The Magic of 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 in the history of magic, someone 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. Not only was he an accomplished performer of magic tricks but became a musician and played the flute, trumpet, and dulcimer (A stringed instrument) and he was even said to have played the bagpipes. It was noted also that he was a good marksman with a pistol, yet he was only 28 inches high but became quite famous in his day with his magical and musical skills.