April 23: Paul Valadon
Paul Valadon died on this day, 1913, in Phoenix, Arizona. He was supposed to be Kellar’s successor, but in 1907 Howard Thurston raced back to America and secured the contract instead.
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Historic milestones, notable events, and magical anniversaries from this day.
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April 18: Joseph Dunninger
“For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, none will suffice.”
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April 6: Houdini's Not-Birthday
This day in 1874 was not Harry Houdini’s birthday. But he celebrated his birthday on this day all his life. Wanna know why?
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April 1: Miko
Are you sure this isn't just an April Fool's thing? Can such a card possibly exist?
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March 25: Frances Ireland Marshall
Frances Ahrens, later Frances Ireland Marshall, managed a magic shop and knew everything about the profession and might tell you about it with wilting honesty.
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March 24: Chung Ling Soo
On this date in 1918, at the Wood Green Empire in North London, Music Hall illusionist Chung Ling Soo was shot onstage during the Bullet Catching Trick.
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March 12: Lafayette
On March 12, 1904, Lafayette completed the week with his new show at the Avenue Theater in Detroit. He featured a spectacle called The Bride of Thibet (later The Lion’s Bride).
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March 9: "This is Your Life!"
On March 9 1960, Ralph Edwards surprised Harry Blackstone Sr. with the words, “This is Your Life!”
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March 7: City Lights
City Lights, Charlie Chaplin’s masterful film comedy, premiered across America on this date in 1931. Which magician was cast to co-star?
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February 25: Henry Irving
On this date in 1865, 27-year-old actor Henry Irving achieved his first theatrical hit with a parody of the Davenport Brothers’ spirit séance, in Manchester, England.
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February 22: David Devant
This year we celebreate David Devant’s 157th birthday. He was one of Great Britain’s most influential magicians— an exemplum of skilled conjuring, creativity, and good taste.
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February 21: Human-sized Cannon
In 1906, Horace Goldin filed two patents that diagrammed apparatus for “Producing Stage Illusions.” One patent was for human-sized cannon.