Hello Friends,

Perhaps this old news to you, but just in case you missed the recent restoration of some long-forgotten film:

https://www.universetoday.com/142381/the......estored/

Maskelyne was always one of my heroes, and likewise eclipses never fail to amaze me. So, here we get two for the price of one!

Thomas Henry

Superb find! I had not heard of this before. Thanks for sharing.

This was excellent. I had never heard of this before.

Nevil's father always claimed to be related to this guy.

Doc TARBELL had a "version" of the ECLIPSE. I saw it presented at Abbott's Get Together, years ago.

George Boston, in his book, "INSIDE MAGIC", mentions Tarbell presenting it at the Chicago Opera House, "eons" ago, when Tarbell "four walled" the Opera House (in the '40s, I believe). With his "suitcase show", using a table from the theater prop room, Doc was charging the same ticket price as Harry Blackstone Sr. with his box car full of illusion props!

I'm getting forgetful at my age! I can't remember for sure, who did it at Abbott's. I KNEW both of them, but my brain is not functioning today!!! I THINK THAT it was the late Bob Parrish, and the late Phil Willmarth. Maybe someone else can verify that.

Hello Dick,



I'm not quite with you on this. You saw a film of his at Colon? Was Tarbell an astronomer or cinematographer in addition to his theatrical talents?

I thought Maskelyne was the first to film an eclipse, but could be wrong.

Thomas Henry

Hi Thomas,

I saw a LIVE presentation at Abbott's GTG. IIRC it was about 25 years ago. It was introduced as an illusion that had been performed by Harlan Tarbell.

I am not very familiar with Maskelyne, except for the "War Magician".

Perhaps Tarbell's was a different illusion? His involved lighting, a "steel" disc about 18" in diameter two frames (somewhat like the old "Hong Kong Dove Production) I don't recall too many details, but the effect, IIRC was a transposition of the "steel" disc from one of the frames to the other.

BTW, Doc was a naturopathic physician. I don't think he was an astronomer, or cinematographer. Incidentally, he was a nudist. He booked many nudist camps along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. The fellows at the Wizard Club would ask him: "Doc, where do you pin your pull?"

Hope this helps!

Dick