November 11: The Magical Master
In 1907, David Devant premiered The Magical Master at St. George’s Hall
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Historic milestones, notable events, and magical anniversaries from this day.
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November 3: Verbeck
Eugene Verbeck was born this day in 1844
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October 31: Thumb Tip's Invention
Today marks the birthday of Professor Herwinn (William Humpage) in 1861; he apparently invented the Thumb Tip
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October 28: Robert-Houdin in Algeria
Robert-Houdin’s famous magic performance before the Algerian chieftains occurred in an Algiers theater this night in 1856
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October 16: Peter Godfrey
Peter Godfrey was born on this day in 1899
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October 4: The Floating (Toilet) Ball
On this day in 1946, magic dealer Joe Karson filed a U.S. patent for an “Illusion Apparatus,” marketed under the name of Zombie, the floating ball.
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October 1: Clippo
In the October 1937 Linking Ring, William H. Wilson (Will de Seive) advertised his trick, Clippo.
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August 25: The Crucifixion of Chami Kkan
Exactly 70 years ago, in 1955, the annual Abbott’s Get Together was in full force. Chami Kkan, a mystic from Venezuela, was nailed to a cross with three long spikes.
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August 24: Thurston's Nostril Expander
In 1926, illusionist Howard Thurston was granted a United States Patent for a “Nostril Expander,” which was marketed as Thurston’s Perfect Breather.
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September 11: Bozo’s Circus
In 1961, Chicago magician De Yip Loo was the first guest act on the premiere of Bozo’s Circus, on WGN television
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September 14: William Lindsay Gresham
William Lindsay Gresham died by suicide in 1962
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September 25: Pepper’s Ghost
On this day in 1863, letters of patent were issued to Henry Dircks and John Henry Pepper for “an improvement on apparatus to be used in the exhibition of dramatic and other like performances"