McDonald Birch’s Aerial Fishing Outfit.

Birch, McDonald. McDonald Birch’s Aerial Fishing Outfit. Circa 1945. Complete props for Birch’s version of the Dr. Nix classic, in which the magician baits his rod, and casts the line over the audience, catching a live fish in the air over its head three times. Each time the fish is removed from the pole it is dropped into a bowl where the animal is seen to swim about. With three-compartment mechanical fishing rod, glass globe bowl, “bait box” including magician’s gimmicked fish bait and imitation fish, and specially-constructed table. The latter, trimmed in plush and gold braid with rhinestone accents, conceals two strong light bulbs which illuminate the fishbowl that sits atop it. Accompanied by lengthy documentation outlining the provenance of the props and Birch’s presentation of the trick.