Beschreibung:

Potter, RichardPerformance ticket. [N.p.: N.d., but early nineteenth century] Ticket (63 x 93 mm). Letterpress within a woodcut border featuring a magician's paraphernalia, printed on card, inscribed and signed by Milbourne Christopher on verso; closed tears, some soiling and browning, two pinholes. Perhaps the earliest ticket extant of an American magic performance. Potter is regarded as the first American-born magician to achieve success in his native country, and it also widely acknowledged to be the first African-American celebrity. Born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Potter claimed that his father was Sir Charles Henry Frankland, a tax collector for the Port of Boston, and that his mother, Dinah was a black slave in Franklin's household. Given that Franklin died in England in 1768, others have speculated that his true father may have been Henry Cromwell or George Simpson Indeed, Potter's early life is shroud in mystery, and the speculation surrounding it is something he actively encouraged. At some point, he travelled to Europe, where he joined John Rannie, a Scottish ventriloquist and magician. It was Rannie who came to the United States in 1800, and Potter toured with him as an assistant. Upon Rannie's retirement, Potter continued the act, with his success soon eclipsing his mentor's. The present ticket once belonged to another prominent figure in American magic, Milbourne Christopher. He served as President of the Society of American Magicians, honorary vice-president to The Magic Circle, and was one of the founding members of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He also wrote extensively on the topic. The ticket was presented by Christopher to John Mulholland, the American magician and spy. A rare piece with important provenance. REFERENCE:LP&FW 269; Exemplars 19 PROVENANCE:Milbourne Christopher (inscription to verso) — John Mulholland (inscription to verso)Condition reportCondition as described in catalogue entry.