There's a fairly famous poster from the 1920's
depicting Servais LeRoy's (of LeRoy, Talma, and Bosco)
Rostrum Levitation, though I'm quite familiar with his work,
and know he was a prolific and creative inventor
(including what we know as the Asrah Levitation)
I can't find any detailed accounts of either performance,
plot, or workings of this particular illusion.

Any of our many Café members have more information on Rostrum?

Magically,
Walt

I am reasonably certain that this is simply an artist's depiction of the Asrah levitation, and not a separate levitation. I am trying to find out if LeRoy ever ended the illusion by sending the covered woman floating out over the heads of the audience as depicted in the poster, but I suspect that was just "artistic license".

The "other" Spellbinder.

Hi Other,
I do know that LeRoy marketed Rostrum as seperate from Asrah,
I don't know if one were an outgrowth of the other though.

I think his second or third run with Asrah he did have her float over the pit,
but I'm tempted to think Rostrum was another illusion/method all together.

Hopefully your research will lead to something more,
or someone will have another two-cetns to offer.
Thanks,
Walt

Have you tried contacting Mike Caveney who co-wrote "Servais Le Roy: Monarch of Mystery" by William V. Rauscher with Mike Caveney? He might have some additional information on it. caveney@earthlink.net
The book: http://websites4magicians.com/mcmagicwor......roy.html

Thanks, yes I have the book it is an amazing volume,
it covers his complete career and only sidesteps
a few details from his personal life.
Unfortunately, I saw no definitive information on his Rostrum illusion here.
Magically,
Walt

Here's a thought...what if the poster is an 'artistic license' version of the ending of Asrah? It would make sense that there would be a bit of embellishment on the part of the advertising. Whether that's the case or not, I can't verify, just thinking out loud...

Rick

Thanks for the suggestion,
but as far as I can delve "Rostrum" was not "Asrah"
and while I'm sure there was artistic license,
it was a form or phantom that floated overhead,=.

It was a different illusion, perhaps not as successful one,
due to the seeming obscurity of it.

The question is still then on the table!
Magically,
Walt

What is your basis for the name "Rostrum Levitation" and your statement that is was an illusion that involved a phantom floating overhead? By comparing dates, I am coming to the conclusion that we are reading into that single poster more than it implies.

The poster is called simply "Rostrum," and NOT "Rostrum Levitation." The poster was printed in 1920, which was the same year that LeRoy began his tour with "The Unseen World" which focused on the then current craze of spiritualism. One of the effects he performed in that show was called "The Transmission of Souls." I think that possibly more search into what went on in his show in 1920 or thereabouts may yield a better answer to this mystery. We see it as a levitation, but from the viewpoint of the spectators in 1920, it could also be a representation of some kind of spiritualism demonstration involving ectoplasm, etc. That's why I ask what is your source for assuming that it is a levitation that is depicted?

I hadn't thought to do this until now: Webster's Dictionary gives one of the definitions for 'rostrum' as "a raised platform on a stage". Could the name on the poster just have been referring to a specific stage called "Rostrum"?

I also thought that it could have meant that LeRoy was the "Rostrum": the magician above all others on the stage...the more I think of it, that might have been closer to the answer.

Rick

I Have often wondered about that poster also. One thought I had was that it could be different from Asrah - not based on any information, just thinking about what other effects were being invented in that time frame. I have wondered if it could be similar to Mascot Moth, but done as a levitation/vanish. His stance in the poster would lend itself as a good way to cover the mechanics and the "spirit" could be an artistic depiction of the vanishing girl. Again, I have no information - this is just where my mind goes when I see this poster.

I am pretty sure without looking that Servais LeRoy did an age type levi as this was one of the most common levitations used prior to the Asrah.

I am also pretty certain that Leroy came up with the beveled table when he was part owner of Hansen, Jansen and Leroy in Chicago.

I will have to get down Rauscher's book and read through it further to see.

The idea of a Rostrum being a stage fits the idea. Also a lot of chatequea (SP) had speakers that talked at rostrums so it could have been an attempt by LeRoy to tie into that market.

Richard

Here is a link to the poster:
http://www.magicpostergallery.com/magicp......ge_2.jpg
It actually says "Rostrum - The last word in magic"
I don't think its a levitation as a person isn't depicted at all. It looks like he is shooting a fireball out over the audience. Or a ghost??? Perhaps its a precursor to the spook shows that had ghosts flying around inside the theater.
Has anyone ever asked Caveney about this specifically?

EDIT: I have sent off an email to Caveney and will see if he can shed light on this.

I got the official story on what illusion this poster represents:
Are you ready?
....
drum roll
....

Its the...

Asrah Levitation

That comes from Mr Caveney himself.