The Sir David Kirch Collection of Skit Notes

Bank of Elfland, a note for £100 advertising the performances of Wiljalba Frikell, often known as Professor Frickell, 11 May 1868, serial number W/F 74899, signature of Wiljalba Frikell, bearing more than a passing resemblance to a real Bank of England £100, including the wording and vignette, minor edge damage, overall very fine and scarce
Outing unlisted £120-£160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Sir David Kirch Collection of Skit Notes.

View
Collection

Wiljalba Frikell (1816-1903) was a remarkable man, and a pioneer of the modern magic show. He is believed to have been the first magician to perform in evening dress, as opposed to the flowing robes hitherto used by all. He lost all his equipment in a fire early in his career and was accordingly forced to improvise a stage show using nothing but his hands, a few small objects and slight of hand. This type of show became his trademark and inspired a lot of modern magic. This note may relate to performance in Greenock as part of his UK tour in 1868.