Willard S. Smith and Thurston’s Throw-Out Card Change

While doing research on the “Ask Alexander” data base, I came across a very interesting story that encompasses my two favorite collecting interests, namely Thurston the magician, and of course throw-out cards.

In the May 1956 issue of “The Linking Ring” Willard S. Smith wrote an interesting article entitled “Howard Thurston throw-out cards” about how he influenced Thurston to change a throw-out card design he had been using, to the card design of Thurston on one side, and his stepdaughter Jane on the other.

It was while Thurston was appearing in Worcester, Massachusetts in October of 1928.  Smith had gone backstage to visit Thurston in his dressing room.  Smith noticed some of the magician’s throw-out cards advertising his “Perfect Breather” on the back of the card.  This was the anti-snoring device that Thurston had high hopes for.  He was expecting a financial windfall from it, but it never happened.

The Thurston transition went from the top two, to the bottom two cards.

Meet Jane Thurston

Gary Frank's recent post on Howard Thurston showcases exemplars of some of the magician's fine, rare scaling cards.   As we have noted elsewhere, there is little doubt that the throwouts produced and used by Thurston are among the most remarkable collectibles of the genre.   Perhaps the most common of Thurston card remains that featuring the magician on one side, and his daughter Jane on the reverse.

Rock On!

Tom's marvelous post on Will Rock (what a beautiful card) has inspired me to add another card from this performer and a few other tidbits of information.    I'm advised that in 1938, Rock bought a few of Howard Thurston's major illusions (including the Million Dollar Mystery) from Jane Thurston.  A few months later, Rock purchased the entire  Harry Thurston show for $1,000.   After the war, Rock did not return to the stage, instead working as a Detroit dry-cleaning plant's salesman until he retired in 1983. In 1954, Rock sold his Thurston props to illusionist Kirk Kirkham.  He died in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

This card, featuring a wackier portrait of the illusionist (I love the way his beard hands over the frame), is printed on heavy throwing card stock.  The back lists biographical information about several famous magicians.