Civil War New York

New York Pre-Civil War Token Magician Herr Alexander NY 42 Gilt Brass

New York Pre-Civil War Token Magician Herr Alexander NY 42 Gilt Brass
New York Pre-Civil War Token Magician Herr Alexander NY 42 Gilt Brass
New York Pre-Civil War Token Magician Herr Alexander NY 42 Gilt Brass

New York Pre-Civil War Token Magician Herr Alexander NY 42 Gilt Brass    New York Pre-Civil War Token Magician Herr Alexander NY 42 Gilt Brass

1847 Merchant Token for Herr Alexander, Magician in New York City. Miller NY 42 (gilt brass) NGC AU-50 (we grade it EF) ex Virgil Brand. Herr Alexander, real name Johann Friedrich Alexander Heimburgher, was a professional magician. Born December 4, 1819, in Munster, Germany, he began his professional career as an assistant to German magician Feidinand Becker.

Immigrating to the United States at the end of 1843, Herr Alexander soon found great success performing on his own throughout North and South America. His services were sought by P. Barnum and he performed at the White House for President Polk on several occasions. Alexander accumulated sufficient wealth while in the U.

To retire upon his return to Germany in 1854. Houdini is said to have interviewed Herr Alexander a few times before Alexander's death in 1909. This high relief 30 mm token, designed by Charles Cushing Wright, is often considered to be the earliest magician's token in America since it was produced while Herr Alexander was performing.

As the reverse states, it is a commemorative medal commissioned by the magician's friends in New York in 1847. This is an attractive and well struck example with subdued brass color and generous amounts of the gold-plating remaining in protected areas. NGC assigned a grade of AU-50, but we feel an EF grade is more appropriate for its state of preservation.

This token was previously in the collection of Virgil Brand as noted on the slab label. The item "New York Pre-Civil War Token Magician Herr Alexander NY 42 Gilt Brass" is in sale since Thursday, April 19, 2018. This item is in the category "Coins & Paper Money\Exonumia\Tokens\ US Trade".

The seller is "bricksntokens" and is located in Baytown, Texas. This item can be shipped to United States.

  • Circulated/Uncirculated: Circulated
  • Certification: NGC
  • Composition: Gilt Brass
  • Grade: AU-50
  • Type: Merchant Token


New York Pre-Civil War Token Magician Herr Alexander NY 42 Gilt Brass    New York Pre-Civil War Token Magician Herr Alexander NY 42 Gilt Brass