Professor Heller's Magic Trick Cards, c. 1870s, Extremely Rare mid-century Italian vase There is a knick in

There is a knick in the wood on the upper right corner and wear in that area

It's June as I post this--the time of the year when I want cut flowers in every room--and this pitcher is 100% perfect for a big bunch of peonies

with a pretty inlaid border and music box

It shows some age: there is a tear near the center of the water

All of which makes me think about the circumstances and disposition of the particular woman who made this one--whether she lacked a community of women to trade with

Professor Heller's Magic Trick Cards, c. 1870s, Extremely Rare mid-century Italian vase There is a knick inYou know how much I love antique square corner no indices playing cards, so you can imagine how excited I was to find these antique magic trick cards! Even cooler to learn about the fascinating life of "Professor" Robert Heller (born William Henry Palmer; 18261878) the English magician, mentalist and musician who devised these (more about him below) and to find no other sets of these trick cards anywhere out there, at least that I can see. When