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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
After the tease of The Great Lafayette - Sigmund Neuberger,
in Steinmeyer’s book The Great Deception. I’ve been fascinated with over the top Lafayette, it’s cool first of all to find another vintage gay magician in addition to Germaine, and this guy was one heck of a showman and eccentric. I’d like to learn more. Does anyone know if any bio’s have been, or in the process of being, written? Hey if not, some experts who’ve done in depth research on him and would maybe like a ghost writer to complete their task? Magically, Walt |
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mtpascoe Inner circle 1932 Posts |
I'm sure you are referring to the Glorious Deception. The section about Lafayette is on Chapter 17. I too always assumed that Lafayette and Germain was gay. Lafayette to me seemed like Liberace. And if you read between the lines in the biography's of Karl Germain, you can surmise that he was gay as well.
He had a strange sense of humor. One joke he pulled would seem funnier if one was aware that he was gay was when he was on a train with these two sisters that was smitten with him. When they went through a tunnel, he made some lip smacking sounds and protest out loud. Kind of like, "Don't stop" sort of thing. When they got out of the tunnel and their sights were returned to them, he had a smile on his face. Each sister thought the other was the one that had smooched with the wizard. Just like Liberace, Lafayette did have a relationship with a woman. But, one can't help but assume by his popinjay manner that we was indeed gay. As far as a biography of the great showman, I'm sure it might be a project of Steinmeyer one of these days. |
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msmaster Special user 522 Posts |
There is a thin English volume on LaFayette. When I get home I'll find it and post the details.
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Oooops! Of course I meant Glorious Deception, but was typing "Great" so much I had a brain slip. Good story.
I'd be very grateful if you have the name and pub information on that book! Magically |
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Damon Regular user 108 Posts |
The biography book on Lafayette is titled:
The Life & Times of The Great Lafayette 1872-1911 By: Arthur Setterington Published by Abraxas Publications, 1991, Hard bound W/DJ 112pp http://www.mylovelyassistant.com/products/view/1913 http://cgi.ebay.com/Setteringtons-LIFE-T......57311841 Regards, Mark Damon |
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Kevin Connolly Inner circle New Jersey 1329 Posts |
I wonder if this guy was any relation. He sure was old enough to at least to have known him.
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/l......28.story
Please visit my website.
www.houdinihimself.com Always looking buy or trade for original Houdini, Hardeen and escape artist items. I'm interested in books, pitchbooks and ephemera. Email [email]hhoudini@optonline.net[/email] |
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Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
I found that chapter very interesting as well.
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Hopefully not many people care about this book and I'll get the bid, at least I hope, thanks! Walt
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
There was a series of articles about him in one of the magic magazines that called him the most despised magician in the world or the most hated magician in the world. I do not know why he was given that appellation, other than he was somewhat of a martinet.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Kevin Connolly Inner circle New Jersey 1329 Posts |
It's a fairly common book that can bought for $40.00 or less.
Please visit my website.
www.houdinihimself.com Always looking buy or trade for original Houdini, Hardeen and escape artist items. I'm interested in books, pitchbooks and ephemera. Email [email]hhoudini@optonline.net[/email] |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Walt:
If you miss out on the copy on eBay, I know where one is for $45.00.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Damon Regular user 108 Posts |
It has been a long time since I have read the Setterington book now, almost 10 years. But if I remember correctly, Lafayette had a great disdain for amateur magicians and magic clubs and organizations. He did not even associate with many of his other professionals except a few like Houdini whom he knew from the early years when they were both struggling to make it. I do know it was Goldston who called him "The most hated magician" though. He had a whole chapter on Lafayette in his book "Secrets of Famous Illusionists" where he states that as "his" opinion. I have that book too but it has been years since I read it also, so use what I am writing here as a start for yourself in following some of these things up if you have an interest.
Happy New Year, Mark P.S. I remember he had a very eccentric relationship with his dog, that he received as a gift from Houdini if memory serves me right. He treated it very well. Maybe others with a better recollection than mine could share some of those stories. They are pretty funny the lengths he went to in lavishing the finner things in life on his dog |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
The dog thing went beyond eccentric.
He was the center of his world, and he died shortly after the dog. He was stuck up it seems, and elitist, so was disliked by peers. Some of his shows were brilliant, others not so much, lots of spark but sometimes little fire. Bill if you can I'd love the book if eBay does not pan out. Thanks for the input guys, Walt |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
PM'ed you.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-12-28 12:05, Damon wrote: reminds of what my dad said about Dante. He never socialized with magicians.
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
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houdinisghost Loyal user 287 Posts |
He was, apparently, genuinely anti-social. He and Houdini may have understood each other better than many others understood either of them.
I have read various descriptions of the dog Houdini gave Lafayette. Beauty has been called a mongrel, a mix--but the photo I have seen of that dog looks exactly like the Tennessee Hound. Lafayette fed Beauty better than he ate himself. Better than he fed other people. More stuff has popped up on Lafayette (by his real name) on Ancestry.com in recent months |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Thanks guys, was able to get the eBay copy.
If this thread keeps going, I'll update from time to time as I learn more. Walt |
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Kevin Connolly Inner circle New Jersey 1329 Posts |
I forgot to mention that I have a Lafayette piece on my site. Just click on the link below and click on "Magic Books".
Please visit my website.
www.houdinihimself.com Always looking buy or trade for original Houdini, Hardeen and escape artist items. I'm interested in books, pitchbooks and ephemera. Email [email]hhoudini@optonline.net[/email] |
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duanebarry Special user 883 Posts |
"Conjuring" by James Randi gives Lafayette two pages and a very nice full-page color poster of Lafayette as the menacing Dr Kremser, Vivisectionist. Pages 90-92. A small black and white image of this poster appears on page 20 of the Setterington book.
John Fisher gives pages 174-181 to Lafayette in "Paul Daniels and the Story of Magic," with 2 b/w photos and 3 color images, including the Dr Kremser poster among the color items. |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Guys! Thanks so much for helping me to find the Lafayette book.
I'm about half the way through, and it's just marvelous. I know he was a huge draw and talent, but had no idea of the extent of his fame! I wonder why he has not gone down in history with the likes of Soo, Keller, Hermann, Levant, DeKolta, and others? He was certainly their professional peers, and commanded huge fees, and was loved by the public. How fickle magic history is, to remember some and almost forget great showmen and innovators. I'm actually thinking of borrowing some of his pieces and marketing savvy sometime down the line. Lafayette joins my other early 20th Century heroes: LeRoy, Germain, and Okito, Also my list of well loved and accepted magicians who were not heterosexual. Wish I'd learned about him earlier, he would have had a mention in my book. Magically, Walt |
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