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Texas36 New user 92 Posts |
I am doing research for an article on Civil War magicians. I have come across references in Southern newspapers to performances by "Mago Del Mage" (Atlanta and Savannah), "Monti, the Great Southern Scenic Magician" (Augusta, GA), "the Mute Magician" (Alexandria, LA), "the Chinese Magician" (Nashville), "Professor Van Robinson" (Richmond), "M. Leo Taylor, the Great Oriental Magician and Ventriloquist" Yazoo, MS), "W.F. Chamberlin, the Fakir of Delhi" (Leavenworth, KS),"Mr. C. Matthews" (Nashville), and "Prof Jacobs" (Natchex, MS). I'd appreciate information on any of these magicians or others who might have toured the South during the war (1861-1865). In researching this it has been interesting to me how many of the magicians who toured were also ventriloquists. Also, several of them had visual shows like the "Steromonoscopic Dissolving Views" which played Indianola, Texas in 1861.
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
You might want to contact Rick Green (rickmagic1)
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Texas36 New user 92 Posts |
Will do. Thanks, Bill. I keep looking for a reference to the "cups and bullets" trick but haven't found one yet.
Ed |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Ed,
As an Alabama boy, I am very interested in what you have learned and will learn. The South still generates more than its share of professional entertainers and battlefield fatalities. Perhaps you will find the reason. If you think I can help, rattle my cage. Where are you? Bob Sanders Magic By Sander PS --- I suggest that you investigate "wood carving and wood carvers" to link to ventriloquists. Wood carving from all over the world was reproduced in the South even into the 1970s when the American wooden furniture industry died. |
Texas36 New user 92 Posts |
I'm in Houston, Bob. I write a lot of Civil War history things and got interested in magicians (my other hobby) relating to that period. But there has been relatively little written about them, particularly the ones who toured the South during the war.In April 1862, there was one fellow in Nashville who was written up in the paper as having an act "during which he will amputate a man's nose." Surprised that didn't catch on. I think a good amputated nose effect could make some money today.
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Clay Shevlin Elite user 497 Posts |
Ed,
Power to your project! It is great to see you going back to primary sources, as I believe that is where you will get the best results in terms of original research. But that’s not to say that secondary and tertiary resources should be ignored – it’s never a bad idea to take advantage of the previous work of fellow historians. So do not overlook the obvious sources, such as Christopher’s Illustrated History of Magic, and Price’s Magic A Pictorial History of Conjurers in the Theater. Christopher mentions at least half a dozen performers who worked in the period that interests you, and Price mentions even more. Price is an especially good source, as he discusses more of the “little guys.” You should also most definitely consult Charlie Pecor’s The Magician on the American Stage 1752-1877. And do not overlook works like T. West Hill’s The Theatre in Early Kentucky. While the period covered by Hill’s book predates your period of interest, in books like this you will find valuable resources to consult for later periods. Magazines like The Sphinx, The Linking Ring, Magicol, etc., will also probably contain articles of interest. And the large magic collections, some privately held, others publicly held, should provide fertile ground for your research, as they will contain playbills, etc. I’ve run out of time, but hope the foregoing was helpful. I’d be grateful if you’d keep me in mind and let me know when your work is published. Clay |
MagiClyde Special user Columbus, Ohio 871 Posts |
Quote:
In researching this it has been interesting to me how many of the magicians who toured were also ventriloquists. Also, several of them had visual shows like the "Steromonoscopic Dissolving Views" which played Indianola, Texas in 1861. A lot of magicians, even some today, had to be a "jack of all trades, master of none" to earn their bread and butter. Not all of them used a dummy with their act either. It seems the use of a "partner" is a relatively recent developement. A couple other areas of entertainment that some practiced, though I can't remember what they're called, involved doing shadow figures on a wall and another using a round piece of cloth with a hole in the center. Saw this at the Magi-fest a couple of times and thought it was one of the more refreshing acts performed there. By the way, what, exactly, is "Steromonoscopic Dissolving Views"? Enquiring minds want to know.
Magic! The quicker picker-upper!
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Texas36 New user 92 Posts |
Here is the description of the "Dissolving Views" effect (which sounds like a slide show/shadow puppet thing) as it played at the St. Louis Opera House:
The lovers of the beautiful were treated to a surfeit well nigh last evening, at the St. Louis Opera House, as the magic exhibition unfolded the long and surpassingly brilliant display—There is a large curtain with a circle of black around it—the inside white—which is first wet, and then come from the stereoscope and polaroscope by some to us unknown science, a succession of pictures of Kings, Captains, Actors, Actresses, Candidates for President, Temples, Cities, Shipping, a Strip and Houses on fire, the Seasons coming and going, Water-falls, snow-storms, and all the wonders of a modern dioramic display. When the fine thoughtful form of Garibaldi came on, there was loud greeting of it by the audience—equalled by nothing that was exhibited but the wild greeting which was given Breckinridge and Douglas in turn. The drop curtain of the several parts was original indeed, it being the unfolding of polaroscopic Miracles, by a succession of unfoldings of wheels within wheels, such as Ezekiel's vision, speaks [sic?] of which dart off into diamonds, stars, &c.—advances and recedes—folds in and rolls out and over, generally in Hogarths line of beauty—the circle—often in other forms, but always in such a magic wonder that the effect on the house is a continuous expression of astonishment. The music behind the curtain was very pleasant, and occasionally accompanied by a rich and practised voice. Go, See, Hear and Wonder! |
SenseiStrange Veteran user The Dead God's Dreams 345 Posts |
Fascinating
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Contact Max Howard as he's done a bit of research on this topic for his Gus Rich The Wizard of the Blue Ridge show.
http://www.illusionata.com/mpt/view.php?......p;id=168
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Mark R. Williams Regular user 193 Posts |
One John Henry Anderson performed or was to perform in Richmond until they caught his advertising of "The Great Wizard of the NORTH". He is (was) talking about Scotland but it seems the southerners did not appreciate it.
He did perform for Lincoln though. regards, mark
"One more step on the pathway of Knowledge, that is if we don't break our leg crossing the street"
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