Dr. Pepper sponsored several paper premium paper collectibles with the Magician Mark Wilson, including some rarities that you won't often find on eBay.  My name is San Diego Magician Michael E. Johnson, and I'm a big fan of Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell.

In 1954 Dr. Pepper sponsored Mark's very first television show "Time For Magic" in Dallas, Texas, which aired on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:45 - 6:00 p.m.  That show was a big hit, with a "20" share, and even rated higher that the CBS News, Perry Como, Howdy Doody and Dinah Shore. 

Mark coordinated several promotional items through the Dr. Pepper ad agency, Erwin Wasey, Ruthrauff and Ryan.  One of the first items was a booklet of simple tricks called "Dr. Pepper Sealed Secrets".  To get one, people had to mail in 12 Dr. Pepper bottlecaps.  He also had magic money that could be redeemed for a trick.

Mark told me personally that the first "Sealed Secrets" booklet was such a success, they did a second one.  Over 26 weeks, the public mailed in more than 300,000 Dr. Pepper bottle caps, and that was just from Dallas and Fort Worth!

Working with Dr. Pepper, Mark also travelled around and did at least one show a week at shopping centers and supermarkets.  There would be ads in the local papers mentioning the magic show, as well as promotional displays in the places where shows were held.

Here's two Dr. Pepper / Mark Wilson items from my personal collection.

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Postcard of Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell holding a rabbit in a hat, size 3 1/4" x 5 1/2", with a message on the back about "Time For Television" show sponsored by Dr. Pepper.  This item just sold on eBay for $42.75 on February 20, 2008, to ebay buyer iiicats (item #360023808984).

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Premium magic trick giveaway, the first premium ever used in conjunction with a television show, two semi-crescent shapes size 1 1/4" x 5", one red and the other beige colored, on cardstock, with the message "Watch 'Time for Magic' on Television" and a picture of a bottle cap for Dr. Pepper.

In this trick, the shape on the bottom looks longer than the shape on the top, until you reverse the order.  The one on the bottom always looks longer due to an optical illusion.  However, both shapes are the same size.

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A recent auction on eBay featured several items from Dr. Pepper's first magic premium television campaign.  The final price on that Feb. 19, 2008, sale was $157.51, for about eight items, including a TV show poster, "Sealed Secrets" instructions, two boomerang card tricks (like above), original envelopes, and a Dr. Pepper's Time For Magic trick booklet.  The seller was javadogcafe from Rochester, Illinois, and the item number was 160208242202.

Here's some additional Guides I have written about Magician Mark Wilson:

Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell Magician Autograph Guide

Frito-Lay Premium Collectibles and Magician Mark Wilson

Pepsi Premium Collectibles With Magician Mark Wilson

Magician Mark Wilson Business Card Collecting Examples

Thanks for taking a moment to read my Guide.  If you have any updates, let me know and I'll keep adding to this.  Now I have a favor to ask you.  Could you please leave me feedback?  That would make me so happy.  Have a nice day!