History of Magic – Harry Houdini
When I say the words “famous magician”, the first person you are likely to think of is Harry Houdini. Inspiring to millions of fans and would be magicians alike, Houdini performed over a century ago.
So why do we still remember him?
The answers may surprise you!
History of Magic – Robert Houdin
Many people admire great inventors of the past. Edison, Tesla, Ford. You have probably heard these names before. But have you ever heard of Robert Houdin? He was a French magician in the 19th century that easily fits alongside the pantheon of great inventors! Robert Houdin is considere the father of modern day magic.
History of Magic – Aldo Colombini
Aldo Colombini one of the most beloved of magicians was born in Italy in 1951 and moved to United States of America in 1993. Those who met him were most certainly touched with his charm, humour and the beautiful magic that he created. Aldo was a very good performer, creator, author and lecturer. He was fluent in Italian, English, Spanish and French that enabled him to lecture and perform in many different countries.
History of Magic – Doug Henning
Many famous magicians have contributed something worthwhile to the art of magic and will go down in the annals of magic history. Canadian born magician, illusionist Doug Henning most certainly did. Henning (1947-2000) gave his first children’s magic shows at age 14 and became instantly popular. He obtained a University degree in psychology, and then won a Canadian theatrical grant of $4000 that enabled him to develop and build a stage television show called Spellbound.
History of Magic – Edgar Wilson Benyon
New Zealand, being such a small country with a population of sheep and possums that far outnumbered the inhabitants was where Edgar Wilson Benyon was born in 1901. He became known as the Great Benyon, the finest magical performer the country ever produced. Benyon was a man of many talents, beginning as a juggler, fire eater, and ventriloquist and was to add the further talents of mimicry, balancing, paper tearing, magic, mind reading and illusion and was mostly self-taught.
History of Magic – Chung Ling Soo
Perhaps one of the best illusions that Chung Ling Soo performed was the fact that although he was an American named William Robinson, throughout his life he disguised himself and performed as a Chinese magician. In full Chinese costume, everyone thought he really was Chinese. He fooled his audiences all his life, so I guess you could call that a really good magic trick.
History of Magic – David Copperfield
He has been described as the greatest magician of the century and millennia. He has received countless awards and achievements and is surely a living legend in his own time. The wonder of David Copperfield’s magic has touched everyone, as he continues to amaze and mystify. His illusions are bewildering and spectacular, while his intimate magic continues to enthral people of all ages. Truly the greatest magician of all time who will be remembered through the history of one of the oldest crafts.
History of Magic – Dynamo
Steven Frayne otherwise known as Dynamo has captured the imagination of so many people by introducing a new era in magic. He has been described as captivating, amazing, incredible unbelievable and perhaps – a real magician. He has also become a highly criticized performer for the extreme sort of magic that he does. Yet he has lifted the simple magic trick into a whole different class. Much of what he does is extraordinary and he has a great following among young people, magicians and older people alike.
History of Magic – Mark Wilson
Magic books are a great way to study and learn magic coupled with teaching videos that are found on the Magicians Magic Tricks for Kids. After a long career as a master illusionist, Mark Wilson whose long running television show “The Magic Land of Alakazam” through the 1960’s & 70’s will be remembered by many older members. Mark wrote a wonderful encyclopedic book, titled, “Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic” and that’s exactly what this book is, an actual full course in magic for you to learn magic tricks.
History of Magic – John Nevil Maskelyne
John Nevil Maskelyne was born in Gloucestershire England in 1839. His list of accreditation’s describes him as a magician, escapologist, inventor, author and paranormal investigator. He trained as a watchmaker and developed a real skill with clockwork and mechanical devices. His interest in magic came about by watching the famous Davenport Brothers present their so called spirit cabinet illusion. With his friend George Cooke a cabinet maker, they worked out how the spirit cabinet effects worked and then built their own cabinet exposing the Davenport brothers in 1865 as frauds.
History of Magic – Lance Burton
One of the finest magician / illusionists I have had the privilege of seeing was multi award winning performer Lance Burton. He will earn his place in the history of magic for his fine contribution to our craft. He won his first ‘Gold Medal of Excellence’ award at the I B M convention in 1980, then went on to win the prestigious ‘Federation Internationale des Societes Magiques‘ (FISM) Grand Prix in Lausanne Switzerland in 1982. I was privileged to witness that presentation where he performed a beautiful, classic dove act.
History of Magic – Juliana Chen
Possibly one of the finest exponents of sleight of hand magic and the winner of numerous awards is the Chinese magicienne Juliana Chen, born in the Chinese province of Hunan in 1986. At age 10 she was selected to train at the Hunan Performing Arts Academy and underwent study in ballet, gymnastics foot and hand juggling. After two leg injuries she was discouraged from continuing with foot juggling and while in hospital saw a television programme by the famous Japanese magician Shimada a brilliant magician in his own right.
History of Magic – Criss Angel
No introduction is probably needed for the performer who is credited to have appeared on more television shows with his magic than any other living magician. He has broken many world records, performed hundreds of stage shows and illusions and continues to amaze his audiences with his bizarre magic that bewilders and enthrals people. Criss Angel began his magical career in New York where he was born to Greek parents on December 19, 1967. He performed his first magic show at age 12 for which he was paid the princely sum of $10. He spent his high school years performing in New York restaurants and his first illusion was floating his mother in their home.
History of Magic – Dai Vernon
Most magicians will admit that Dai Vernon made a huge impact on close-up magic and lifted it to a new level. David Verner was born in Ottawa, Canada in 1894. He learnt his first magic trick from his father at age 7, stating later he had“Wasted the first 6 years”. He later changed his name to Dai Vernon that was to become synonymous with his expert sleight of hand technique and extensive knowledge that garnered him high respect among fellow magicians. His considerable influence among the magic fraternity earned him the title of “The Professor”.
History of Magic – Robert Harbin
In a small gold mining and maize farming area just south of Johannesburg, South Africa lays the small insignificant town of Balfour. On February 4th 1909 young Ned Williams was born there, to later become quite famous as a stage magician and illusionist. Young Ned saw his first magician, an ex-serviceman perform at his local primary school and who at the time he didn’t think was particularly good, but seeing magic performed on the school stage piqued his interest and decision to become a magician. At age twenty Ned left South Africa and moved to London.
History of Magic – Harry Blackstone Sr
During the 1930’s Harry Blackstone Sr became the most popular illusionist of the time and was a rival of Harry Houdini. Born in 1875 Blackstone received a magic trick for his 8th birthday that began his lifelong love of magic. He and brother Peter became cabinetmakers and together they put together an act on the vaudeville circuit building their own props. As a result of purchasing a deceased magicians full illusion show, enabled Blackstone to now incorporate these illusions in his stage show. He also became an accomplished sleight of hand performer. His brother was responsible for designing and building many more illusions for his brother.
History of Magic – Siegfried and Roy
Possibly one of the greatest magic/illusion shows of all time was that of Siegfried and Roy who captured the imagination of more than twenty five million people during their incredible career. Siegfried Fishbacher was brought up in Rosenheim Germany while Roy Horn came from Nordeheim. During his youth Siegfried found a 5 Mark bill in his street and bought a magic book that he studied earnestly. Roy Horn spent a lot of his youth at the Bremen Zoo because he was attracted to exotic animals and ended up looking after a 2 year old Cheetah called Chico.
History of Magic – Dante The Magician
Possibly one of the greatest magic/illusion shows of all time was that of Siegfried and Roy who captured the imagination of more than twenty five million people during their incredible career. Siegfried Fishbacher was brought up in Rosenheim Germany while Roy Horn came from Nordeheim. During his youth Siegfried found a 5 Mark bill in his street and bought a magic book that he studied earnestly. Roy Horn spent a lot of his youth at the Bremen Zoo because he was attracted to exotic animals and ended up looking after a 2 year old Cheetah called Chico.
History of Magic – Matthias Burchinger
Magic is the most universal of all the arts. The same feats that baffle enthral and delight audiences around the world have a fascinating evolving history. Mystery is the key element of magic and once the secret is revealed the magic loses its appeal. Magicians are legitimate deceptionists and here we get a glimpse of the life of a unique conjuror who was born without arms or legs. Matthias Burchinger was born in Anspach Germany on June 2nd 1674 and later became known as“The Little Man of Nuremberg”. He was married four times, had eleven or some say 14 children and is rumoured to have fathered more children with various mistresses.
History of Magic – Paul Daniels
Through the centuries Britain has produced a number of very famous entertainers. One of the better known magicians would undoubtedly be Yorkshire born (1938) Paul Daniels who had become a familiar face on our television screens during the years 1970 to the 1990’s. Paul Daniel’s interest in magic began after reading a book ‘How to Entertain at Parties’ when he was aged 11 and knew at that stage he truly wanted to be a professional magician. His father was a cinema projectionist then a grocer that prompted Paul to start his own grocery business.
History of Magic – Al Koran
The name Edward Charles Doe may not mean much to magicians but the name Al Koran most certainly will. He was born in Upper Clapton East London on March 4th 1917. As a 12 year old youth Eddie Doe watched street performer Pins Draper working in Petticoat Lane. He became hooked on magic and for helping Draper carry his bags and acting as a stooge, Draper taught Eddie a few simple tricks and basic sleight of hand. This was Koran’s introduction to sleight of hand for which he became well known around London before developing his interest in mentalism.
History of Magic – Kalanag
Probably the most famous German magician / illusionist would have to be Kalanag, born Helmut Schreiber in Fornsbach near Stuttgart in 1903. Although famous throughout his broad career he had a rather problematic background. Despite his achievements as a grand stage illusionist, his reputation and props lay in tatters, as his career came to an end. Helmut Schreiber prior to the Second World War was involved in the German Film Industry and was president of the German Magic Circle and editor of the German Magic Magazine ‘Magie’.
History of Magic – Annie Abbott
When we think of magic it often conjures up brightly decorated tubes, boxes, rabbits, doves and the usual magic tricks and paraphernalia that magicians normally use. However over the years there have been some performers who have resorted to other forms of magical entertainment. And so for Dixie Annie Haygood (nee Jarrett) born in 1861 in Baldwin County, Georgia U S A, she too was to become a magician who never used the traditional magicians props. Little Annie was to soon become known as,”Annie Abbott the Georgia Magnet” with an act that would take her right around the world.
History of Magic – John Henry Anderson
John Henry Anderson (1814-1874) a professional magician was born in Scotland but was orphaned at age 10. He is credited with helping to bring magic from street and country fair performances into theatres and uplifting the art of magic to a whole new social level. At an early age he joined a travelling drama group but began to perform magic at age 17. A good lesson can be learned here of the advantages of magicians joining a theatrical group to gain stage experience and theatre knowledge, something we magicians often tend to neglect.
History of Magic – Stewart James
Although the name Stewart James was vaguely familiar to me it was only after learning a terrific card trick called, “Further than that”created by Stewart James that I began a search for information about this extraordinary magician. He was one of the 20th century’s most prolific inventors of over 400 magic tricks and magical plots and authored a number of excellent manuscripts. Stewart James ideas and concepts have been adopted by countless magicians worldwide. As proof of his genius he has been described as a real life magical mastermind. He developed an uncanny ability to create outside the box.
History of Magic – Tommy Cooper
Any magician wishing to add comedy to their show should watch and study the antics of the late Tommy Cooper who mixed his comedy with magic tricks that always went wrong. Born in Glamorgan Wales in 1921 he and family soon moved to Devon in the UK. His aunt gave him a magic set at age 8 that he spent hours perfecting. His brother David opened a magic shop in 1930 that was to further influence Tommy’s career. With the advent of the Second World War he signed up and served under General Montgomery in Egypt. He joined the NAAFI, entertaining the troops, revolving around a comedy act that involved bungled magic.
History of Magic – James Randi
Randall James Hamilton Zwinge was born in Toronto on August 7th 1928 but is better known by his stage name as, ‘The Amazing Randi’. Now retired but still very magically active, he became known as an escapologist, mentalist, conjuror, and scientific skeptic. After a bicycle accident as a child he was placed in a body cast for 13 months and read a number of magic books. Then he saw Harry Blackstone Sr. perform and decided then and there to make magic his life. It was Harry Blackstone’s levitation of a lady high above the stage that filled Randi with wonder and awe.
History of Magic – Uri Geller
Possibly one of the most controversial magicians of the 20th century is the Israeli pseudo psychic Uri Geller who continues to this day to deny that he is a magician. Fortunately his performances belie that claim, as his shows are really that of a magician. Geller was born in Tel Aviv in December 1946. When he was a young child he claims a‘bright light’ from above engulfed him that he later stated gave himstrange powers. When of age, he was conscripted into the Israeli army and was wounded during the 1976 Six-Day War.
History of Magic – Murray
For someone born with the full name, Leo Norman Maurien Murray Stuart Carrington Walters, it is no wonder that he changed his name to “Murray the Escapologist”. Born in 1901 in Melbourne he had seen two famous magicians perform before age 10 and at that early age had decided to become a magician. Shortly after, the family moved to Sydney and soon afterwards young Leo had begun to perform small shows in their neighbourhood. Leo had a strong interest in travel and in his late teens joined the Union Steam Ship Company’s RMS Niagara to Vancouver where he cut his work short and disembarked.
History of Magic – Talma
Mary Ann Ford aka Talma, was born in England in July 1861. Early in her life she became interested in performing in the theatre and worked in a variety of jobs with several stage performers. It was here that she gained experience in theatre and stagecraft. While working as an assistant to a lady mind reader and snake charmer, she met Belgium magician Servais LeRoy. It so happened by coincidence that they were both working at the Royal Aquarium in London that was a popular venue for variety and vaudeville performances.
History of Magic – The Amazing Kreskin
A person who can make predictions with a fair number of these forecasts eventually coming true always stirs up wonder and amazement. The Amazing Kreskin is just that sort of person.
George Joseph Kresge was born of Italian and Polish parentage on January 12, 1935 in Montclair, New Jersey. He was to become and still remains a remarkable performer as a hypnotist / mentalist specialising in “thought reading.” Kreskin has been at the forefront of psychological mentalism and hypnosis shows for over four decades now, and he continues to amaze and bewilder his audiences with his supposed powers which he assures is not brought about by paranormal or clairvoyant means. He distinctly dislikes being called a ‘psychic.’
History of Magic – Ali Bongo
In this week’s History of Magic, Ali Bongo takes the spotlight. Britain has produced many comedy magicians over the years because English humour tends to be acceptable around the world. One extremely funny magician, although perhaps a little crazy in appearance but nevertheless a very witty performer, was Ali Bongo. He had a unique zany style when he used to perform magic. It was colourful, unpredictable, and hilariously funny.
History of Magic – Charles Dickens
Throughout the years, there have been a number of people who while famous for their different endeavours, developed a keen interest in magic. Ex-world champion boxer Muhammed Ali, movie star Orson Welles, and before his Night Court television fame, Harry Anderson were all accomplished magicians. Even his Royal Highness Prince Charles became fascinated with the art of magic that he became a member of the London Magic Circle. And then there was the literary genius, the novelist Charles Dickens. Many may not know that he is actually a part of the history of magic, but Charles Dickens was actually a conjuror.
History of Magic – Derren Brown
In this week’s History of Magic, we shine the spotlight on Derren Brown, who is regarded by many as the most extraordinary entertainer alive today. Derren is possibly one of the most intriguing living performers this century has ever seen. The English Illusionist mentalist was born on February 27th 1971 in London. Brown was privately educated at Whitgift School in South Croydon, then studied law and German at Bristol University where he witnessed a hypnosis show by Martin Taylor. This was the stimulus that inspired Derren to decide on a career as a magician hypnotist. During his undergraduate years he began to give stage shows at the university, and did close up magic at local bars and restaurants. At the same time he became a prolific writer on all things magical that soon came to the attention of Objective Productions who launched his first show, “Mind Control”, in 2000 that was an instant success. After further Objective Production shows Derren Brown established his own very successful Production Company and went on to establish himself as one of the world’s premier, psychological performers.
History of Magic – Cardini
In this week’s History of Magic, we discuss the life of renowned magician Cardini, who in 1958 was proclaimed by the New England Magic Society as “the greatest exponent of pure sleight of hand the world has even known.” Cardini was born Richard Valentine Thomas on 24th November 1895, in the small mining district of Mumbles in Wales. As a youngster, Cardini was influenced by people like Chung Ling Soo, Nate Leipzeig, and the Great LaFayette. When he was a young man, he joined the British Army in WW1, where he fought in the trenches until he was wounded. He practiced his sleight of hand in the freezing trenches wearing gloves that were to later become an integral part of his act, and he continued to practice his sleight of hand diligently while recuperating at the hospital.
History of Magic – Fred Kaps
In this week’s History of Magic, we focus the spotlight on Fred Kaps. Kaps was born Abraham Pieter Adrianus Bongers in Rotterdam, Holland on June 8th 1926. He was known colloquially as Bram Bongers. He collected coupons from oatmeal boxes to purchase a box of magic tricks when he was 9 years old. The local hairdresser Piet Verschagen was an amateur magician who often did magic for his clients and was noted for his vanishing matches trick, which Bram learnt from him. Young Bram would rush home after his haircuts to practice everything he was taught. Fred Kaps went on to win three FISM (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques ) Grand Prix’s, and he was the first magician ever to do so. FISM hosts the World Congress of Magic every four years since its inception in 1948. It is the world’s premier magicians’ conclave and top-level competition.
History of Magic – Orson Welles
On the spotlight in this week’s History of Magic is Orson Welles, whom movie fans will know for his ground-breaking films like Citizen Kane, The Lady from Shanghai, and The Third Man. Even today, cinema students study his innovative film techniques, while historians remember him for the night he terrorised a nation with his radio play, “The War of the Worlds.” Orson Welles was a writer, director, actor, broadcaster and all-around genius. He was also a magician. He loved to perform magic and at this he was superb.
History of Magic – Dedi the Magician
The history of magic would not be complete without at least a brief mention of the ancient Egyptian magician called Dedi. Dedi allegedly performed before the Pharaoh Khufu known today as Cheops, the builder of the Great Pyramid at Gizeh. In 1823, English-born Henry Westcar discovered an ancient papyrus under circumstances that are rather unclear. After Westcar died, German Egyptologist Karl Lepsius obtained the papyrus from Westcar’s niece. It was determined that the Westcar papyrus was written in Hierac, a classical middle-style Egyptian script commonly used by early scholars and later religious writers and written in iron gall ink with a reed brush onto papyrus. The title of the papyrus reads “The Tale of King Cheops Court” (from the German translation “Die Marchen des Papyrus Westcar”). It has been established that the Westcar papyrus dates from the 18th–16th century BC during the fourth Egyptian dynasty. The papyrus is said to contain 12 stories or fables but was in very poor condition when last seen. Fragmented and frayed, it was extremely delicate and fragile. Be that as it may, it gave some valuable insight into the lifestyle during the fourth Egyptian dynasty.
History of Magic – Max Malini
This week in the History of Magic, we’ll go into the story of Max Malini, one of the famous magicians of the 19th century. In the small town of Ostrov near the then Polish-Austrian border (now Czech Republic) on August 14th, 1873, Max Katz Breit was born. He became known as Max Malini or just Malini and was known as “The Last of the Mountebanks.” Max Malini did not look like your typical, elegant performer, as he was short in stature and a little rotund. Despite having hands that were famously too small to cover a playing card and thus seemingly unable to palm a card—a distinct disadvantage for an aspiring magician—he nevertheless excelled in sleight of hand. Regardless of his overall appearance, Malini went on to become one of the best close-up performers of the age. His skill and knowledge of timing, pre-show planning, misdirection, and subterfuge were to become the hallmarks of his career. Each night before he retired, he would place all his pocket magic tricks out on his night table and immediately the next morning, the same effects would be replaced into their respective pockets again. He was most meticulous about this procedure.