the awards and accolades were numerous. Pelaez was inducted by unanimous vote into the Society of American Magicians’ Magic Hall of Fame in Hollywood, California. The Le Grand David Spectacular Magic Company was also featured in National Geographic, The Christian Science Monitor, and declared the “The Best Magic Show in the World” by Yankee Magazine.
Marco, David, and Company performed six times at the White House Annual Easter Egg Roll for over 30,000 guests and were invited as special guests to entertain the families of the Washington D.C. diplomatic corps by First Lady Nancy Reagan at the White House Christmas party.
Fans, historians, and collectors of magic history alike are expected to bid on the exquisite original artwork, superbly decorated stage magic illusions and props, hand-painted backdrops, and the many fantastic posters created for the production over the years. Featured in the sale are several bronzes created by David F. Bull (father of Le Grand David).  The largest weighs over five hundred pounds and depicts Marco the Magi suspending Le Grand David on the bristles of a broom while members of the cast look on in wonder.
Preview hours for the sale will be held at the Cabot Street Cinema theater on Wednesday, February 19 through Saturday, February 22, from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and from 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 23, the day of sale.  Bidding may be offered in person, online, by absentee or phone bid starting at 10:00 a.m EST. For more information and to sign up to bid online through KaminskiLive go to www.kaminskiauctions.com or call 978-927-2223.

 


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