This item is based on the Jacob’s Ladder novelty. Louis Nikola was a successful professional magician, an expert in shadowgraphy and also a magic book author. His performing career spanned the 1910s to 1930s period. The purpose of this Jacob’s Ladder would have been to introduce Nikola. First the block with a Question Mark on it would be shown. The ladder then falls open to display WHO IS THIS. The ladder is then allowed to flip over and it displays LOUIS NIKOLA. This would have been manufactured by Harry Leat who was a friend of Nikola. Leat advertised these ‘Magic in a Name’ cards in his Leat’s Leaflets, No. 16 in 1928. It was also included in his catalogue, as illustrated here. The Davenport collection contains material from Louis Nikola and this particular example almost certainly came into the collection via Nikola. See also N2928.
Item Details
Size | At full length 100 x 1065mm. |
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Date | Probably 1920s or 1930s. |
People | Harry Leat, Louis Nikola |
Organisations | Harry Leat |
Key Phrases | Apparatus, Transformations |
Category | Magic |
Ref no | N2927 |