Original Listing Description

This is a rare ticket envelope with two attached ticket stubs from the September 17th, 1917 evening performance of the musical extravaganza "CHEER UP" at the New York Hippodrome in New York City. (The patriotic variety show opened at the enormous Hippodrome on August 23rd, 1917 and ran for 456 performances.) ..... The highlight of the show was legendary illusionist HARRY HOUDINI (1874 – 1926) who thrilled a packed house nightly for nineteen weeks, the longest engagement of his career. Easily out-doing anyone else in the industry, Houdini chose a much more stunning illusion than pulling a rabbit out of a hat. He made one of the Power's 10,000 lb. elephants disappear. His “Vanishing Elephant” illusion featured the world’s largest stage as well as a troupe of trained elephants. The illusion called for only a huge cabinet, an elephant, and a team of twelve, strong men. Houdini began with a cabinet, he described as “about eight feet square, twenty six inches off the floor.” All parts of the cabinets were shown to the audience and the elephant was walked inside. Once inside the cabinet, the doors and curtains were closed. Once reopened, the cabinet was empty, the elephant vanished ..... DETAILS: This rare ticket envelope measures 4 1/4" X 2 5/8" inches and has the show's title on the front and advertising for New York's Hotel Breslin on the backside. The two ticket stubs measure approx. 1 1/2" X 2" inches ..... CONDITION: (Please Note!) The tickets are glued to the front of the envelope, there are surface abrasions and glue residue on the backside of the ticket stubs and a chipped edge and tape residue on the envelope flap. Despite these flaws, this rare set will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any theatre aficionado or magic historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Playbill collectors and appraisers.