The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-02
RORERr HELLER.s EFfEcrs.
Why his Magical Apparatus IL TO be Sold.
his VIII TO the Contrary.

Ever since the death Of Robert Heller
there has been discussion In .he press and
elsewhere concerning the disposition OF his
valuable magicians' apparatus. There Is now
stored In this city nearly one hundred
large packing cases filed with these goods.
which embrace every variety Of trick machinery
and property known to exhibitors. much OF
which 5 Mr.. H.llrrs exclusive property and
invention. Besides what he designed and had
constructed in this country. he had London
warehouse on the Strand. near the Adephi
Theatre. from whence he was furnished at
stated periods with startling novelties in the
way Of magic tables. trick boxes, and trick
apparatus Of all kinds By the terms Of his will
an this was TO be destroyed. but it now appears
that during the last days of his life the great
prrstdigitateur expressed a desire 10 have
This part Of his testament dsre-urlel and the
apparatus sold for the benefit of his hoirs. II
II said that ia coming 10 this decision Mr.. Heller
WIS luhuencelhy the representations OF friends
and others that theS' goods formed too valuable
q portion Of mis- assets 10 be sacrificed 10 mere
Conrernng their sale Miss Hqldee Heller
sand last evening; - II is true that intend sell
ing ny brother, apparatus. and ! have an or
d"r from the Surrogate permitting me 10 do SO.
Mr.. Heller. two DAYS before his death. told both
Mr.. Dunuciiy MS uErnt. and myself thHt he
wished that part OF his viii proyi INK for the
Destruction " his apparatus t. %" dl-rrgardsd'
he repeated the same lulunrtlon L. me un ms
y
BE- no poss bic objection To- the sale. The money
resulting vii. bee dlyidrl according 20 the pro-
visions Of the will. His wife and her three
chiir"u will Of course come In Tor their iull
what first induced your brother TO put this
singular provision in his WHY
" He had "a great r"puguHnce 10 his apparatus
falling into the hands Of inexperienced profes-
sionus on persons VINO would not make "A cred
table us" OF il. y sides. he underestimate iis
value. II was while attending an amateur OK.
/ hibiton IN Fifth Avenue Hal b. Mr.. sanchez "
! the Spanish Legation that he realized the mer,
| chnnhble value Of sueh apparatus, and the fact
among rlch nnat"urs why there Is ono
! private gentleman ia New York who has
hall fitted MP over mis- stables in which he gives
| dmHteur entertainments 10 his friends. This
! gentleman alone owns $50 900 worth of mag zeal
! apparatus. Some of the trick machinery eA-
! hiuted by Mr.. sanchez was valued as high MS
~ 100 and 81. 500. although there are pieces IN
! Mr.. Hellers stock far more Intricate and aston
| ishing. Ny brother became convinced that At
private sale these goods would bring large
| price, and accordingly ha determined to cancel
! the provision about burning thom.
| There are ninety-siX large packing cases
| altogether seventy OF which brought on from
| Philadelphia. The apparatus was SO bulky that
| had to charter n special ear Tor the purpose.
| The whole ninoiy-sx cases are now stored with
| an express company in TINS city. and Will be
| disposed of in such quantities as We think n.y.,
| "'lhc statement in one Of the PhilAde phia
| papers TO the effect TINT some u my bro!hers
| creditors were all waiting Tor lh9lr pay, &C. -
| t,rely untrue. Every claim has been paid and
| audited by me. The only trouble was with Mr..
| Lombard the owner OF Concert Hall, which
Mr.. Heller had leased i2r tw2 months az rent
| only given one performance when he died. Mr..
| Lombard demanded the whole OF the rent
offered 5000. and he inally compromised on
Miss Heller is engaged in writing history OF
| her brOthor'a life and adventures on Two contl-
nents 10 be published by Carleton; sho Is now
visiting at 1862 East Twenty third street.
|