| Kane, Peter (1938-2004) Kane was an extremely creative magician. His success started when he invented Watch the Ace! He became a protégé of Gus Sothall, who encouraged him to publish the trick in Hugard's Magic Monthly (April, 1962). This was the foundation for Wild Card, a variation on The Mystic Nine by Bro. John Hamman. Kane's idea was further developed by Frank Garcia. Other Kane inventions: Gypsy Curse, Jazz Aces, Elongated Lady and The Shrinking Card Case. Kane wrote: A Card Session, Another Card Session (1971), A Further Card Session (1975), Combined Card Sessions (1982), K's Variant, Wild Card Plus, Kane (1982). Kane also contributed many routines to various magic magazines. |
 |
(1926-1980)
Born Abraham Pieter Adrianus Bongers from Utrecht, in the Netherlands, Fred Kaps is known as the magician who won the Grand Prix of the FISM three times (1950-1955-1961), so far the only magician in the world to be able to make that claim. He was the creator of many original effects, including his version of the color-changing silks, Dancing and Floating Cork, Homing Card and Smoking Thumb.Another popular effect he often performed was the salt shaker that seemed to have an endless supply of salt.
Media: Seeing is Believing DVD
Video Clip
on Informative Web site Ed Sullivan Show
Performance
(1908-1994)
Born Anthony Thomas Barbato, his parents emigrated to the USA when he was 3 years old. He began his career performing under the name "Tony London," and then changed it to "Tony Kardyro" around 1933.
Tony Kardyro was one of the first to perform a complete dove act in nightclubs around the country. He went under the stage name of "Seńor Torino, the Continental Deceptionist."
Invented: Kardyro Dove Bag.
Kardyro wrote 15 books, including: Your Deck, Your Card (1948), Dovetail Deceptions (1955), Kardyro's Kard Konjuring (1955), Kardyro's Kolossal Kompendium of Klever and Kommercial Klose-Up (1981).
| Karson, Joe (1912-1980) Born Joseph Alexander Chrzanowski, the son of Polish immigrants in Providence, Rhode Island changed his name to Joe Karson after his parents separated. Starting in 1929, he performed three years with a Chinese magic act billed as "Chan Lin and company." Karson published more than one dozen manuscripts in the middle of the thirties to end of the forties . Beside the world-well-known Zombie, (photo on right) which he patented in 1940, Karson also invented: Voodoo (1949), a one-man routine for the dancing handkerchief, the Magic Vision Tester, Karson's Chinese Egg Bag, Chinese Pagoda Mystery, Cig-O-Bill, Color Changing Foulard, 50-50 Rope Miracle, Flash Appearing Silk on Rod, Jewel of a Case, Karson's Klever Kard, Karson's Rice Trick, Slicko, Rubberneck (Head Twister - 1941), Submerged Card Mystery, Traveling Flame, Mismade Girl Illusion(A Chinaman's Hop Dream with Tea Chests - 1933), Mystery of the Open Screen, Chair Suspension (Karson's 20th Century Suspension). Wrote: Illusion Secrets (1933 - 1944), Karson – Complete Club Act (1933), World's Fastest Card Trick (1948), Hypnotricks and many others. Jay Leslie remembers: "The original Zombie ball was a toilet float ball." Note: There is some confusion regarding Joe Karson of Zombie fame, and Joe Karston, Spook Show Producer and Illusionist. They are two different persons. Karston is the inventor of the Battle of the Toy Soldiers Illusion and a Ghost Prediction Chest. |
 |
(1943- )
Kato went to work part-time as a magic demonstrator for Tenyo when he was nineteen years old. This experience inspired him to become a member of the Tenyo Company. His first major contribution for Tenyo was not in the magic line but with their puzzles. He created some puzzles, which were variations of Pentomino, which were Tenyo best sellers in those days.
He is the creator of such well known magic effects like The Wandering Hole or Mirror-Mate, and thirteen unique magic inventions altogether. Kato has a particular love for cards and over the years he has developed many tricks with them.
(1849-1922)
American-born Heinrich Keller. Known as the Dean of American Magicians, Harry Kellar enjoyed both unqualified public recognition and financial success. His was by far the largest and most elaborate stage illusion show touring during the late 1800s and early 1900s. He is best known for his stunning version of the Levitation, in which a girl mysteriously rises up from a couch, floats across the stage to the audience, then disappears into thin air. On May 16, 1908, Kellar retired and in a grand onstage ceremony, removed his cape and placed it on the shoulders of his chosen successor, Howard Thurston.
Invented: Kellar Colin Catcher, Nikko,
Wrote: A Magician's Tour (1886), Arithmetical Calculations (1885), High Caste Indian Magic (1893), Magic among the Red Men (1895)
(1954 - )
Magician, inventor and manufacturer from Washington, DC.
Invented:
Translocation (c.1970), Impossible Matrix, Mojoe, Black
Box, Amazing Shrinking Deck and many more.
Featured on the cover of Genii Magazine in June of 1986,
with an article by Max
Maven.
Informative Web site: http://www.johnkennedymagic.com
(1937 - ?)
After his birth in Warren, Ohio, Jimmy's family moved to Washington, DC. Jimmy was introduced to magic in Al's Magic Shop in DC,. From the time he started his own magic, he began keeping notes about every trick and routine that he learned.
Jimmy was running a very successful photography business in Washington, D.C. when, in the winter of 1962, magic artist Ed Mishell talked him into going to the MAGIFEST at Columbus, Ohio. Ed Mishell, the match maker, introduced Jimmy to U.F. Grant's daughter, Mary Anne. Jimmy returned to Washington, but later that year he returned to Columbus to visit Mary Anne. In 1964 they were married.
Jimmy had a pitchman act (Dr. Presto) that first brought him to the attention of the magic world in 1963 at a Piff-Paff-Poof convention held in Lake Park, PA. He subsequently produced several effects that were manufactured and sold through his father-in-law's Store in Columbus, Ohio. When Grant retired, Jimmy King took over the business and it was renamed Mak Magic. His son, Jimmy King, Jr., is also very active in the company and will probably keep it going when his dad steps down.
Invented: N-Way Coins in Glass (c.1964); Gun Smoke (with John Yeager c. 1964); Crystal Card Watch (c. 1964); King Cigarette Case (C. 1964); Jimmy King Block Vanish (c. 1965); Turkish Turmoil (c.1966). Also invented: Captain Kidd's Treasure Chest; Imperial Rice, Orange and Checkers;
(1953 -?)
Performed in the late 70s and 80's as a professional psychic under the stage name of Jason Michaels. In the late 80s, Devin became Al Mann's protege and they worked together to enhance his career as a psychic and publicity hound.
Invented: Jumbo Backstage Monte, Deluxe Fandemonium (with John Moyer), Blindsight (2006), Gumball Poker (with John Moyer), Foresight, Insight, Light-tration (with John Moyer), Far Sight, Lexicon Phenomena (with Al Mann), Knights Tour Excalibur, Double Coincidence, Balloon Detective, In the News, Glass Box Prediction (with Al Mann), Retro Sight, Tri-Epic, Impossible Devination, Hat's Incredible, Weather or Not, Predictionary Gimmick (with Frank Velasco), Paint Surprise, Excalibur Deck, Random Thoughts, Improved Walking Through a Mirror, Impossible Head Chopper, New and Improved Chess Gambit, Tell Tell Water, The Hollow Bulb Effect Mirrortrate Illusion, Twin Identity, Disintegration Tube (2006), Excalibur Milk in Lamp, Silken Sands (2006), Unleaded (with Txema Gico) and many more.
Wrote: Cloud Busting Secrets (with Jerome Finely), The Blindfolded Car (2008)
(1936 -?)
Born Robert Gurtler, Jr., the man to become known internationally as Andre Kole was inspired by Moxo the Magician (Mark E. Barker) at the age of 7. By the age of 20, he was performing his Table of Death Illusion on the You Asked For It National Television show. Andre is the father of Illusionist Tim Kole.
Invented: Helicopter Cups, Atomic Stock Pile, Knot Disintegration, The Egg Crate, Spikes Through Balloon (1958), Table of Death, Squeeze Box, Statue of Liberty Vanish, Kole's Crushing a Woman, Dream Vision (1987), No Feet, The Bermuda Triangle Mystery, Transcendental Levitation, Visibly Passing Through, Head Mover Illusion, Dove Kones, Restoration Supreme, Operation Death, Levitation through Steel Plate and many others.
Wrote: Mind Games (with Jerry MacGregor), Astrology
& Psychic Phenomena ( with Terry Holley), Tricks
and Twists (with Jerry MacGregor).
Media: Illusion and Reality VHS, Miracles or
Deception?VHS
Informative website and video clip: www.andrekoleshow.com
| Koran, Al (1914-1972) British mentalist (real name Edward Doe), author and magic inventor of Ring Flite. Also Invented: A variation of the Bagshawe Deck, now called the Koran deck, The Koran Medallion Wrote: Al Koran's Professional Presentations (1967), Bring Out the Magic in Your Mind (1988), Mastered amazement: Mainly for the manipulator(1947) Media: Al Koran Performance CD For more information, see Al Koran's Legacy (1973) by Hugh Miller and The Magic of Al Koran (1984) by Martin Breese. YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTRN_ZUre0s |
 |
(?-?)
Illusionist Sir Felix Korim, born Brewerton H. Clarke, lived in Utica, NY. His wife, Clara, performed as Choie Korim and acted as his assistant for many of his illusions. Korim built all of his own illusions and props, coming up with many original ideas and innovations.Beginning in 1950, he wrote and illustrated a new illusion each month for Genii Magazine.
Inventions include Cloak of Invisibility (1949), Firecracker Girl (1950), The United Nations Trunk (1951), Targo Illusion (1951), The Banshee Trunk (1951), Terrorilla (1951), Third Eye Blindfold (1951), East Indian Rope Trick Staging (1953),
(1917-2003)
Kort was a pharmacist and performed magic only as a hobby. He was interested in all aspects of magic and possessed a large technical library. Innumerable authors of magic books and articles fell back time and again to his immense knowledge.
Kort has over 30 coin inventions published in J.B. Bobo's Modern Coin Magic (1952). Another large selection of his effects was published by Stephen Minch in The Magic of Milt Kort (1999).
Wrote: Kort is Now in Session (1962); Kortially Yours
Miko, invented by Harold Sterling and named after Milton Kort, involves cards and a die in which the spectator realizes that his card should be none other than the...Three-and-a-Half of Clubs.
(?-)
Kovari was born in Budapest, Hungary, but since
1956 has resided in London, UK, where he performs as The
Great Kovari. Currently President of The Mystic Ring of
Dunstable, Bedfordshire, UK.
Inventions: Codology (Monkey Bar with Fish), Passing
Water, Kovari Magician's Revenge
Informative Web site: http://www.kovarimagic.com/index.html
(1884-1963)
Born Kinjiro Tanko Kumajo in Korea of Japanese parents, he learned Japanese magic skills beginning about the age of 5. In 1904 he moved to the USA. He is best known for his performance of the Kuma Tubes (from two cylindrical tubes shown empty, he produced a large quantity of silks and a brass vase whose diameter was larger than that of the tubes), named after him, but more likely from an ancient Chinese magic principle.
(1872-1911)
Born Sigmund Neuberger in Munich, Germany, his family emigrated to America and his early years in show business were spent as a first rate archer in a Vaudeville act. He began his magical career around 1900 as an imitator of Ching Ling Foo,then toured to London where he appeared as "The Great Lafayette." His excellent quick-change routine as well as dramatic illusions such as his own Lion's Bride (lady to lion) made him very popular. He also had an extraordinary devotion to his dog, Beauty. He was killed in a theater fire in Edinburgh, Scotland during a performance.
| Larsen,
William W. (Sr.) (1905-1953) American lawyer and magician who founded Genii magazine. In 1939, he toured the USA with his entire family participating in his full-evening stage show. He also purchased and operated Thayer Magic Co. from 1942 to 1947. In 1963, Milt Larsen and William Larsen, Jr. opened The Magic Castle, in Hollywood, CA, fulfilling Bill Larsen Senior's dream of a a home for the Academy of Magical Arts, which Larsen,Sr. had first created in the pages of Genii magazine in 1952.. Invented: Double Block Penetration, Bengal Turban Mystery, many others. Wrote: Spook Show in your Parlor, Mental Mysteries With Cards, The Mental Mysteries of William Larsen, Sr (1977). Also invented: "Finger Prints" the first description in print (July, 1923) of what would become the "Out to Lunch" principle, and many of the effects in The Encyclopedia of Rope Magic, Jay Leslie remembers: "William Larsen, Sr. was so prolific as a writer that he had several pseudonyms on his directions because people did not believe that one man could invent so much stuff. He also rarely made a mistake while typing instructions. |
 |
( date of birth)
Invented: Smooth (2017), In the Clear, EZB, Flash Flight, Evolve, The Rising, Gumbo, Symbolize, On/Off, Download, Unboxing, and more.
Informative Web Sites:
https://www.facebook.com/NicholasLawrenceMagic
https://www.facebook.com/pg/NicholasLawrenceco
(1982 - )
American magician and mentalist from Michigan, now based in Las Vegas. Creates magic for Penguin Magic.
Invented: Calendar, Past-Present-Future, Contact, Bitcoin, Detach, Filter, Stealth Pen, Vertigo, Whitewash, Binary Code, Eraser, Dream Journal, Soul Paper, To-do-Voodoo, Hair Tie Coloration, Happy Travels, Self Guided Tour, Chi Card, Haunted Prelude, The Winning Hand, Water and Ice, Vuja De, Light Speed, Return Flight, Rip & Fold, Dream Totem, Triple Flip, Going Postal, Close Call, Quarterly Report, Reverse Psychology
Informative Web site: http://ricklax.com/
(1874 - 1949)
British magician, magic dealer, author. Invented: Run, Rabbit, Run, The House That Jack Built, Bang Gun(1932)
Wrote and published the periodical Leat's Leaflets from 1925 to 1940, Forty Years In and Around Magic (1923), Diversified Magic(1924), Tragic Magic (1925), Thoughtful Magic (1923)
(1873-1939)
Born Nathan Leipziger in Stockholm, Sweden. On emigrating to the United States he originally worked in optics, polishing lenses and fixing clocks, until he decided to pursue his true vocation magic. Personality, superb presentation and his brilliant skills in card handling made him a great vaudeville favorite, despite the fact that he worked large theatres with no more than a deck of cards rather than a stage full of complex magical apparatus.
Wrote: The Autobiography of Nate Leipzig
 |
Leon (1876-1951) Born Leon Harry Levy, he also performed an Oriental act early in his career as Chunda Hula and later, Kadan Sami. Then, performing as the Great Leon, his huge illusion show became known for its fast pace and spectacle, and especially for his signature illusion "Fire and Water", in which a female assistant was wrapped in paper and set on fire, only to reappear in a water-filled tank on the opposite side of the stage. Leon went to great lengths to register and patent his original work: Shrink and Shrunken, Fire and Water, The Miniature Haunted House, Ribbon Shot Through a Woman, Duck Tray, and The Doll House. |
 |
(1900-1958)
Born Paul Shields Braden, he is considered by some to have been the greatest stage card manipulator in magic history.
By the age of 15 he had acquired manipulative abilities with cards, thimbles and coins. Starting in 1920 he began specializing more in card magic, but continued to work in all large theatres in North America and Canada. Later he changed his act to work in night clubs. He worked in Hollywood on different films as an advisor and also acted in some films.
Wrote: The Card Magic of Paul LePaul, LePaul Presents the Card Magic of Bro. John Hamman
| LeRoy,
Servais (1865-1953) Belgian-born magician who was not only a highly successful performer, but also a genius who invented such illusions as Asrah, the Duck Pan, Modern Cabinet, Palanquin and Costume Trunk. He performed with Imro Fox and Frederick Eugene Powell as "The Triple Alliance", but his most famous partnership was with his wife Talma and Leon Bosco, billed as "LeRoy-Talma-Bosco". Mrs. Le Roy (Mary Ford) known around the world as Talma: The Queen of Coins, was often compared to the sleight-of-hand expert, T. Nelson Downs, and the rotund Leon Bosco induced gales of laughter by switching the heads on two living birds. Together, they were Le Roy, Talma and Bosco - The Comedians de Mephisto. The celebrated levitation of a woman and her disappearance in mid-air, called Asrah, was first performed in London in 1914. |
 |
(?-?) Dealer, manufacturerer, operating The House of Enchantment. formerly founded by James Swoger in 1937.
Invented: Assistants Revenge (Jay Leslie Model), Coin Through Coin, Death Trap, Double E.S.P.,Easy Sensory Perception, Elastic Lady (Jay Leslie Model), Easy E.S.P, Melting Through Metal, Puffy Coin, Square Circle Circus, Trick With No Name, Trifecta, Ultimate Ring And String, Golden Disk Of Leslie, and more,
Informative Web site: http://www.thehouseofenchantment.com/ (Link updated 12/30/11 - thanks to Philip Henderson)
| Levante, Les (1892-1978) Born Leslie George Cole near Sydney, Australia, the magician we now call Les Levante is remembered as the creator of the Impaling illusion. Beginning in magic at the age of 13, by 17 he was performing in Melbourne and by 18 was performing with 6 assistants giving regular half-hour shows daily. As a headliner in England's music halls, Levante socialized with many of magic's greatest names including Dante, Horace Goldin and P.T. Selbit. When he returned to Australia, his show called “How’s Tricks” played to excellent business in Sydney and in Melbourne at the Kings Theatre (the season ran up toMarch 1941). For publicity he leapt into the Yarra River, fully shackled, from the Princess Bridge. This was a higher jump than Houdini, who, in 1910, had performed a similar stunt off the Queens Bridge. Wrote: Easy Card Tricks |
 |
(1908 - 1993)
British-born illusion builder and owner of MagiCraft Magic Manufacturing Co. Eric built apparatus for the Milson-Worth Company, and did special work for the Albo collection. Though he developed many magic effects, his best known is the Diminishing Silk Production. He may have invented "Twister" in 1978. He is the father of Martin Lewis.
Wrote: A Choice of Miracles (1980), A Continuation of Miracles (1981), The Crowning Miracles (1983), Martin's M*I*R*A*C*L*E*S, Eric Lewis’ Rope Routine, Studies in Mystery (1941), P.T. Selbit A Magical Innovator (with Peter Warlock), Walter Jeans, Illusioneer (with Peter Warlock), Open Sesame (1947 with Wilfred Tyler)
Media: Personal Magic of Eric Lewis Vol. 1 CD-ROM
| Lewis, Mark (1944 -?) Scottish magician, psychic, hypnotist and Svengali pitchman who did much of his early work in Ireland, before emigrating to Toronto, Canada. Invented: Psychic Card Prediction (2006) Wrote: The Long and the Short of It, Marmaduke The Wonder Mouse, The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Lewis (2007) |
 |
(1946 - )
British magician, son of Eric Lewis. Creator of a number of original effects, including Sidewalk Shuffle (1971).
Media: Martin Lewis' Close-Up Miracles DVD; Martin Lewis' Senor Mardo Egg Bag DVD-R; Martin Lewis' Making Magic 2-Volume DVD Set, Magician's Poker DVD
Informative Web site: http://www.magikraft.com
(1932 - )
Trevor Lewis is a British magician who has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and to date has completed 12 lecture tours of the USA appearing at all major conventions (including the very 1st IFCM ) and hosted four Q.E. 2 Magic Cruises for Repro Magic. He is a member of IBM and a Gold Star Member of the Inner Magic Circle . His Close-Up performances have won him the Magic Circle Award, the Zina Bennet Cup and the Close Up Card Award at the FISM Congress of Magic in Vienna. He was awarded the "Best One Man Parade" in Linking Ring Magazine and the Clarke Crandall Award at Abbott's Get Together.
Invented: Trevor's Torch (Flashlight Fun), Clapometer, The Trevor Lewis Force, Orbital,The Homing Card (1984).Twisty (Jumbo Bics),
Wrote: Starting in 1978 and continuing for over twenty years, Trevor Lewis wrote a series of books which included Party Pieces, More Party Pieces, Still More Party Pieces, Further Party Pieces, Favourite Party Pieces, and Final Party Pieces. All of the Party Pieces, plus Unexpected Party Pieces, previously unpublished, are in the collection known as Trevor Lewis Uncut. Also wrote Children's Magic.
Media: Magic of Trevor Lewis DVD (2003)
Jack Lippincott c.1928
Photo donated on 4/17/13 by Cindy Lippincott,
great niece of Jack Lippincott.
( 1904 - 1994)
Born John Wright Lippincott in St. Louis Missouri, Jack, as he was known to his friends, became an amateur magician and was well known to the magicians of IBM Ring 1, in which he served as president in 1946. He also wrote many articles for the Linking Ring magazine.
For years, there has been confusion as to which Lippincott invented the Lippincott Box. That is why I list the two most likely suspects together. As soon as a photo of Malcolm Lippincott turns up, I will add it here.
Lippincott, Malcolm
(1895 - ?)
Malcom B. Lippincott started as a side-show magician for a circus. He also performed in vaudeville, and began touring with his own act in 1919. He invented the small wooden box that bears his name around 1948 as an all purpose vanishing box. Don Redmon marketed the box as "Quarter Go" in 1949, but today it is simply called a "Lippincott Box." The mystery was settled recently when an advertisement found in the September 1949 issue of The Linking Ring, clearly stated "routine by Mal Lippincott." Case closed.
(1925 - 2013)
Born in China, DeYip Loo(a.k.a Chan Loo) emigrated to the USA in 1937. He worked as an assistant to both Harry Blackstone, Sr. and Dante (Harry Jansen). Worked as a builder of magic props for Magic, Inc. in Chicago. He was the first magician to appear on Chicago's Bozo Circus TV show on WGN-TV. In 1979, he was part of the World's Greatest Magicians Tour. In 1998, Loo suffered a massive hemoraghic stroke, but continued to enjoy magic and inspire the younger generation.
(1926 - )
Magician and mentalist known for his expertise in mnemonics, or memorization through association.
Wrote:
Close-Up Card Magic (1976), Apocalypse
Volumes 1 - 20 (1978- 1982), Deck-Sterity (1967),
Dingle's Deception with Cards and Coins, Doug Edwards
Packs a Wallet (1997), The Himber Wallet Book (1998),
The Magic Book Full (1997), Personal Collection,
Personal Secrets (1964), Star Quality: The Magic
of David Regal (1987)... and more!
Media: Harry Lorayne's Memory Power Package (audio
cassetes or CDs); How to Remember Numbers (VHS Videotape)
(1905-1989)
Born Sidney Richard Johnson in Cambridge, England, his family emigrated to Canada. He was a magician, author and originator of a number of magic effects (Snakes Alive, Thumb Fun) and moves, including the Slop Shuffle. He was also respected as a columnist and historian of magic
Wrote: Sid Lorraine's Scrapbook (1938 - 1962) , Sid Lorraine on Magic
Media: Incredible Dr. Jaks (CD)
(1969 - )
Dirk Losander, born in Germany, became
interested in magic at the age of eight years old, when
he was taught by a female magician friend of his
grandfather. He moved to the United States, married Luna
Shimada, and under her influence started to portray a
modern wizard for his stage acts by growing his out his
hair and wearing a long overcoat. His magic mentors
included Finn Jon and Salvano. He has become best known
for his routines involving levitations, including paper
bubbles, boxes and tables. His "Losander's Floating
Table" has been incorporated into many magicians'
repertoires. His son, Adam, is following in his father's
footsteps.
Web Site: http://www.lasvegasmagictheater.com/
Original Floating Table: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_4ZqyeLEZQ
Also see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf_1L39v9xI
| Lyle, Cecil (1892-1955) British-born magician who developed an impressive illusion show as The Great Lyle and His Mystery Box Revue. Best known for his Magical Milliner act, he introduced the Hat Tear and the Vanishing Gramophone 1912 (which was later turned into the Vanishing Radio 1930s by Robert Harbin). If any one man can be credited with extending the Golden Age of Magic in Britain, that man was Cecil Lyle. After achieving fame as a music hall performer, he set his sights on the creation of a full evening show in the tradition of the great magicians of his youth. Also invented: Half a Full House Illusion. |
 |
(c 1835-1899)
Dr. Hugh S. Lynn (John Wesley Simmons Lynn), was born in Bristol England. Lynn was an ex sailor turned magician who visited Australia (as "Washington Simmons") in Jan-May 1863, appearing as "The American Frikell". He travelled to China and the USA where he obtained a medical degree in Boston, MA. His main claim to fame was as the first Western magician to go into Japan, and as the man who inspired Houdini to go into magic. His featured illusion, Palengenesia, invented by Thomas William Tobin in 1872, involved taking a human body apart, limb by limb, and then putting it back together. Legend has it that he performed this illusion at a theater in Milwaukee, where a young Houdini saw the trick and decided to become a magician.
Wrote: How it's Done (1877).
(1966 - )
Born in Yohohama, Japan, he was one of the first professional close-up magicians in Japan to perform in a restaurant (the prestigious Tycoon in Yokohama) on a regular basis. He was drawn into learning magic at the age of 12 by a TV performance of Slydini. He was the youngest Japanese performer ever to perform at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA.
Invented: The 2-D Spoon, Hungarian Rope, and Isolated Corner, among others.
( 1950 - 2013)
Born Ian Sutz in Brooklyn, NY, Ian started magic later than many, at age 24. He ran a Magic Shop in Middletown, NY from 1974 to 1988 (kept open until 2000 by his parents after Ian moved to Florida). From 1989 to 1995, he owned and operated Tropic Cinemagic Theater in Leesburg, Florida.
Ian began lecturing to other magicians in 1977, based on his early inventions and improvements to standard magic gimmicks. Ian co-founded SAM #147 with Jeff McBride in 1977, in Middletown, NY, and was past secretary of SAM 147. Ian was Vice President of Ring 258 IBM in Leesburg, FL.
Ian lived the last part of his life in Bushnell, Florida, and continued to sell magic on-line and lectures to magicians.
Invented: CoinBalloon-acy (1980); Dependelite match pull (1977); Diminishing Sponge Ball (1980); Pepsilkola (1978); Flagtastick: (1980); Universal Utility Clip (1979); Slice of Hand (Arm Box Illusion); Disc-Go-Dime; Pipsqueak; Card-in-a-Locket ; Refreshments
Wrote: Liars Handbook (1971); Magic w/a Steel Ball and Tube (1980); 110 tricks w/a Stripper Deck (1980); 110 Tricks w/a Svengali Deck (1980); 25 Rubber Penetration Tricks - Formerly entitled "Best Dam Tricks" (1980); The Haunted Pack: Book of Revelations. He has also written instructions, catalog descriptions, and product evaluations for D.Robbins, and MagicGoods suppliers.
Media: Performance Videos; Magic Ian's Lecture DVDs (2007)
Informative Website: http://bigduck.tripod.com/stagetrickscom/index.html
| Malini, Max (1873-1942) Born Max Katz Breit in the small town of Ostrov on the borders of Poland and Austria. At a young age, he emigrated to America with his family, settling in New York City. He studied juggling at age twelve, but under the tutelage of Professor Seiden he began his studies of magic (illusion) when he was fifteen. As he grew older, he began performing in bars. As his reputation grew, he would sell tickets to see a private show in his hotel room. He specialized in close-up magic, performing with coins and card magic. Malini’s performance style was marked by great audacity. For instance, he would often walk up to people of great celebrity and unannounced simply bite a button from their cuffs and magically restore it. His signature effect was the production of a block of ice from under a borrowed hat. |
 |
(1920-1999)
Born Gilbert Aleman of Mexican descent in San Antonio, Texas, Al moved to New Jersey where he established his own publishing business in Freehold, NJ. Most of the 100 + manuscripts he published were on his favorite topics of mentalism and mental magic.
Invented: Al Mann Prediction Chest; Azonic Force, Secret of Abonutichus, Diplomental Pouch, The Glass Box, Miracle Slate Deluxe, Chess Gambit (with Devin Knight).
Wrote: 101 Psychic Tests, Acidus, Carpusgraphy, No Tocarre (Lecture notes- 1981), Pandora's Box 1 and 2, Autobend Silverware (with Devin Knight), Glass Box Effect Prediction (with Devin Knight) and many other manuscripts on mentalism.
Media: CD's - Al Mann on Mentalism (Volumes 1 and 2)
Online bibliography: http://www.zem.demon.co.uk/almann.htm
(1911-1963)
Invented: Aces of Eight (a.k.a. The Eight Ace Routine), The OM Billet Changing Box, Crystal Clear, Another Dictionary Effect, Brr!, Finger Exercise, Penetration- A Magical Interview, The Mysterious Mr. X, The Moving Finger Writes, The Egg Vanishes - Almost, and probably many more.
Wrote: 202 Ways to Stop Hecklers, Otis Manning's Miracle Memory(1938). Some of his effects appeared in the Phoenix, The Gen, and The Jinx. Ted Annemann included many of his effects in books he compiled.
Also wrote a series of monologues for entertainers: The Nudist Camp Routine, The Ride of Paul Revere.
(1930 -2008)
Born Heinz Nikolas "Nick" Stolk in The Hague, Holland, he derrived his magic stage name from his service in the Dutch Air Force as a "Marconist" (radio operator). He was a prolific inventor of over 100 marketed tricks.
His inventions include: Silken Bombshell (by 1959), Continuous Production of Silks, Streamer Blendo, Two Way Blendo, Silk in Knot, Instant Rope Through Neck, Tire Illusion (for Michelin Tyre Company, Amsterdam), Prisoner Silk, Flying Silks, Rising Aces, Marconick's Card Change, and many, many more.
Wrote:A Man and a 1000 Scarfs, Marconick's Silk Magic (1964), Marconick's Unique Silk Magic (1970), Marconick's Original Magic (7 vols, 1967-1982).
Video clips: http://club.magicians.com/video/video/search?q=marconick
(1951 - )
Born José Antonio González in Panama City, Panama, Marko lived in Spain from 1981 to 1998 as a professional magician (Marko) and there began writing magic books and editing a magic magazine. Currently, he runs The Learned Pig Project on the Internet and edits TLP Magic eZine. He also writes a column for M.U.M, the official magazine for the Society of American Magicians. He has written more than 12 magic books in Spanish and one in English: The Best of TLP Magic eZine.
Marko does not consider himself to be an inventor, but simply an originator, coming up with alternate ways and variations on exisitng tricks. However, I (Spellbinder) believe he has come up with something new in a "subtlety" (yes, those are inventions, too!) within a trick he calls "Chromatic Writing" which was included in his TLP Magic eZine Vol.4 No.8 -- March 6, 2007. For that reason, he is now listed here among the other magic inventors, many of whom also thought of themselves as "mere" originators.
Media: The Learned Pig Project Magic Book Collection CDs - Indices to the CDs are on this Web site.
Informative Web Site: http://www.thelearnedpig.com.pa/
(1913 - 1991)
Born Edward Malkowski, Marlo himself coined the term cardician, a term which has since been used for magicians who only perform card magic. His first publication came in 1938, Pasteboard Presto.
The many sleights he invented have changed the face of card magic. One notable example is his Snap Change, used in David Blaine´s Street Magic special.
Marlo wrote over sixty books and manuscripts, and contributed over 2000 tricks in the field of card magic. His 1953 book, The Cardician, is one of his most famous books describing his presentations, effects, sleights, and other closely guarded card secrets. His Revolutionary Card Technique series provides any card magician with everything that could ever be needed to perform his repertoire. He has also authored respected works on coin magic and dice stacking.
Media: Edward Marlo's The Cardician DVD; Edward Marlo's The Legend DVD; Edward Marlo's Prime-Time Marlo DVD-R
(?-)
Rich Marotta is a New York City comedian, who also does great original magic.
His inventions include: Connection, Fishbowl Production (from bag), Ambitious Photography, Bar Pretzels, Card Warp Restoration, Matches Through Table, Quarter Through Glass Table, Three Card Prediction, Lasso Card Trick, Mugged, Rat Trap Card Trick, and more.
Informative Web Site: http://richmarotta.com/
(1910-2002)
Frances was the owner of the Chicago magic shop Ireland Magic Co., which she later named Magic Inc. She was, perhaps, the most influential woman in the male dominated field of magic. Her entire life was spent with magic, as a performer, writer and promoter. She was married to magic inventor L.L. Ireland until his death in 1954, and then married magician Jay Marshall. As Mrs. Ireland, she was the founder, in 1938, of Magigals, an association for female magicians (today called Women In Magic).For more than five years, Mrs. Marshall appeared every Sunday in the "Funny Paper Party," a program on WGN-TV featuring Chicago Tribune publisher Col. Robert McCormick.
Wrote: You Don't Have To Be Crazy (1946), With Frances In Magicland (1952), Kid Stuff (six volumes/1954-75), How to Sell by Magic (1958), The Sponge Book (1960), The Success Book (four volumes/1973-84), The Happy Birthday Business (1978), My First 50 Years (1981), Those Beautiful Dames (1984), Come Out Flying, the long running Around Chicago column in the Linking Ring Magazine and many other books, booklets, manuscripts and articles. If You're the M.C. (with Jay Marshall), Table Book by Frances and Jay Marshall
(1919 - 2005)
James "Jay" Marshall who was also nicknamed "Jasper," invented and marketed the "Jaspernese Rope Tie" in 1939. During World War II, Marshall was "island-hopping" in the Pacific to entertain military personnel in USO shows. He became tired of taking his elaborate ventriloquist's dummy called Henry with him, so he decided to use a white glove and some bunny ears to turn his left hand into his dummy which he called "Lefty." In 1955, Marshall married Frances Ireland, proprietress of the Ireland Magic, a Chicago magic store bequeathed to her at the death of her previous husband, magician L.L. Ireland. They reopened the store as Magic Inc. and built it into an active publishing house and center of magic culture for Chicago.
Also invented: The Idiot's Rope Trick,
Wrote: TV - Magic and You (1955), If You're the M.C. (with Frances Ireland Marshall), Jays Jinking Rings Book,
Media: Jay Marshall's Table Crap (DVD), Table Book by Frances and Jay Marshall
(1922- 2012)
Canadian magician, magic illustrator and author. Best known for his amazing artistic contribution to the three-volume Rice's Encyclopedia of Silk Magic for which he drew thousands of illustrations and hand-lettered the entire text. Also a legendary nightclub performer in the '30s-'40s-'50s, as well as the creator of Mark Wilson's Train illusion (designing the Thin Sawing Illusion in the process) and associate producer of The Magic Land of Alakazam TV program. Also designed the 1964 New York World's Fair Hall of Magic for General Cigar Co.
Invented: Break Away Phantom Tube, Martineau's Cigarette to Silk, Martineau's Bouquet to Silk, Cane to Three Silks, Silk to Cane, Flight of the Colors, Silken Obedience, Silk Thru Cane, Red Devil, Color Change Foulard, Visible Sympathetic Silks, Martineau's Repeat, Miracle Silk.
Wrote: Victory Bouquet (1944), Walsh Cane Routines (1945), Rope Hectic! (1946), Miracle Silk (1945)
Illustrated: Rice's Selected Sympathetic Silks Routines by Harold R. Rice (published 1961),
| Maskelyne,
John Nevil (1839-1917) Born in Cheltenham, England. Founded the great Maskelyne dynasty of English magicians. He got his start exposing the spiritism performance of the Davenport brothers. His performing partner was George Cooke. He opened the Egyptian Hall in London, a showplace for magic and illusion performances, and operated it for thirty years. In partnership with David Devant, he then opened St. George's Hall, a similar venue. A feisty personality, he was involved in two nasty and noteworthy lawsuits. The first involved a claim that Maskelyne had not exactly duplicated the feats of a spirit medium and was therefore not entitled to the challenge money offered. The second suit involved his attempt to stop two other magicians from performing a box escape similar to the one in his show; this suit was dropped when Maskelyne refused to reveal the secret of the escape to the court. His Box Trick invention was the one used by the Houdinis in their "Metamorphosis." Invented: Thumb Writer, Substitution Trunk Illusion, Mummy Case Illusion, Cleopatra's Needle, The Mystic Freaks of Gyges, "Will, The Witch and the Watchman", Psycho(1875) Wrote: Sharps and Flats (1894), The Magnetic Lady! or a Human Magnet Demagnetized, Modern Spiritualism (1875), Natural Magic. Published The Magic Circular Magazine Coauthored: Our Magic with David Devante (1911) |
 |
(1924-1998)
Born Robert Stenner, Bob was one of America's best Punch & Judy performers. He did other puppet acts, a vent act, magic, mind reading and, in earlier years, worked with the circus.
Invented: BAM (1977), The Mason Prediction Chest (with Arturo - c.1970), Fantastic 9, The Amazing Secret, Brain Blaster, Marked Thought, Bob Mason and Bill Pryor's Oops!??, The World's Greatest Mindreader, Fantastic Gertrude, Predict-A-Total.
(1889-1984)
Magician, author and inventor of a number of magic effects, including Squeezaway Block, Silk Cabby, Finger Guillotine, Rod Thru Body and Chinese Flame Clock, Indestructable Ribbon, Ribbon Fantastique, Corker, Baffler, Cabinet of Deodar, Card Dagger, Card in Glass, Century Silk Frame, Divination Slate of Fate,Chest of Wang, Wrist Chopper, Glass Penetration, AmazRing and many more. Patented Magic: Dismemberment (1930).
Wrote: New and Original Magic (1922)
Jay Leslie remembers: "Ed Massey had Jim Swoger make 20 percent of his prototypes and of the rest he used tin cans and cardboard. In those days sheet metal was hard to come by so Ed cut open the cans and flattened them."
(?-?)
Japanese magician and inventor.
Magic inventions include: WOW, Frozen in Time, Five Black Holes, Ambelitious Card, Two Card Mystery, Awatenai! Awatenai!, Visual Transformation, Boxing Match, Mystery Hole.
(born Phil Goldstein , 1950 - )
Max Maven is a
magician and mentalist. He gives the impression that he
uses advanced psychological principles and methods to
read spectators’ minds. He has been a consultant
with such magicians as David Copperfield, Penn &
Teller, Siegfried & Roy and Doug Henning.
He has invented and improved numerous magical and
mentalist effects including
B-Wave, Mind's-Eye Deck, Printer's Demon. With Trevor
Duffy of South Africa, he developed the Phil Deck, and
Phil Plus!.
He is also known as a prolific author in the magical literature, in journals such as Genii, The Linking Ring, and MUM. He has been the featured magician at the annual conventions of the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Wrote (as Phil Goldstein): Focus (1990)
Wrote (as Max Mavin): Prism, Max Maven's Book of
Fortunetelling (1992)
Media: Max Maven's Mindgames (VHS) ; Videomind: Max
Maven's 3-Volume Mentalism DVD Set
YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yadyyfb8n5c
(1959 - )
Born John McBride, in Goshen, New York, Jeff McBride was influenced by reading The Golden Book of Magic by The Great Merlini. By the age of 12, he was performing in public, at the Orange County Fair in nearby Middletown, New York. In 1973, he made his national television debut as a guest on the quiz show What’s My Line? In 1975, he was booked on a tour of Japan as the opening act for a salsa band. It was in Japan that he was exposed to kabuki, a Japanese theater form, which had such a great influence on his own magic style.
Jeff McBride is currently based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He established the "McBride Magic and Mystery School" to teach the art of stage magic. Working under his stage name, Magnus, Jeff was a performer for several years in Caesar's Palace's Magical Empire. His stage performances currently blend elements of kabuki, with traditional conjuring.
Jeff has won several
awards, including recognition by the Academy of Magical
Arts, the Society of American Magicians, and the
International Grand Prix of Magic as "Magician of
the Year."
Invented: Ritual of Liberation; Kundalini Rising
variation of The Rising Card effect. Currently, Jeff
McBride is considered more of an originator than an
inventor, with his routines and style of embedding
theatrical elements into his performance influencing
magicians of all ages.
Wrote: Magician 24/7; On the Road with Jeff
McBride: Pack Small, Play Big; The Mystery
School Book (with Eugene Burger)
Media: Art of Card Manipulation DVD, Volumes 1, 2, and 3;
Magic On Stage DVD; Abracadazzle! - The DVD; Jeff McBride
- A Magickal Life; Manipulation Without Tears Complete
Set
Informative Web site: http://www.mcbridemagic.com/
(1922-2006)
Born in Belfast, Ireland, after becoming a medical doctor, McComb pursued show business and by 1949, had turned professional billing himself as "The World's Largest Leprechaun." A. A highlight in his career was a Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth at The London Palladium. In his seventies and early eighties, McComb continued to perform, opening for Amazing Jonathan in Las Vegas and headlining at Hollywood’s Magic Castle.
Invented:
Hot Book (1945),McCombical Prediction, Half-Dyed Silk,
McCombical Deck, Double Thin Model Sawing, McCOMBination
Box - 1952 (forerunner of Milbourne Christopher's Rabbit
to Duck, Blammo Box, Jimmy King's Dove Vanish, etc.),
Mechanical Card Fountain 1946 (electric version of the De
Kolta Card Fountain).
Wrote: The Professional Touch, McComb's
Magic: 25 Years Wiser, The First Book of William
(1947)
Media: Slow Motion Bird Cage (DVD), Billy McComb -
Greater Magic Library Volume 30
Video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7714078382372793051&q=Billy+McComb
| McRae,
Campbell (1932 - 2014) Stage name of James Lister Cook. Described as "Scotland's Finest Magician", he performed a manipulative act in full highland regalia. He is believed to be the first magician to turn this magnificent costume into a magic prop. Although his manipulative act (using doves, silks, coins, billiard balls and cards) was designed for cabaret, he also played the few theaters that remained in the 1960s. He was well known for his bare-hand vanish of a live dove. He was also a career engineer, inventor, and holder of fifteen patents. For a time, he operated what he called "probably the smallest magic store in the world" from his home in Scotland. He only stocked and supplied his own creations: Campbell's Cube-Off (c.2004) and The ISO Box (Inside-Out Box)(c.2005). Thanks to James Lister Cook's grand daughter, Holly Kay, for providing us with his birth date, information about his passing on November 9, 2014, and the two large photographs (April, 2015). We'll also keep the smaller photo shown on other sites because it shows him performing his famous dove act.
|
 |
( ? - ? )
Invented: Coincimental, Synonymental (with Jay Leslie), Mellon's Miracle Money, Quantimental Rods
Wrote: Mental Wise (three Volumes)
R.N. Menge in his "Wizard's Workshop."
| Menge, R.N. (1908-1958) Menge, whose middle name was Norman, often performed magic as Norman the Wizard. He started a Magic Business in Hot Springs,Arkansas where he offered his customers a monthly issue of "Norman's News" and membership in Norman's Wizard Club. His inventions included Satan's Cigarette (1942), C-Thru Chick Dish (1943), The Hand of Mystery (1943), Mongolian Water Mystery. In 1944, he moved to Columbus, Ohio and joined forces with U.F. Grant. Menge continued to produce his own inventions including The Climax Egg Bag (1944). Inventions to which both Grant and Menge contributed were usually labled as being from "G. & M." like the G&M Board Suspension snd the G&M Passe Passe Bottles. Menge went his own way again in 1945 and opened a rival magic workshop in Columbus, Ohio. Significant inventions from this time included Tricky Tumbler (1945) and the Egyptian Water Box (1954), which Grant continued to produce. Wrote: G&M Magic Course (with Grant) The Poster at the right, supplied by Chanor of the Magic Café Forum, caused a hunt for the mysterious "Norman the Wizard." He was finally identified as R. Norman Menge by Café member Jim Maloney. Café member Mark Damon has provided additional helpful information about his life and works culled from The Linking Ring. |
 |
(1964 - )
Lisa was born in Kansas. A pioneer in a male-dominated profession, Lisa was originally banned from learning magic at the Magic Circle Fakir Circles and Tannen's magic classes because she was female. Due to her original contributions to the art of magic, she became the first woman to be invited to lecture and perform at FISM. She is also the only woman to have performed in every theater of the Magic Castle.
Invented: her own original version of the Origami Illusion, seen HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOp7Mvcc84w&feature=emb_logo
Her Web site: http://www.menna.com/
(1911-1992?)
American magician known as the "Wizard of Ah's". He is noted as the inventor of the Bullet Catch as used by Ted Annemann, and also the Think Ink routine.
Wrote: The Amazing Magic Square & Master Memory Demonstration (1961), Telepathy in Action
(1938 - 2010)
Japanese magician, inventor, and founder of Mikame Craft, producer of high quality magic props. He mostly improved tried and true magic props, but often added innovative new features of his own invention.
More or less complete list of his manufactured props: https://www.seomagic-usa.com/index.php/manufacturers_id/26
Also: https://www.martinsmagic.com/product-tag/mikame-craft/
(1884 -1962)
American magician noted for his expert use of a holdout. His routines for the Egg Bag and the Linking Rings (A 5 ring routine) are still commercially marketed.
Invented: The Jack Miller Hold-out
Wrote: Jack Miller's Linking Ring Routine
Video about Jack Miller's Holdout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpXcmSSUqoY
(1897-1960)
Born in England, Herbert Milton had a successful career performing private party engagements after performing at Maskelyne's in 1920s. Later in life, he entertained at public schools. Milton created some now classics of magic, many attributed to others. In 1922 he met Nate Leipzig and gave permission to use "Sympathetic Clubs", an effect which Dai Vernon, in his book on Leipzig, attributes only to Leipzig. He also discovered the means for locating a card by dropping a grain or two of salt upon its surface, which became known as "Sleight of Foot". Milton's "Spelling Bee" routine was published in Encyclopedia of Card Tricks (1937) as Frank Squires' Speller. Also invented a book test called Pages of Mystery.
(1856 - 1912)
Born in Austria and an Austrian citizen, he spoke Italian fluently and was considered by most to actually be an Italian magician. He studied to be a pharmacist at the University of Graz, Austria, but became interested in magic. He invented the Organ Pipes Illusion, the "grandfather" of most tube production effects, producing from six empty "organ pipes" an entire feast including table cloth, napkins, silverware, plates and food.
(1881-1957)
Born Ernest Linebarger, he was a vaudeville performer whose specialty was the Tears of Buddha, a bizarre effect in which beans placed in his mouth would reappear in his eyes. He also invented Instanto Rope and Link-King Ropes (1953).
Wrote: Super Prediction Tricks by Robert A. Nelson and E.J. Moore
(1884-1972)
Born Louis Jerome McCord in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, McCord exibited his magic at traveling tent shows , museums, theatres and vaudville houses. He was tutored in magic by John Lawrence McKissock. When McCord was young he met and became friends with Edward Maro, a successful bandleader and magician. McCord reversed the vowels in Maro to create his stage name "Mora".
Silent Mora had two acts. The first was his famous Chinese act which was perfomed silently to music. The second was for club dates for which he would wear a tuxedo and used comedy and audience participation.
Featured effects included: 4 balls in a net, cone and ball, billiard ball on a fan, bowl vanish, Chinese sticks (c. 1925, using sticks he made for himself),vanishing lamp, Chinese strings, and 4 balls and two hats. Mr. Mora also developed a vanish of a billiard ball with a nice wand spin which Dai Vernon later adapted for his own use.
Jay Leslie remembers: "Silent Mora also invented the appearing Pool Cue, similar in operation to the Walsh cane. I have one that was autographed April 10, 1949."
(1928 - 2013)
Born Johannes Hans Crewe in Berkersdorf, near Ternopol, ( was Tarnopol) Poland (now Ukraine). He moved to West Germany in 1940, trained in a circus until 1950. His version of Russian Roulette was first performed in Lisbon in 1965. Moretti won first prize in the Illusion section of FISM in 1976, featuring his inventions of the Cardboard Sword Box & Russian Roulette. Also invented a Crossbow Escape Illusion, a Paper Tree Suspension (based on the Broom Suspension) and others.
Wrote: Moretti, his autobiography.
Informative Web site: (You may need to use Babelfish to translate the web site) http://www.moretti.de/hans/index.html
Media: Greater Magic Library Volume 25: Hans Moretti - includes scenes from: • Paper Tree Suspension • Russian Roulette • Double Bullet Catching • theCardboard Sword Box-and many more. Available from Stevens Magic Emporium
YouTube Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dAHbi2_b5U - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH-PFecys6Y
(?-?) Vaudeville magician in the 1940s, owner of a magic shop in Chicago during the same era.
Inventor of a version Multiplying Candles, possibly inspired by Clarence Slyter, which he made and marketed as Nesto Candles, and Match To Flower.
An on-line essay about the Morgan Nesto Candles is available from David Ginn:
http://www.ginnmagic.com/reads/DavidGinn_MultiplyingMagic.pdf
(1861-1936)
British-born magician, hypnotist, mentalist and inventor. Not only was he a successful stage performer, but he is also credited with inventing the Morritt Cage Illusion, Turkish Delight (1897),Flyto, the Disappearing Donkey Illusion (1912), Tally Ho! Illusion, Beauty and the Beast Illusion, the Morritt Grip (a coin fingerpalming technique) as well as the false (or sixth) finger gimmick used today. Many of his illusions involved new variations on the traditional uses of mirrors. It is thought that Houdini's Vanishing Elephant was based on an idea he discussed with Morritt.
Brought to our attention by B. Robert Pulver in his effect Flying Ace: The creation of “Flyto” is often attributed to Charles Morritt, who premiered his version of the effect in London at the Egyptian Hall sometime after 1890. While Morritt may well have been the first to perform the illusion and popularize it in London, earlier documents reveal the originator of the illusion was actually Austrian magician, Chevalier Ernest Thorn. It is believed that Morritt’s only contribution was to change the illusion’s name, “Der Traum des Khalifen von Bagdad” (which, translated from German, means “The Dream of the Calyphs of Bagdad”), before adding it to his show. Later (c.1902), Harry Kellar began calling it "Fly-To." Pulver credits his informational source as: Leonard Ware in Magicol, The Journal of the Magic Collectors’ Association, November, 2008.
(1898-1970)
Essentially self-taught, Mulholland never managed to obtain a degree of any type, but was recognized as perhaps the leading intellectual in magic in his time. He edited the prestigious magical journal, "The Sphinx" (1932-1952).
Recent scholarship has confirmed that at the time of the Cold War, Mulholland in fact went to work for the CIA, responding to their invitation to teach the rules and art of deception for use in covert activities.
Mulholland's personal library of magic was one of the most comprehensive known.
Invented: Split Deck,
Wrote: Quicker than the Eye (1932), Story of Magic (1935), The Art of Illusion (1944), and Book of Magic (1963).