Photographs by Corrado Serra.

“Summer of Magic: Treasures from the David Copperfield Collection features highlights from the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, the incomparable trove of magical historical artifacts from the Emmy Award-winning illusionist David Copperfield. Evoking the New York magic shops that sparked Copperfield’s imagination, displays explore the careers and achievements of legendary magicians from the Golden Age of Magic (1880s–1930s) and showcase iconic objects used by Harry Houdini in his famous escape stunts, culminating with the Death Saw—one of Copperfield’s  groundbreaking illusions.” — New-York Historical Society

“Visitors will be captivated as they discover the tricks, illusions, and escapes that mystified audiences in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,” said Dr. Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of the New-York Historical Society. “Our Summer of Magic is sure to thrill and entertain as we explore the links between magicians and their craft.”

Entrance to Summer of Magic

Front: Legendary magicians from the Golden Age of Magic (1880s–1930s). Back: David Copperfield

Legendary magicians from the Golden Age of Magic (1880s–1930s)

A recreation of a magic shop evokes the legendary New York City stores like Macy’s Magic Counter and Tannen’s Magic Shop that inspired and nurtured many magicians.

Left to right: Harry Houdini’s Metamorphosis Trunk, ca. 1900; Stage costume worn by Beatrice Houdini, early 1900s; Harry Houdini’s Milk Can, ca. 1908

Left to right: Stage costume worn by Beatrice Houdini, early 1900s; Harry Houdini’s Milk Can, ca. 1908; Regulation straitjacket used by Harry Houdini, ca. 1920

David Copperfield

Summer of Magic is curated by Cristian Petru Panaite, assistant curator of exhibitions.