RARE Billy McComb's Stretching A Rope Vest ca 1949

Description

From the Hank Moorehouse estate
This is a rare find
Billy McComb's Stretching A Rope Vest with Ropes, Vest, Instructions, 8" x 10" photo
and letter of provenance.
ca 1949
Billy McComb
(April 12, 1922 – April 30, 2006) was a British-born American
magician
and
comedian
. He was one of the
United Kingdom
's leading magicians in the 1950s and 1960s. He was hired to perform at the International of Magicians in 1962 and stayed at Jim Swoger's house in Pittsburgh, along with his wife and son, for six months before taking up residence in
Los Angeles, California
in the 1970s. He joined
The Magic Castle
in
Hollywood
, his number being 3323.
McComb decided to develop a talent he discovered at school as a magician and comedian. He made a name for himself in Ireland, then very quickly made his mark in London in the West End cabaret scene. He married June Cochrane, a former Miss Ireland and they became a performing duo. He performed before Queen Elizabeth II at a Royal Variety Performance in the early years of his career. He then began a very successful career as a magician and comedian performer aboard cruise ships internationally, with his magician's assistant, Mindy Masters. It was during this era of his career that his travels brought him to the United States. After he went to Hollywood, he made over three hundred appearances on television and in movies. He appeared in a number of television series and also opened for such stars as
Bob Hope
.
[
citation needed
]
One role was Walter Wilder in the 1995 film
Lord of Illusions
, directed by
Clive Barker
. He also appeared in the 1987 TV film
Young Harry Houdini
. He became a prominent figure at
The Magic Castle
and was affectionately billed as "The Worlds Largest Leprechaun." In 1964 he was invited to join the Entertainment charitable fraternity, the
Grand Order of Water Rats
.
[1]
In his 80s he continued to perform regularly in Las Vegas and as an opening act for
The Amazing Johnathan
. In his later years his act was noted for his self-deprecating jokes. In his opening he would look at his watch and say,
"It's either this or rice pudding night at the home."
Books he wrote include
The Professional Touch
and
Mc Comb's Magic: 25 Years Wiser
. He was a prolific inventor of magic and illusions, most famously known for creating such items as the "Mc Combical Deck" and the "Double Thin Model Sawing" routine, in which two assistants are sawed in half, and the halves of the two assistants are switched. This world-famous routine has been used by several other magicians and was even a
Jeopardy!
question. He was sought after by many as the answer man in magic when a magician was having difficulty locating or developing a particular routine.
Billy McComb died on April 12, 2006, aged 84, in
Los Angeles
, predeceased by his son, Sean McComb, who died in 2002. His widow, June McComb, died in 2007.
Please see photos for accurate description
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