Important Archive of Correspondence from Charlie Miller to Faucett Ross.

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Sleight of Hand - The Jeff Busby Collection

By Potter & Potter Auctions

Aug 19, 2017 - Aug 20, 2017

Set Reminder 2017-08-19 11:00:00 2017-08-20 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Sleight of Hand - The Jeff Busby Collection https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/potter-potter/sleight-of-hand---the-jeff-busby-collection-2513
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• Lot Description
  Miller, Charlie (Charles Earle Miller). Important Archive of Correspondence from Charlie Miller to Faucett Ross. Remarkable for their content - both anecdotal and factual - Miller describes in great deal the working and subtleties behind many of the effects in his ever-evolving repertoire. Among these are an early description and diagram of the Malini Egg Bag, as well as "touches" and complete routines for effects including the Sun and Moon, Hofzinser's Obliging Bouquet, Leipzig's Cigars from Purse, effects devised by Vernon, Manuel, Horowitz, and Paul Fox, the Linking Rings, Ring on Stick, and dozens of card tricks, parlor effects, and close-up tricks. Dozens of hand-drawn illustrations complement the text. The letters also go on at length regarding gossip and other members of magic's "inner circle," often in unflattering terms. This coterie included Dai Vernon, Jay Ose, Larry Jennings, Bruce Cervon, Leo Behnke, and dozens more. Miller also frequently comments on the early days of the Magic Castle. Many missives also confess personal and deeply private feelings. Miller describes his many performances, outlining his complete program and his success (or lack thereof). Typed and handwritten, primarily on blank 4to sheets. Many run to five pages or more, with one early letter spanning over 30 handwritten pages. 1930s - 80s (bulk 1960s). A handful of the letters in the archive written by Miller to Frank Csuri. Over 300 pages in all. Neatly organized. These letters were the basis of Frank Csuri's "underground" notebook on the magic of Charlie Miller. While universally acknowledged as an accomplished, knowledgeable, and exceptionally skillful magician, Miller struggled for most of his life to find steady work. In many ways the consummate amateur, he constantly tinkered with tricks, methods, and presentations, and as a result, some would say, lost sight of the bigger picture: performing for the public. Much of his attention to detail is laid bare in these letters, which describe his endless obsession with refining the effects he performed. For decades, Miller was known to magicians as "America's houseguest," living off the good graces and in the homes of many friends, Faucett Ross included. Despite his personal failings, he was, by all accounts, not only a kind man, but one who, with the right direction and determination, would have been equal to or better than most of his contemporaries.
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