If you collect art, you'll want to know about Le Grand David and his Own Spectacular Magic Company.  Their posters, programs and collectibles are among the most beautiful creations in the history of the performing arts.

Known as America's resident magic troupe, Le Grand David have been dazzling audiences for thirty years from the Cabot Street Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts.  More than a show, Le Grand David is a cultural treasure.  Everything they do, the props, the costumes, the collectibles, is designed in-house.

Since 1977 this group has created hundreds of different paper collectibles with all the characteristics that make sophisticated collectors drool:

• Beautiful art and images
• Limited quantities produced
• Narrow distribution at a local level and to the magician's community
• National recognition

As Le Grand David continues to grow and prosper, more collectors will discover the pleasures of their memorabilia.  Thanks to eBay, you can find Le Grand David in auctions and eBay Stores.  Offerings are sparse, but that contributes greatly to the thrill of the chase.  Here's a few items that have sold on eBay in the past few years.  (Please don't tell my wife I bought them!)

Signed Photo

This signed photo sold in auction on December 1, 2004, for $32.56 (including shipping) from seller collectstars in Miami, Florida.  It was item #2288689128.  The size is 8" x 10", in black and white.

Signed Program

This signed program sold in auction June 19, 2005, for $9.99 (including shipping) from seller rising950 from Washington, Connecticut.  It was item #6540246558.  The program was from 1979; the size was 9" x 12", with 50 pages total.

First Two Programs

On June 13, 2006, a lot of three early programs sold for $78.75 from seller abdabb from Foxboro, Massachusetts.  This included the rarity above, the first four-page program ever passed out to patrons at Le Grand David's first show in 1977.  The program is 6" x 9", 4 pages printed on blue cardstock, with ads on the back page for realtor Alden C. Goodnow, The Cookery and The Glass Sailboat, and the actual program in the centerfold.

The program above is considered the first official program for the group.  Produced in 1977, this 32-page program is packed with photos, art and ads.  It was produced by White Horse Productions, Inc., the owners of the Cabot Street Cinema Theatre.

Posters

The posters of Le Grand David are magnificent works of art, reminiscent of the lush magic posters of one hundred years ago.  The colors are vivid, and in many posters, the paper is thick and textured. 

One excellent guide to the early posters was published around 1983 by Le Grand David through White Horse Productions, titled "Carteles De Magia" (ISBN 0-940376-01-6).  This 24-page booklet describes the first nineteen posters issued by the company from 1977 through 1983.  I use it as a guide to help identify posters on eBay.  Here's a few of my purchases:

1979: "Backs of the Heads" poster issued April 1979, purchased for $40.00 plus $9.95 shipping in auction on January 8, 2007, from seller Folinico Fine Magic; the size is 14" x 16"

1979: "Bird of Paradise" poster issued May 1977, purchased for $55.02 plus $5.00 shipping in auction from seller raolsonmagic from Putnam, Connecticut; size is 17" x 23"

1980: "Okito Screens Poster" issued August 1980, purchased for $20.50 plus $5.75 shipping in auction on November 21, 2006, from seller abdabb from Foxboro, Massachusetts; size is 12" x 18"

1981: "Porcelain Figures" poster issued January 1981 honoring their 500th Performance for was purchased for $12.50 plus $4.00 shipping in auction on May 20, 2004, from seller edd713 from Whitehall, Pennsylvania; the size is 15" x 23"

1981: "Full Evening Show / Orange Poster" issued December 1981, purchased for $16.50 plus $5.75 shipping in auction on November 22, 2006 from seller abdabb from Foxboro, Massachusetts; the size is 16" x 22"

1982: "Marquee Poster" issued November 1982 honoring their 700th Performance was purchased for $26.00 plus $5.75 shipping in auction on September 1, 2005, from seller abdabb from Foxboro, Massachusetts; the size is 17" x 25"; another copy of this poster was purchased for $24.00 plus $10.00 shipping on January 6, 2007 in auction from seller magiccollectiblesplus from Inwood, New York

1983: "Legend" poster issued June 1983, purchased for $20.50 plus $5.00 shipping in auction on January 19, 2007, from seller raolsonmagic from Putnam, Connecticut; the size is 20" x 33"

1989: "Magic Hands" poster was purchased for $5.00 plus $4.00 shipping in auction on January 22, 2005, from seller drpmagic from El Dorado Springs, Missouri; this was not issued by Le Grand David, but rather from a European Magic company; I purchased another copy of this poster autographed by David and Marco for $10.00 plus $2.95 shipping in auction on May 13, 2005 from seller zuzuz*petals of Kent, Ohio; the size is 11" x 17"

Magazine Covers

Le Grand David has graced many covers of magazine magazines.  Here's a few samples, some of which can be found on eBay.

"Genii" magazine, August 1980, with Marco, David and Seth on the cover and a color program inserted into the center; original cover price was $1.50

"Genii", May 1981, with Marco on the cover getting an award as Magician of the Year from the Academy of Magical Arts, home to the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood

"Genii", January 1984, with the entire cast on the cover and a complete 32-page program inserted inside; original cover price was $2.00; I purchased it in auction August 13, 2005, for $7.49 (including shipping) from seller rickfishermagic from Yorktown, Indiana

"Gypsy Trader" newspaper, August/September 1995, with photos of the cast on the cover and a fold-out poster insert in the center; original cover price was $1.50

"The Linking Ring" magazine, October 1980, published for members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, with Marco, Seth and David on the cover

"The Linking Ring", February 1994, with Marco on the cover

"The Lining Ring", June 1998, with David on the cover

Not The End

I'm going to keep collecting Le Grand David and adding to this guide.  If you have any updates, let me know!  I'm really grateful to Le Grand David and his own Spectacular Magic Company for producing all this wonderful art.  Even if you can't visit their show, you can still enjoy their magic.

If this guide was helpful, please take a moment to leave feedback.  That would make me happy!  Have a nice day and thanks for viewing.