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unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,320 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 320 | ROBERT-HOUDIN'S IGNORANCE OF MAGIC retired from public life, purchased a farm, and rested on their laurels and a corpulent bank account. One of them is said to have admitted that all their work was skilful manipulation and not spiritualistic manifestations. Nevertheless, their names will live so long as spiritualism is talked of or cabinet effects tolerated by the public. The trick as offered by the Davenport Brothers con- sisted of their being tied hand and foot at opposite ends of the cabinet, which was hung with musical instruments, bells, etc. The two men slipped in and out of the ropes without delay or apparent damage to the ropes, and musi- cal instruments were played with arms presumably in bondage. Robert-Houdin, in attempting to expose the trick, makes two flagrant errors. First he claims that "by dint of special practice on the part of our mediums, the thumb is made to lie flat in the hand, when the whole assumes a cylindrical form of scarcely greater diameter than the wrist"; and second that the Davenport Brothers had trained themselves to see in the dark. As releasing myself from fastenings of all sorts, from ropes to strait-jackets, has been my profession for twenty years, I am in a position to contradict Robert-Houdin's first claim positively. I have met thousands of persons who claimed that the rope, as well as the handcuff trick, was accomplished by folding the hand together or making the wrist larger than the hand, but never have I met men or women who could make their hands smaller than their wrists. I have even gone so far as to have iron bands made and press my hands together, hoping eventually to make my hands smaller than my wrists, but this has [ 29I ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,308 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 308 | ROBERT-HOUDIN'S IGNORANCE OF MAGIC scènes de Ventriloquie exécutées et communiquées par M. Conte, Physicien du Roi," Paris, 1837; "Anciens et Nou- vaux Tours d'Escamotage," of which there are innumer- able editions; "Le Manuel des Sorciers. Recréations Phy- siques, Mathématiques, Tours de Cartes et de Gibecière; suivre, des Jeux de Société," Paris, 1802. His third work, "Magie et Physique Amusante," trans- POSITION OF BOY IN BASKET Position of the "vanished" Hindoo while concealed in the basket. From the Harry Houdini Collection. lated by Professor Hoffmann under the title of "The Secrets of Stage Conjuring," and published in English in 1881, is marred by an almost continuous strain of mis- statements, incorrect explanations, and downright falsifi- cation. On page 17 of the American edition Robert-Houdin [ 279] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,294 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 294 | ROBERT-HOUDIN'S IGNORANCE OF MAGIC the man sent by an editor to criticise a conjurer's per- formance knew little or nothing about the art and could not institute comparisons between different magicians. To-day Robert-Houdin would shine as an exhibitor of illusions or mechanical toys. A pistol shot, a puff of smoke-and his confederate or assistant has done the real work behind the scenes. His lack of finesse as a sleight-of-hand performer is nowhere more clearly shown than in his own writings. On page 37 of his French exposé of the secrets of magic, entitled "Comment on Devient Sorcier" (page 5I of the English translation by Professor Hoffmann, "The Secrets of Conjuring and Magic"), he thus naïvely describes his masterpiece of coin-palming: "I myself practised palming long and perseveringly, and acquired thereat a very considerable degree of skill. I used to be able to palm two five-franc pieces at once, the hand, nevertheless, remaining as freely open as though it held nothing whatever." An amateur of his own day would have blushed to admit that he could palm but two coins. Men like T. Nelson Downs, "The Koin King," think nothing of palming twenty five-franc or silver dollars, or forty half- dollars, and even this record has been broken. Even two writers who contributed to the translation and editing of his works, R. Shelton Mackenzie and Pro- fessor Hoffmann (Angelo J. Lewis), and who have drawn rich royalties for the same, apologize for his flagrant mis- statements, which, they realize, any man or woman with but a slight knowledge of conjuring must recognize. His first contribution to the history of magic was his [ 265 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,310 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 310 | ROBERT-HOUDIN'S IGNORANCE OF MAGIC was not a novelty in his day. The lock which would first alarm the household by setting off a pistol and then brand the thief's hand, is described by the Marquis of Worcester in his. book "Centurie of Inventions." As locks and locksmithing form my hobby, while in England I purchased the entire set of patent-books, to add to a collection of locks and fastenings from every known coun- try of the world. In the introduction of the first book of patents for inventions relating to locks, latches, bolts, etc., from A.D. 1774 to 1866, the following quotation will be found: "The Marquis of Worcester in his "Centurie of Inven- tions' thus describes the first detector lock invented, A.D. 1640, by some mechanical genius of that day: "This lock is so constructed that, if a stranger attempts to open it, it catches his hand as a trap catches a fox, though as far as maiming him for life, yet so far marketh him that if sus- pected he might easily be detected.'" It appears that to this lock was fitted a steel barb which, if a certain tumbler was overlifted in the act of picking or otherwise, was projected against the hand of the operator by a spring. I have seen such a lock as this in the collection of Hobbs, Hart & Co., London, who have had it in their possession many years. In every respect it answers the description of the invention claimed by Robert-Houdin as his own. Chapter VII. of "Secrets of Stage Conjuring" is de- voted to Robert-Houdin's very incorrect explanation of the famous Indian Basket Trick. Even his own trans- lator, Professor Hoffmann, takes issue with Robert-Hou- din, as will be seen by reading his foot-note on page IO4: [281] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,300 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 300 | ROBERT-HOUDIN'S IGNORANCE OF MAGIC years back in France by a mountebank called "the Sabre- Swallower.' "This man, who performed in the streets, threw back his head so as to form a straight line with his throat, and really thrust down his gullet a sabre, of which only the hilt remained outside his mouth. "He also swallowed an egg without cracking it, or even nails and pebbles, which he caused to resound, by striking his stomach with his fist. "These tricks were the result of a peculiar formation in the mountebank's throat, but, if he had lived among the Aïssaoua, he would have assuredly been the leading man of the company." The sabre-swallower never releases his hold on the weapon. The pebble and bottle-heel swallower does- but brings them up again, by a system of retching which results from long practice. The Japanese have an egg- swallowing trick in which they swallow either small- sized ivory balls or eggs, and reproduce them by a retch- ing so unnoticeable that they could easily show the mouth empty. This trick dates back to the offerings of that celebrated water-spouter, Blaise Manfrede, or de Manfre, who trav- elled all over Europe. This man could swallow huge quantities of water and then eject it in streams or in small quantities or fill all sorts of glasses. In fact this one trick made him famous. The European Magazine, London, March, 1765, pages 194-5, gives a most diverting descrip- tion of his trick, taken from an old letter, and here quoted : "I have seen, at the September fair in Francfort, a man who professed drinking fifty quarts of water in a [ 271 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,196 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 196 | Reproduction of an illustration in "Aufschlüsse zur Magie," by Hofrath von Eckartshausen, showing the automatic rope vaulter as exhibited in 1784 by Pinetti. Original in the Harry Houdini Collection. 169 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,186 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 186 | Reproduction of an illustration in "Aufschlüsse zur Magie," by Hofrath von Eckartshausen, showing the automatic rope vaulter as exhibited in 1784 by Pinetti. Original in the Harry Houdini Collection. [ 169 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,229 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 229 | Robert and Haidee Heller from photographs taken at the time that they were presenting second sight accord- ing to the Robert-Houdin method by an electric code. From the Harry Houdini Collection. | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,230 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 230 | SECOND SIGHT "Memoirs" of spending hours with his son in poring over an enormous collection of coins, medals, etc., which severe lesson helped them both in future performances. To the conjurer, this tale is farcical. Not only was there no need of forcing the boy to become a coin expert, but the task was one which could not be accomplished in the brief time which Robert-Houdin allowed himself for perfecting the trick. The only knowledge required about coins is to recognize a coin when you see it. Some one may hand a coin of peculiar stamp, and the operator must signal to his medium the metal and all he knows about it. Of course, if both know the various coins, then they can understand each other with less signaling than if the coins were unfamiliar to either. Inaudi, the French calculator, can look at a blackboard filled with numbers for a few seconds, then turn his back upon them and add the entire amount that he has just seen and memorized. But let the reader understand that Inaudi is peculiarly gifted by nature, while second sight is a trick in which the person on the stage known as the medium is assisted by words, signs, prearranged movements, or articles or figures in rotation, which to the layman have the appearance of being unprepared. At a familiar cue, however, the operator touches articles that have been memorized, a ring, a watch, a scarf-pin, a lady's fan, an opera glass, all in rotation. At a snap of the fingers the medium will know that the articles are to be named in consecutive order, and only after the snap of the fingers or another cue agreed upon. Robert-Houdin presented the trick for the first time [203] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,244 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 244 | SECOND SIGHT Army, under how many Monarchs he has served, in how many battles he has been engaged, and whether he has ever been wounded and how many wounds he has received. By throwing the Dice, she will every time exactly tell the very number of spots which may have been determined on." This wordy announcement is signed by W. Sahm, of Holland. In my collection there is also an interesting handbill ad- vertising the tour of "The Mysterious Lady" who offered second-sight tricks in the eastern part of the United States in 1842-43. Her name was never stated on the programmes, but the latter, together with a clipping dated Boston, February 20th, 1843, will suffice to prove my claim that she was offering second-sight before Robert-Houdin did, and therefore could not be copying his trick. She also appeared in England fully a year before Robert-Houdin "discovered" second sight. Henri Robin and his wife featured second sight in Italy just when Robert-Houdin first offered it in Paris. It is barely possible that they antedated Robert-Houdin in the production of this trick, for I have in my collection a brochure entitled "Album des Soirées de M. et Mme. Robin," which contains an engraving of the couple offer- ing second-sight, a short poem in honor of Mme. Robin's remarkable gifts as a second-sight artist, and a poem generally eulogistic of M. Robin's talents dated distinctly February 7th, 1846. Robert-Houdin presented second- sight for the first time, according to his own "Memoirs," on February 12th, 1846. To prove the utter folly of Robert-Houdin's claims to [ 217] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,238 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 238 | SECOND SIGHT The talking code employed by Pinetti was not original with him, as it dates back to the automaton worked by a concealed confederate who controlled the piston for the mechanical figure or pulled the strings to manipulate the dancing coins or moving head. It was novel only in its application to the supposed thought-transferrence by a human being instead of an automaton. This code is described by various reliable authors. On page 388, Volume III. of Hooper's "Recreations," edition 1782, it is stated that the confederate worked the apparatus from another room. "By certain words, previ- ously agreed on, make it known to the confederate," is the advice given to would-be conjurers. Beckman in his "History of Inventions" relates that he knew an exhibitor of a "talking figure" whose con- cealed confederate was cued to answer certain questions, the answers being given in the manner of putting the question, also by different signs. These instructions will be found on page 3II of Volume II., edition of 1817. Decremps undertook to expose Pinetti's method of working the second-sight trick in his famous book, but in this attempt he scored one of the few failures which marked the bitter fight he waged against Pinetti. In his book "La Magie Blanche Dévoilée" (White Magic Exposed), first edition, 1784, he offers on page 40 "Les Cartes dévinées, les yeux bandés" (The Divination of Cards with the Eyes Blindfolded). In this feat Decremps explains that Pinetti would allow cards to be drawn, then a lady (Signora Pinetti) would appear on the stage, would be blindfolded, and would name all the cards that were drawn. Decremps explains the prearranged pack of 1 | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,228 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 228 | SECOND SIGHT Then, picking up the long idle quill of Baron Mun- chausen, he proceeds to explain the methods by which he perfected the trick and trained his son. To the layman these methods read most entertainingly. To the expe- rienced conjurer or his humblest assistant they appeal as absurd and impossible, a sheer waste of time, of which Robert-Houdin and his son Emile, presenting second sight. Here the bell is used as it was by Henri Robin. From an illustration in the original French edition of the Robert-Houdin "Memoirs." a man who reproduced the tricks of his predecessors as rapidly as Robert-Houdin did, would not be guilty. He claims to have trained the eye and memory of his son, by leading the latter past shop windows, and after allowing him one glance, demanding the names of articles seen at this single glance. When the boy could mention forty things after passing the window, his education was pronounced good. Robert-Houdin also tells in his [201] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,232 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 232 | SECOND SIGHT at his own theatre, February I2th, 1846. Unquestionably at this time he employed the speaking code, wherein the answer is contained in the question asked of the medium by the performer. As he describes scene after scene in which he and his son participated, it is almost possible for a conjurer or any one interested in magic to follow his code. Apparently the amusement-loving public be- came familiar with his speaking code, for three years later, according to the illustrated appendix of the French edition of his "Memoirs," he adopted a code of signals, which he states was especially arranged to confuse those whom he terms his "fearless discoverers." A mysterious bell was used in this connection, but he admits that it mattered not whether the bell struck or was silent, his son could name the object under consid- eration or answer the question. While Robert-Houdin asserts that he did not employ electricity for working his silent code, investigations make it almost certain that this was the method used. It is known throughout the world of conjuring that in 1850-51 Robert Heller (William Henry Palmer) reproduced Robert-Houdin's entire répertoire of tricks, with the exception of the suspension, and all worked precisely by Robert-Houdin's methods. In the second-sight trick, which he first presented with a young man as the medium, then later with Miss Haidee Heller, the medium was seated on a sofa fully equipped with wires and electric batteries. Heller's second sight was worked with both the speaking and silent codes. His confederate was concealed behind the scenes watching Heller through a peep-hole, or possibly he used another, seated in the au- dience, and had the wires strung under his chair, arranging [ 205 | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,240 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 240 | SECOND SIGHT cards for this trick, also outlining the manner of giving the medium the cue for certain phrases. For instance, while explaining to the audience that he will not speak at all, in the very sentences addressed to the spectators he informs the medium which cards have been selected. Pinetti's code must have been clever, as Decremps was unable to explain the entire second-sight act. He has omitted the principal part of the mystification, that is, naming the articles held up for the performer to see. That the card trick was only one test of his second-sight performance, and that Pinetti's medium did not retire after naming the cards, are facts shown by the following clipping from one of his announcements: "Signora Pinetti will have the special honor and satis- faction of exhibiting various experiments of new discovery, no less curious than seemingly incredible, particularly that of her being seated in one of the front boxes with an handkerchief over her eyes, and guess at everything imagined and proposed to her by any person in the company." Third on the list of second-sight performers, according to the data in my collection, was Louis Gordon M'Kean, who created a sensation at the Egyptian Hall Bazaar, Piccadilly, London, in 1831, or fifteen years before Robert- Houdin, according to his claims, "discovered" second sight. Young M'Kean was featured as possessing dou- ble, not second, sight, and one of his bills is reproduced on page 212. Another programme in my collection, dated the Théâtre Scarboro, Friday evening, August 4th, 1837, announces "For a limited engagement of three nights the Three [ 213 ] 1 | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,248 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 248 | SECOND SIGHT ert-Houdin used both the speaking and the signal code, but so did Breslaw, and all evidence points to the fact that Robert-Houdin merely improved upon the trick em- ployed by Breslaw, Pinetti, and others THE DOUBLE-SIGHTED among his predeces- Beautiful Hog, sors in magic, by uti- CARLOS, zs sow sas lizing the newly found Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, UNDER THE assistant to the magi- Patronage of the KING & Royal Family. cian, electricity. In his tiny theatre it would have been entirely feasible to have had TRIS astonishing Animal is from New York, whose sagacity and decility have beea the surprise and admiration of all who have witneesed performances, parti. electric wires run from cularly at Basontow, where Mr. HAMINOTON had the bonour of exhibiting, on the 17th of Dec. 1831, Dow CARLOS' wonderfal abilities, by special Command before all points of the audi- His Most Gracious Majesty William IV. an D ROTAL PAMILY. At the Pavilion; on which occasion hie Majesty and thr tyal Pivinily were pleased torium to the stage, to express the approbation and delight they experiences, as his most extraordinary performances. A visit to this haif-reasoning Dog will amply gratify the levers of Nature's works. This very extraordinary and handsome creature is a Spaniel of the thus doing away with true Spanish breed, and in addition to his wonderful faculties, is of so mild and tract- ables dispesition, that he may be managed by a child with perfect case and enfety. Ris acquirements consist chiefy of Performances with Cards, wherein he displaye both the speaking and the greatest precision. He will also select the handsomest Lady lé the Room, - cording to his judgment (which is seldom.questioned), eldest de youngest Pereom, . say question put by the Company, and the Gentleman most partial to the Ladico. ordinary signal codes, DON CARLOS IS NOW FOR SALE: His price is Fifty Guineas. The present owner of this beautiful animal would be happy to let him accompany him to America, for which be will shortly embark, but even the pne… | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,236 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 236 | SECOND SIGHT having stumbled upon, quite by accident, a trick which he did not know that others had offered before him. Such a statement is illogical and absurd. Books of magic to which Robert-Houdin had access and which he admits having read describe the trick in a more or less crude form. Pinetti, whose tricks were fully described to Robert-Houdin by his old friend Torrini, used the second-sight mystification with excellent effect. Robert- Houdin could not have been ignorant of its existence as a trick. In making the claim to its discovery in his "Memoirs" he simply trusted to the ignorance of the reading public in the history of magic. According to programmes and newspaper clippings in my collection, Philip Breslaw was the first conjurer to feat- ure second sight in his performance. Breslaw was a clever German who so established himself in the hearts of amusement-loving Englishmen that he remained in England for forty years, dying in Liverpool in 1803. In 1781, while playing at Greenwood's Rooms, Haymarket, London, he announced as Part One of his entertainment: "Mr. Breslaw will exhibit his new magical deceptions, Letters, Medals, Dice, Pocket pieces, Rings, etc., etc., and particularly communicate the thoughts of any person to another without the assistance of speech or writing." Pinetti comes next as an eminent presenter of second sight. Between these two well-known conjurers there may have been various unimportant, unchronicled per- formers who made use of Breslaw's trick, but they have no place in the history of magic. The trick appeared on a Pinetti programme at the Royal Haymarket, London, England, December ist, 1784, 14 [209] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,246 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 246 | SECOND SIGHT having trained his son's eye and memory by patient effort so as to have a mutual transferrence of thought, I will next show that animals had been trained for years to do tricks by secret signals before the alleged "discovery" of second sight. Two rare old bills in my collection advertise the mar- vellous "mind-reading" performances of a goose and a blindfolded dog respectively. The first, dated 1789, announces that a Mr. Beckett, a trunk-maker of No. 3I Haymarket, is exhibiting "a Learned Goose, just lately arrived from abroad. "It performs the following tricks: performing upon cards, money, and watches, telling the time of the month, year, and date, also the value of any piece either English or foreign, distinguishing all sorts of colors and (most prodigiously and certainly unbelieving to those who know the intellects of a goose) she tells the number of ladies and gentlemen in the company or any person's thoughts; any lady or gentleman drawing a card out of the pack, though ever so secret, the Goose, blindfolded at the same time, will find out the card they drew. Admittance two shillings each person." The second bill features Don Carlo, the Double- Sighted dog, which gave an exhibition of his mysterious skill at the Pavillion by special command, before King William and the royal family on December 17th, 1831. This dog was blindfolded and could present almost in duplicate the second-sight tests offered by the Highland lad who five days later gave a similar exhibition before the royal family at the same place. This proof regarding the use of animals as "mediums" | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,234 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 234 | SECOND SIGHT the signal button so that it could be easily reached on the arm or front part of the seat. The receiving instrument was attached to the sofa on which the medium was seated. The latter would be silently informed as to what was being shown and would answer all questions. As proof that these statements are not mere hearsay, the Heller sofa can now be seen in the possession of Mr. Francis J. Martinka, of New York; and Dr. W. Golden Mortimer, who once presented "Mortimer's Mysteries," a show on the style of Heller's performance, furnishes the information that when Heller died in Philadelphia, November 28th, 1878, he engaged the dead magician's chief assistant, an expert electrician named E. J. Dale, who had acted as secret confederate, assisting the medium. After travelling with Mortimer some time, Dale eventu- ally returned to England, and retired from the profession. He opened a large shop in London under the firm name of H. & E. J. Dale, Manufacturing Electricians, 4 Little Britain, E. C., in October, 1882. It was the easiest thing imaginable for Robert-Houdin to have his theatre arranged with secret confederates and wires back of the scenes, where a man with powerful opera-glasses could stand. The place being small, he could look all over the room and see the minutest article. When not making use of the talking code; the simplest method employed by second-sight artists is to have a con- federate in the audience, with either an electrical push but- ton or a pneumatic bulb, who gives the medium the signal. This is received by a miniature piston, which requires only a small hole in the stage, while the medium has a matching hole in the sole of his shoc. This allows the [207] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,245 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 245 | SECONDE VUE DE M ROBIN: Second sight as offered by M. and Mme. Robin, in which Robin employed the bell and the goblet. From the latter she sipped liquor, claiming it tasted like the wine secretly named by a spectator. Robin's stage was equipped with electrical appliances. From the Harry Houdini Collection. | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,165 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 165 | SPIRITUALISM! THE DAVENPORTS BY PROFESSOR ANDERSON [ 148] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,338 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 338 | STRAND THEATRE, Will be Opened on TUESDAY, Dec. 20th, And CONTINUE OPEN DURING THE HOLIDAYS, with the IMPROVED SOIREES MYSTERIEUSES PROFESSORJ.H.ANDERSON Wão - reterend free . T- DENMARK, NORWAY, SWEDEN, RUSSIA, and GERNANY. and bed bence of performing the shale of the MONARCHY of Northern EUROPE! On TUESDAY EVENING, Dec. 26th, 1848, HE MAKE His APPEABASCE AND GITE MIS ROVAL Illestrative of the Fallacy of Magic, Necromancy, Witcheraft, and Demonolegy - late KISU ales sel the - the KING - - Falase NICHULAS of - - - the Imponal - , il the the de N - these THE EMPERON DEPERIAL THE COURT - the - SI te and the - ALA THE or NOSTBLAN the - - - be - and be - the SHEAT MANTER of wher - Mod-re YOU MUST POSITIVELY NAYEA LOOK AT PROFESSOR ANDERSON'S MACIC SKETCH BOOK SKETCH-BOON THE GREATEST WONDER OF THE AGE! BOYAL PROGBAMNE of SCIENTIFIC WONDERS: PART PART ". The ENCHANTED HANDEERCETEPS. SECOND SIGNT; its Fallacy illustrated. ... CHANGEANLE IUTTLE and MISTIC ANINATED Grand EYDRAULIC EXPERIEEJT. The EYSTIC VOLUNE: m the ESTONISHING NON-EFFECT or PREASTRE The MAGIC BANK, : Fishing extraerdinary. GRAND NECHANICAL AMALGA. EXTRAGRBINARY ELECTRIC EXPERIMENT, ASDERMONS nons That uf ecading six WATCHLA threagh esy Geerlemse's SCRAPS EXTRAORDIKARY. Grand POT-POURRI of The MYSTIC BEEAKFAST. The chole . conclude wish the LAST NEW WONDER of Profence The Learned Doves, the Broken Ring, Dissolving Orange, and Enchanted Walnut. SUSPENSION CHLOROFOREENE, (3, Master JOR. MENAY ANDERSO%) CEILD of the AIR: or. Jack in the Bex." R. - - bre See . inhale - perties of - the MISTER ANDERSON. and - rieep. He will the dioples the Estrandinary .be Drng. which bee bailled the whole a the Noducal CEAPEAU DE LA DIABLE Germany. and evert Cosnity ANDERSON *** secratly evited. THE CAULD witt. -LFEP IN THE All. III osty SUPPORT , VEING TICK in .. Anderson's opening programme at the Strand Theatre, Christmas week, 1848, showing that he duplicated the tricks offered by Robert-Houdin, who, in his "Memoirs," claims that Anderson's programme was stale and unint… | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,250 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 250 | TATERLOO For me Few the PATRONAGE OF HER H. PRINCE ALBERT, a THE ROYAL FAMILY, Aud as represented by at me of * - AT ALL THE COURTS OF EUROPE. This Grent Artito of in the Art of Magio, Inventor of the Insxhanstible Bottle, the Suspension the Kegle Punch Bowl, the Second Sight, and . great sumber of other Tricks, is a Member of the Bociety in Pariz, and the only Conjuror who bes received Notional Rewards of Morit for bis Uuparalleled Thisks Magle Transformations and Astomatons, which have astomished and delighted the Sciontine Mep of overz will mot, in of ammeroms Engagemente, be able to remain mose than . limited period in -x- OBLEBRATED French Conjuror, Propricter & Manager of the Palais-Royal Theatre, & late of St James' Theatre, Londen, WILL orve A SERIES or MAGIC SOIREES FANTASTIQUES:! CONMENCING ox THS EVENING os Monday, June 14, 1852. General reox WEICE A SELECTION WILL BE OIVEN RACH EVENINO. The Gorfoind of Mewers Navele Antente (Mechanic Flece) The Transparent Casket the of - of the The Imexhanstible Bettle The Nagle Oupper toa of Rebert Noudin The Glass of Wise, or the Secret of The The Turtie Boves a Contrabendist - Impossibility realiteed The Enchented Cravat, producing The Miracuions Fishery The Irea Crowa Fenthers, de. The Orange, Lemen, and Walunt The Narvellous Orange Tree The Sugar Loaf The Unifilited of The Gomims of Reses The Socond Nght, witheut any Ques Severeigne The Book des The Bell-riager (Mechanic Pleee) The The The Flewer Basket The Nagmotined Cards The Magie Pertiolle The Neapelitam Mariequia The Remertable The Ball of Lambr Weel The Feather and Cannom Ball the Caballatie arying Aurici (Mechamical Plece) The Great The Sporismes - Cupté The Exercise of as Auto- The Emperer Nicholas The Impressice mates The Two Lemons The Orystal Delle The Ariel Gleck The Phenix Pecket Handkerchief The Colome and Glove The Sugpension Chieroforeeme The Magle Tableam The of Flowerp The Young Saveyard (Mechanic Plece) The Swerd WONDROUS PUNCH BOWL, As - New Trick, producing BON-BONS and PUNCH, ed libitum. De… | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,282 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 282 | TEWPLE OF AST, SCIENCE. AND MYSTERY! GRAND SOIREES FANTASTIQUES Intely reterned to Fagiond. aftse visiting Germany, Premin. Austria, Naplui he. hue brfare the Courte of Berlin, de. as. and surgrising all by his FOR A FRW VIGHTS over. Newly Anvented sje INCO. " EMSIBLE FEA TS. - Passessout, the - Arte - Pasta) loge - de the Ant be ever M append la the query. These - - - ether, - the LARGE ROON, (se - and thas - the eyes - the the Sigestalers of the - the . - Pross, . epee dies the presented - le - - rems. - - - the tendeary, of this of Tue the - - New Experiments! Great Novelties!f quise - the - , - issridate bee for - THS The of have beea honoured by the approbation of the Heads of Euroge. stey aford delight (e the Lovers of PROPESSOR RECREATIVE PHILOSOPHY, Their MORAL TENDENCY ever wire the of the Clangy. and the of dus cotrusted with the Fducation u Youth. SYNUPHIS or THS EACH AVENIKO. MUNS.TESTOT, PART 845 basses' vans seves's TRE sox Wax Candite Sagie Seshed of Betating. withers or evees, . sil and the . personal le - - Ress LOST BING CSSCOUERER & RESTORED TO LIFE. wayse. l'artsian Enchanter and Emperer of all the Wieards. ca TRS AND ENCILANTZO MAGIC BOTTLE, Which will asy card chomen by the Andienes THE N. TEATOR - ether frate esich - the & OPISTONS os " Madeve Athees, diepley os CELEBRATED LOAF TRICK, The Bencing - THE PRESS free the - be Goued - - Lee - - - quetes the Compery - prepere. the PRESS. ast - at Nusse and deine the a - sey le - - othee experiments or the way to get vus DSVEIVING DIC& noz PARTE " de Sold SURPRISINC CHAYGES or SUGAR ase COFFER, - periods o3n The The Enchanted Nest the a Negirtes of - Or, - disploying hi. - the Mag. o a 0 w A vass es CANARY SCED. Mystical The desteri.y. the *********, hes dering this bees amis se:! the astounding of bee triebe . deseré ite and (w. SECALT CONCEALER. TNE ATPLIN ', BELLZUUS Marvelloy be aren le he He the The Necremantic Cabiner. .. le terperd the . * , rend, Destgrous menogement of Cupa, Balla, Birds, Flowers, & sed " def, the - ajle Resta, Ze cd. Rea… | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,180 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 180 | THE CABALISTIC CLOCK The mechanic walked off the stage winking at me in the most roguish manner. Robert-Houdin worked The Mystic Bell trick in con- nection with The Clock. This was manipulated in the same way. The bell was worked with thread, pulling a small pin, which in turn caused the handle to fall against the glass bell. Naturally, having electricity at his command at that time, he made use of that force whenever it suited his fancy. I am positive that Robert-Houdin presented the elec- trical clock, because T. Bolin, of Moscow, visited Paris and bought the trick from Voisin, the French manu- facturer of conjuring apparatus. The trick which Robert- Houdin presented, according to his claims, was with the clock hanging in midair to prove that it was not electri- cally connected, but the truth of the matter is that the strings which held the clock suspended in midair con- cealed the wires through which his electrical current ran. In my library of old conjuring books the thread meth- od is ably described by Hofrath von Eckartshausen, mentioned earlier in this chapter. In fact in the pictorial appendix of this work he gives this trick prominence by mi- nutely illustrating the same. He makes use of two hands, and to make the trick infallible he explains that the best way would be to use two glass disks, have them held together by a brass rim, and your threads will work with absolute certainty. The spectators imagine that they are seeing only one glass clock. Johann Conrad Gutle, the well-known delver after secrets of natural magic, also explains several cabalistic clock tricks in his book published in 1802. [ 163] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,182 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 182 | THE CABALISTIC CLOCK described, is credited as having been the invention of Johann Nep. Hofzinser. In an advertisement, published in the London Post of May 23d, 1778, included in my collection, this announce- ment, among others of much interest, will be found: "PART II.-Breslaw will exhibit many of his newly invented deceptions with a grand apparatus and experi- Katterfelto, the bombastic conjurer, who is famous for having sold sulphur matches in 1784, before the Lucifer match is supposed to have been discovered. Reproduced from a rare copy of "The European Magazine," dated June, 1783, now in the Harry Houdini Collection. ments and particularly the Magic Clock, Sympathetic Bell, and Pyramidical Glasses in a manner entirely new." In 1781, while showing at Greenwood's Rooms, Hay- market, London, Breslaw heavily advertised, "Particularly an experiment on a newly invented mechanical clock [ 165] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,192 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 192 | THE CABALISTIC CLOCK described, is credited as having been the invention of Johann Nep. Hofzinser. In an advertisement, published in the London Post of May 23d, 1778, included in my collection, this announce- ment, among others of much interest, will be found: "PART II.-Breslaw will exhibit many of his newly invented deceptions with a grand apparatus and experi- Katterfelto, the bombastic conjurer, who is famous for having sold sulphur matches in 1784, before the Lucifer match is supposed to have been discovered. Reproduced from a rare copy of "The European Magazine," dated June, 1783, now in the Harry Houdini Collection. ments and particularly the Magic Clock, Sympathetic Bell, and Pyramidical Glasses in a manner entirely new." In 1781, while showing at Greenwood's Rooms, Hay- market, London, Breslaw heavily advertised, "Particularly an experiment on a newly invented mechanical clock [165] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,174 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 174 | THE CABALISTIC CLOCK or as slowly as possible, or in time to music. In fact the performer has full control of the hands-he can make them do his every bidding. The mysterious clock is a trick as old as the obedient- card trick, if not. older. It was explained according to various methods in books before Robert-Houdin's appearance on the stage. In fact, the majority of old- time conjuring books explain mysterious clocks carefully. Before electricity was introduced, magnets were em- ployed, but the earliest method was to make use of thread wound about the spindle of the clock hand, and that method is still the very best used to-day, owing to its simplicity. The clock, on being presented to the audience, may be hung or placed in the position best suited to the particular method by which it is being "worked." It shows a transparent clock face, such as you see in any jewelry shop. Some magicians utilize only one hand, which permits the easy use of electricity or magnet, while others employ two and even three hands. When more than one hand is used the hours and minutes are indicated simultaneously and, if cards are pasted on the clock face, the largest hand is used to find the chosen cards. The clock may be placed on a pedestal, in an upright position, or hung in midair on two ribbons or strings. It can be hung on a stand made expressly for the purpose, on the style of a music stand, or it can be swung in a frame. In fact, as stated before, it is usually placed so as to facilitate the method of working. When the cabalistic clock is taken off the hook or the stand on which it is placed, and handed to one of the spectators to hold, the latter places the hand on the pin [ 55] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,178 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 178 | THE CABALISTIC CLOCK purpose, he grasped the dial at the bottom, causing the number 6 instead of I2 to be on top. When the hand started to turn, of course it would have stopped at the Great WONDERS WONDERS! WONDERS! WON- DERS! and WONDERS! are new to be feen in a ve y warm Room, at No. 22, Piccadilly, This and every day this week, from eleven in the mor ing ill four in the after- noon, and precifely at feven clock, every cvening this week, M R. KATTERFELTO will fhow a variery of new furpriling Experiments in Natural and Expe- rimental Philofopby and Math.matics, and his whole regular Courfe of Philofophical L Qures are deliver-d in Twelve différent times, a different Lecture and Experiment every day, and every evening at 7 o'clock. His various Experi. ments are asfollow, vlz. PHILOSOPHICAL, PNEUMATIC, MATHEMATICAL, HYDRAULIC, OPTICAL, HYDROSTATIC, MAGNETICAL, PROETIC, ELECTRICAL, STENOGRAPHIC. PHYSICAL, BLENCICAL, CHYMICAL, CAPRIMANTIC ART. By his new-improved SOLAR MICROSCOPE, Will be feen many furprining infects in different wate:s, beer, miik, vinegar, and blood; and other curioas objeits. Mr. K A T T E R F E L Her, in Nis travels years par, int? the isc- nour to shibit with great applanse beforc the Emprofs of Ruffia, the Queen of Hangary, the King of Pruflia, Den- mark, Sweden, and Polland, and before many other Princes. And af.er his Lecture, Mr. Katterfelto will fhow ard dif- cover feveral NEW DECEPTIONS, on DICE, CARDS, SILVER and GOLD, BILLIARDS, TENNIS, BOXES, MEDALS, LETTERS, MONEY, PYRAMIDICAL GLASES WATCHES; CASKETS, MECHANICAL CLOCKS Admittance, front feats 3s. fecond feats 23. back frats 19. for fervants only. Newspaper clipping of 1782, showing that Katterfelto used the cabalistic clock. From the Harry Houdini Collection. wrong number. I managed to escape humiliation by pretending I was afraid he would break the clock by letting it fall, so took it away from him, holding it myself. II [ 161 | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,176 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 176 | THE CABALISTIC CLOCK reliable dealer of conjuring apparatus, in almost any part of the world. For a clock worked by counterweight the hand of thin brass is prepared in the centre, where there is a weight of peculiar shape which has at the thin or tapering end a small pin. This pin is fixed permanently to the weight and can be revolved about the small plate on which it is riveted. Through this plate there is a hole, exactly in the centre. This hand has all this covered with a brass cap, and, to make the arrow point to any given number, you simply move the weight with your thumb. The pin clicks and allows you to feel it as it moves from one hole to another. With very little practice you can move this weight, while in the act of handing it to some one to place it on the centre of the clock face; and when spun, the weight, of its own accord, will land on the bottom, causing the hand to point where it is forced by the law of gravity. The plate on which the weight is fastened is grooved or milled, so that it answers to the slightest movement of your thumb. When the clock is on the stage and the hand moves simply by the command of the performer or audience, it is manipulated by an assistant behind the scenes, either by the aid of electricity or by an endless thread which is wrapped about the spindle and runs through the two ribbons or strings that hold the clock in midair. Some conjurers work the clock so arranged as to make a com- bination trick; first by having it worked by the concealed confederate; then, taking the clock off the stand and bringing it down in the midst of the audience. But for this trick you can use only one hand. [ 159 ] 1 | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,276 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 276 | THE DISAPPEARING HANDKERCHIEF "The King then walked quickly to the door, whence he looked in the direction of the orange-tree, to assure him- self that the guards were at their post; when this was done, he began to smile and shrug his shoulders. "Ah! M. Robert-Houdin,' he said, somewhat ironi- cally, 'I much fear for the virtue of your magic staff.' Then he added, as he returned to the end of the room, where several servants. were standing, "Tell William to open immediately the last chest at the end of the avenue, and bring me carefully what he finds there-if he does find anything.' "William soon proceeded to the orange-tree, and, though much astonished at the orders given him, he began to carry them out. "He carefully removed one of the sides of the chest, thrust his hand in, and almost touched the roots of the tree before he found anything. All at once he uttered a cry of surprise as he drew out a small iron coffer caten by the rust. "This curious find, after having been cleaned from the mould, was brought in and placed on a small ottoman by the King's side. "Well, M. Robert-Houdin,' Louis Philippe said to me, with a movement of impatient curiosity, 'here is a box; am I to conclude it contains the handkerchiefs? "Yes, Sire,' I replied with assurance, 'and they have been there, too, for a long period.' "How can that be? The handkerchiefs were lent you scarce a quarter of an hour ago. "I cannot deny it, Sire; but what would my magic powers avail me if I could not perform incomprehensible [ 247 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,288 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 288 | THE DISAPPEARING HANDKERCHIEF The method of performing the trick was so familiar to conjurers of Robert-Houdin's time and earlier that Henry Evans Evanion was able to describe it to me from actual witnessings. Acting on his explanation, on my return to America I offered the trick, without any great Frontispiece from Ingleby's book, "Whole Art of Legerdemain," said to be an excellent likeness of the conjurer-author. From the Harry Houdini Collection. amount of preparation and without a hitch, at a matinée entertainment given by a secret organization. I will describe precisely how this was done, and allow my readers to judge of the similarity of the trick offered years ago by [259] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,290 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 290 | THE DISAPPEARING HANDKERCHIEF or cover. To all in- tents and purposes, I did not pass from the view of the audience, for fully half of my 4 body was on the stage, but as my assistant handed me a new glass cover, he deftly ex- tracted the real hand- PORTICO ROOMS, NEWINGTON, BOLD-ST. kerchiefs from under THE ARRIVAL OF my vest. Then, while MONS. LE SUCKE, THE GREAT I returned to the stage with my patter and MAGICIAN ! description of the flight EMPEROR OF ALL WIZARDS, the handkerchiefs were was WILL MANE mus FIBAT EN THIS TOWN, On Tuesday, June 18, 1844, about to make, my as- AND OPEN HIS CRAND 0 sistant, with the hand- - SPLENDED PAINTINGS A TABLES COVERED WITH CRISSON VELVET. kerchiefs in his pocket, - - Arma the the vith af - Transparent Globular lampa, walked unnoticed from ly ite MITHOLOGY TRANS the door, and, once out - SECRET DA EETS, THE WALKING CARD of sight, ran madly to FLIGHT OF COINS, MAG10 FLIGHT, -- - LADY'S GLOVE REAIORED. Pasamera 1908, - - - the Subway station. AN BINET. MAGIC NALIEDESCOPE THE UNLMONY THE CUBES OF CABRIA, There he boarded an - esca - or - TAPER MIRACULOUS FEAST, express and reached LAAE AN TLVING WATCE VOLCANIA'S CHICLETS Zamiel's project, BOTTLE OF ASMODEOUS, on the boat landing just FIERY COLUMN, de THE ERIAL CAND DE TRI - MISTIC ECCALIOBIOK in time to catch the 4- - GOLDEN - FLIGNT or BERCURV, FLORA'S GIFT, DE - o'clock boat. At the CARDIOLOGIOMANIA, 07 CHARHED PAQUET, and THE - Statue, my brother and Gobirt of - WITCI'S PLUTO'S BOTTLE, a tinsmith were wait- Reproduction of a rare Buck handbill, dated ing for him. The 1844. From the Harry Houdini Collection. [261] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,278 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 278 | THE DISAPPEARING HANDKERCHIEF replied with a smile; 'but that is impossible, and I must, therefore, ask for proofs of your assertion.' "If your Majesty will be kind enough to open this casket they will be supplied. " 'Certainly; but I shall require a key for that.' "It only depends on yourself, Sire, to have one. Deign to remove it from the neck of this turtle dove, which has just brought it to you.' "Louis Philippe unfastened a ribbon that held a small Tusty key with which he hastened to unlock the coffer. The first thing that caught the King's eye was a parch- ment, on which he read the following statements: "This day, the sixth of June, 1786, this iron box, containing six handkerchiefs, was placed among the roots of an orange tree by me, Balsamo, Count of Cagliostro, to serve in performing an act of magic which will be exe- cuted on the same day sixty years hence before Louis Philippe of Orléans and his family.' "There is, decidedly, witchcraft about this,' the King said, more and more amazed. 'Nothing is wanting, for the seal and signature of the celebrated sorcerer are placed at the foot of this statement, which, Heaven pardon mc, smells strongly of sulphur.' "At this jest the audience began to laugh. "'But,' the King added, taking out of the box a carefully sealed packet, 'can the handkerchiefs, by possibility, be in this? "'Indeed, Sire, they are; but, before opening the parcel, I would request your Majesty to notice that it, also, bears the impression of Cagliostro's seal.' "This seal, once rendered so famous by being placed [ 249] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,284 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 284 | THE DISAPPEARING HANDKERCHIEF sented by a number of conjurers TO before Robert-Houdin was known Charitable. in the world of magic. Robert- CATHERINE Houdin simply employed the trick Langan familiar to both his predecessors - to le for 1 coming: se - and contemporaries and redressed and destitute - le of the - of moking - Sie - - - ether astag bee in - the - it to tickle the fancy of his royal - - at the of who - Interest le bee - . BENEFIT at the of patron. WODDS vea In England this trick was known Duke of York Tavern CHALRS-STHEET, among old conjurers as "The Ne ON MONDAY, Plus Ultra of the Cabalistic Art." Tuonday and Wednesday Kreaing, the 25th, 28th and 27th July, 1831, WHEN THE CREEBRATED MR. In 1826 one M. Félix Testot, MARRIOT who claimed to be a compatriot of Robert-Houdin, presented the RECREATIVE PHILOSOPHY, MagicalIllusions trick in the British provinces, and Melamorphesis and Transformations, Nes Ne - by one of his bills I am reproducing Young SPRI.VG. The Part will - New and because it shows that the trick he Dead Bird resiored lo Life! The Postama. - The Magie Methed of Printing, withert the - of lok or Pres. offered the provincial Britons and THE BOTTLE; Or, MIRACULOUS NOTE. Whish will, at retera asy Caré - a - of the Andlesso. the trick which Robert-Houdin A New Method of Coining Money, oa THE WAY TO GET RICH: A Bunhei of Rice - . of Coffee. - eschnage their Pus. offered the royal family at St. - at the word of com- Me. x. - - ofher Ponta, - the Autionce - - Daneing and Speaking Moucy ! I Cloud were identical. It also Which - the - Pless Mests and the of asy - othes Nr. M. - introduse - proves that London had seen the The Cabalistic Art. Ne. trick; and what London had seen, - Paris, including Robert-Houdin, the - eseveyed . - The of had heard of. SIG. MARRIOTT wis perfora ALBS A programme used by "The Treble Scale of Glassee. The Posformance - - cach Krening as Soven Celebrated Mr. Marriot, Professor ADMISSION TWO SHILLINGS. of Recreative Philosophy," in Marriot programme fea- turing "Cabalistic A… | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,286 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 286 | THE DISAPPEARING HANDKERCHIEF shoulder of mutton, which, on being cut, would yield up a card previously drawn by some spectator. He thus de- scribes his trick in his book "Whole Art of Legerde- main," published in London in 1815: "TRICK FOUR. "To cut out of a Shoulder of Mutton a Card which one Only known portrait of the clever English conjurer, Buck. From an engraving in the Harry Houdini Collection. of the Company had previously drawn out of the Pack. " Having desired a person to draw a Card out of several which you hold to him, and to remember it, which he promises to do, you tell him it shall be in a shoulder of mutton which you will send for. " "Accordingly you desire a servant to go to the butch- er's and bring one. When brought, it is examined, 17 [ 257] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,292 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 292 | THE DISAPPEARING HANDKERCHIEF time to act, and away we went, leaving the lodge to its feast. So much time had been lost in selecting the com- mittee that we reached the wharf just in time to catch the 5 o'clock boat. On landing I received a prearranged signal from my assistants that all was well, and as I watched my committee dash up the stairs I knew that their quest would be rewarded. When the committee and the writer returned to the lodge-room, a mechanic was required to pry open the box. There lay the identical handkerchiefs furnished by my spectators, who could hardly believe their eyes. On other occasions I have asked my audience to select a spokesman, who in a loud voice would announce the point at which the handkerchiefs would be found, and then my man, waiting just outside the door, would mount his bicycle and pedal like mad for the hiding-place, naturally outstripping any committee appointed. But the first method, that of selecting the place beforehand and ha ving all arrangements made, even to the three prepared cards, is safest and is probably the one used by Robert- Houdin to deceive the French monarch. I doubt if he even had three different cards prepared, as he claims. I believe he exaggerated his feat, for that would have been taking long chances. For this trick I claim not an iota of originality. I simply fitted it to the time, the place, and the audience, and that I believe is all Robert-Houdin did when he "invented" the disappearing handkerchief trick for the amusement of his sovereign. [ 263 ) | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,280 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 280 | THE DISAPPEARING HANDKERCHIEF tion and cleverly planned, ofttimes brilliantly executed crimes. He fled Palermo after forging theatre tickets and a will, and duping a goldsmith out of sixty pieces of Reproduction of a rare portrait of Seraphinia Feliciani, Comtesse de Caglios- tro, wrongfully called Lorenzo in the Encyclopaedia Britannica. From the Harry Houdini Collection. gold. At Messina he fell in with an alchemist named Althotas, a man of some learning who spoke a variety of [251] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,167 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 167 | THE GREAT MAGICIAN, From the Munic Holl, Shefield, Commercial Rooma, Leeds, and the Exchange Rooma, Monchusier, - perform his Myatic Wonders, for . Short Time only, I N THE VICTORIA ROOMS, HULL. MR. J. H. ANDERSON, THE GREAT CALEDONIAN MAGICIAN: Desirous of gratifying the Ladies and Gentlemes of Hull, and ite Vicinity, Has the to announce bie intention of Performing for A SHORT TIME QNLY, his MYSTIC WONDERS! he hupes the anqualified approbation which was beatowed on hie exertions at Livergeol for - seccessive nighta, Manchanter for eighty signts, Leeda for fifty nights, Sheffleld furty nighta, Ediabungh une hundred and three aighia, Glangew alsty sighta, twenty sighta, will ensure him the patromage of the Nobility, Gentry, and Public of Hull. Mr. J. H. ANDERSON las had the distiaguiabed honnur of performing before his late Majesty, at Windant Castle, and belove his Majeuty Geo. IV., le the Parilion at Brighton: and subsequeatly received letterá by their Majesties' command, ataling the Royal approval of each performance tugether with others from the Marquis of Westminater, the Eari of Bradford, the of the lat Life Guards, the Buke of Gordon, and Sir Walter From the many teatimuniala forwarded to Mr.J. H. A. he submits the following from Lord Panmure and atherso Bascupi Cama, March 24th, 1937. Sir,-Our parly hege, last sight, witscieed your performance with the greatest untisfaction: And I have no hesitation la aying, that you far escel any other decromancor that , ever - either at home ur abrued PANMURE" - To Mr. J. H. September let, 1837. Mr. J. H. Andersum highly gratified the party before whom be performed his Necromantic Feats, and Magical Exploits He is the mast acpomplished Professor of the Art of Magie we ever - and beg lu exprese our high admiration of hie talenta, and thank him for bia per- formance at Hokelyy. J. HL MORRET, Exq. GEORGE CLIFFORD, Eqg. GEORGE MANBY, Coldatresm Guards ON MONDAY EVENINC, APRIL 30, 1838, & EVERY EVENINC DURING THE WEEK. The Magician's Entertainmente will at Eight e'clock proc… | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,216 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 216 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE "DOBLER-ST. JAMES THEATRE.-Among the illusions that more particularly struck our fancy was one entitled "The Travelling Bottle,' where Herr Döbler, filling a common bottle with water, transformed this water into a collection of wines of all countries, amicably assembled Döblers Strauschen und gervidmet. 2ins to ging's mil anbern Stanfe... ou Annã, Die ber gethan, Nech in Wintee, - ate Sife accce aberneg bie méefat Gunt, ward fatt Davan- mis Am Jänben, girrig mit Den Mingen. mit bem Spiegef, Fingen Re Die Samen anf. und mit der Flaghs Wein. Qiefe Kafges Nicmans Grach bas biegef 9u Des. Singe Sanf. yes es Acia. Sem was ensfeeret Teinen Rufym ou nacf, Jashm. fonber gaft. gevif uns jurüch, Sat man nene Segefycet Wenn Die wea bu es Die keine mit Magiers Qatich. ben Samber gn Tann mafangen wir bich wisbes, hore, But was wieber vell, Lafen biefj auch nieft mefje aup, in Bie on ans las ;bemp fifjun vöffig tell.' Sefellef hier fich in Reife anf So in Theatey. Döbler's farewell programme in verse, used when he played his last engage- ment in the Josephstadter Theatre, Vienna. Original given by Döbler per- sonally to Henry Evanion; now in the Harry Houdini Collection. [ 189] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,206 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 206 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE Again, this bottle can be genuine, with no loose bottom at all, and a small article can be inserted, but this makes a great deal of trouble, and the effect is not greatly in- - creased. In doing the trick thus, I was always com- pelled to have an optician cut the bottom from the bottle, and then at times even he would break it. To explain further how the article is "loaded" into the bottle, the performer borrows several articles, for example a ring and two watches. He will place the ring and watches into a funnel at the end of a large horse- pistol, and shoot them at the target. The two watches appear on the target or in a frame or any place that he may choose. In obtaining the articles, he may have wrapped them up in a handkerchief which he has hidden in the front of his vest. Alexander Herrmann was excep- tionally clever in making this exchange, his iron nerve and perpetual smile being great aids in the trick. The performer now places the duplicate handkerchief on the table in full view of the audience, and walks to another table for a gun. While reaching for this gun, he places the criginal articles which he borrowed behind his table on a servante, so that his hidden assistant may reach for them, place the two watches on the "turn-about target," tie the ring on the neck of the guinea-pig, shove him into the bottle, and insert the false bottom. The trick is then ready in its entirety. The magician calls for something to use as a target, and the assistant responds with the revolving target or frame. When the conjurer shoots, the two watches appear on the target or in the frame. This part of the trick is accomplished by having the centre of the [179] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,226 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 226 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE London he also appeared at the Egyptian Hall. He published his own magazine, L' Almanach d'Cagliostro, an illustrated periodical which was quite pretentious. Robin presented all the tricks and automata that Robert-Houdin claimed as his original inventions, and in the famous controversy, Robert-Houdin came out second best. Robin proved that he had used the bottle trick before Robert-Houdin did, by showing back numbers of his magazine, whose illustrations pictured Robin perform- ing the trick at his theatre in Milan, Italy, July 6th, 1844, or three years before Robert-Houdin presented it in Paris. Robin, however, never wrote an autobiography nor any exhaustive work dealing with the history of magic, while Robert-Houdin did. The latter set forth his claims over other magicians so skilfully that for more than half a century the intelligent and thoughtful reading public has been deceived and has accepted his statements as authoritative. According to an article published in L'Illusionniste, scientists to this day, in explaining the law of physics as operated by the use of air-holes in the inexhaustible bottle, refer to it as the "Robert-Houdin bottle," when in reality the honor of its invention belongs to some obscure mechanic or magician whose name must remain forever unsung by writers on magic. [ 199 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,210 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 210 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE Mr. Falck opened at the Queen's Bazaar, Oxford Street, London, November 8th, 1835. Before opening, however, he gave a private performance for the press, and received quite a number of notices. A half-column clipping in my collection, dated November 4th, 1835, NATURAL MAGIC! MCR. FALCK, Of Konigaberg, Pupil of the celebrated Chevalier Pinetty, has just arrived in England, and will exhibit his surprising deceptions, NOW UNRIVALLED IN NATURAL MAGIC, AT THE Queen's Bazaar, Oxford Street. AMONG THE NUMEROUS FEATS EXHIBITED WILL BE FOUND THE FOLLOWING:- The Enchanted Bread-The Walking Rice-Paying a Tavera Keeper-The Enchanted Egg-The Calculation of Money-The Lost Ring-The Exchange of Wine-The Enchanted Dice-The Card in the Pocket-The Present, or Gift of Flora-The Wine and Dessert-besides Surprising Deceptions with Cards, &c. &c. The Performance to begin daily and at Three till half-past Four. ADMITTANCE ONE SHILLING-CHILDREN SIXPENCE. Geo. Nichole, Printer, Earl's Court, Cranbourn Street, Soho. 10 - Poster used by Falck of Koenigsberg in 1835, featuring the trick of exchange of wine. From the Harry Houdini Collection. which I think is cut from The Chronicle or The Globe, the trick among other effects like "Flora's ift," "The Card in the Pocket," etc., and adds that the "exchange of wine was so that if once in Mr. Falck's Company, we should not wish to exchange it, for he poured [r83] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,222 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 222 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE New York, however. In December, 1848, and January, 1849, he played at the same theatre, and announced that he had just concluded a successful engagement at the Grand Theatre Tacon, Havana, Cuba. Although Macallister claims to have invented "The Inexhaustible Bottle" trick, it is more likely that, having been connected so long with Phillippe, he knew the secret several years before Robert-Houdin appeared in public. But as Macallister also claimed to have invented the peacock and the harlequin automata, both of which are recognized as the inventions of his predecessors, his claim cannot be given serious consideration. He advertised to produce twenty-two kinds of liquors from one bottle, and therefore he must have utilized the essence glasses in connection with the bottle. What must have been Robert-Houdin's feeling when, on arriving in London in 1848, he found another magician, Compars Herrmann, heavily advertised at the Théâtre Royal, and already offering each and every trick included by the Frenchman in his répertoire. Even the much- vaunted bottle was in Herrmann's list of tricks. No one seems able to tell where Compars Herrmann obtained the tricks he used, but he must be given credit for never advertising them as his own inventions. His record in this respect was clean throughout his life as a mysterious entertainer. The programme presented by Herrmann at the Théâtre Royal during Robert-Houdin's opening week at the St. James Theatre is herewith reproduced. Herrmann re- mained some time in London, playing at the Adelphia, then at the Royal Princess, and finally at the Surrey r 1 | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,208 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 208 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE a view of "the Barrel that plays so many Liquors and is broke in pieces before the Spectators." " In 1780 Dr. Desaguliers presented in London a per- formance entitled "A Course of Experimental Philosophy wherein the Principles of Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Pneu- matics, and Optics are proved and demonstrated by more than 300 Experiments." In the course of these lectures he produced a sort of barrel, worked by holding the fingers over the air-holes. He also exposed the real source of strength of the notorious strong man of his day, John Carl von Eckeberg, who allowed horses to pull against him, permitted heavy stones to be broken on his bare chest, and who broke heavy ropes simply by stretching or straightening his knees. These lectures and exposés made Dr. Desaguliers so famous that he has been given considerable space in Sir David Brewster's "Letters on Natural Magic," pub- lished in London in 1851, in which book the various de- ceptions used by strong men are fully described. In fact the book is one that should be in every conjurer's library. The old Dutch books explain the barrel trick, and in 1803 Charles Hutton, professor of Woolwich Royal Academy, translated four books from Ozanam and Montucla, exposing quite a number of old conjuring tricks. The barrel trick will be found on page 94 of Volume II. The first use of "The Inexhaustible Bottle" by modern conjurers I found in an announcement of Herr Schmidt, a German performer, who for a time controlled the original writing and drawing figure, as will be found by reference to Chapter III., which is devoted to the his- [ 181 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,212 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 212 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE grammes used by John Henry Anderson, the Wizard of the North, in the same years. According to these programmes Phillippe and Anderson showed the bottle empty, filled it with water, and then served five different liquors. On April 30th, 1838, Anderson thus announced the trick on a programme used at Victoria Rooms, Hull: "Handkerchiefs will be borrowed from three gentle- men; the magician will load his mystic gun, in which he will place the handkerchiefs; he will fire a bottle con- taining wine, the bottle will be .broken and the handker- chiefs will appear." Programmes in my collection show that Anderson pre- sented the trick, serving various sorts of liquors, when he played London in 1840, but little attention was drawn to the wonderful bottle. In 1842 Ludwig Döbler, Germany's best-beloved magician, came to London and featured what he termed "The Travelling Bottle.' Ludwig Leopold Döbler was born in Vienna in 1801. He was the best-beloved magician who ever trod the stage. He started life as an engraver of metals, but his fancy turned to necromancy. He gave his best performances in his na- tive city. In 1841 he was touring Holland, and in a letter now in my possession, which he wrote to a director and editor in Vienna under date of March I5th, 1842, he in- forms his friend that he has sent all his baggage to London from Amsterdam, and is on a visit to Paris. He regrets that he has not all of his apparatus with him, but has given several performances, and mentions the fact that " to-morrow I am engaged to give a performance in the private parlor of Rothschild and then by the Count [ 185 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,224 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 224 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE honor of having invented this trick arose between Robert- Houdin and Henri Robin, who were contemporaries. Robin, whose right name was Dunkell, was of Holland birth and died in Paris in 1874. He was at his prime PoGA LAY-MARKET - Evening. Tharsday, April seth. - a - - Manager, ou Le Velage des Cartes: with Carts. LE BOUTELLE INEPOISABLE; THE Mereary. T Arlogala le DisMe quetre, Mariogale, the Bevil. L'Egee Magigne: The Magle Sword. WONDER OF THE WORLD: L'Tacomotage de Lose et de Soliel the Saggier et the and the - LE CADRAN MATERMATICIEN: Les Colombes Sympothetiques: The Sympethetie Devea, Le Rie Enchente The La Cafetiore de Grend Megal The Coffee Pes or the Geand Megal Le - de - Magique: The Nogle Swestenks. She Last Two Nighte! Le frelerd Serpont The la Borme Magique: The Magle Stove la - du Poimon reage, execute - bebit de ville, The math of performed in - La Some tome dus Cartes et de - blanche; Now Masions wills Thursday, Saturday, - Whise Le Billet de Solomee Note. Les the Apens sea, and ns4s. des pieces de messaire: the TRAND NEW ILLUSIONS FROW M. HERRMANN. Le SUSPENSION THEREENNE - maseva PRESTIDICITATIUR OF PRANCE, om IN - - - SOIRÉES MAGIQUE it - - - the caly cosasions he cas SUSPENSION ÉTNÉREENNE. aggear is this Seasom. LE DOUBLE VUE! zm. EEREMANN Or, Second Sight, BY was - MADAME EERRMANN. New anes Startling y WETHE VARIOUS . vasions paste . - ILLUSIONS WITH CARDS AND MAGIE MADE. HERRMANN AND , - - - - ber gevere os BECOND SIGHT: II IMITATION OF VABIOUS BIRDS, ar HEREMANE. INTI-MAGNETISM asalle a Boxes &u. PK Se. Galleries 2s. a ls. Second Price as N ine o'cloek. ages, any that may be Deses opee Malf-past Seven: the Performance Eight . se Plases 1 A Herrmann programme dated April, 1848, showing that Herrmann pre- sented the inexhaustible bottle two months before Robert-Houdin appeared in London. [ 197 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,214 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 214 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE intaliset, minister of the King's mansions." He also orms his friend that he expects to visit Paris the next son and build his own theatre. He states a fact most resting to all magicians, namely, that he has rented (lay Drive udwig Döbler in his prime, taken about 1839. The original of this rare re was discovered by the author in a small print shop in Moscow, Russia. now a part of his Collection. St. James Theatre in London for two thousand ICS ($400) a night, or more than $2,400 rent for one k. Döbler drew such big audiences and made so ch money that he refused to give private perfomances, [187] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,218 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 218 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE together in one receptacle, and he fills out first a glass of sherry, then one of port, then one of champagne, and so on." The critic then describes how the bottle was broken, and the borrowed handkerchief was found inside the bottle. Probably because of the prominence which Herr Dö- et. James's Theatre, King St, LAST NIGHT BUT FOUR OF HERR DOBLER'S TUEBRAY, JULY 5, (on thero will - NO SATURDAY, JULY 9. LOUDS NATURAL MAGIC - WALL shortty ANO NUMEROUN HEW EXPERIMENTS INTRODUGED - - - - - - A de - ed. . - Walle - Gallery - - as. qui Döbler programme with illustrations of his tricks, used during his engagement at the St. James Theatre, London. From the Harry Houdini Collection. bler gave to this trick it attracted more attention when Anderson presented it during his London run of 1843. He announced it as "Watervs. Wine, or Changing Water [ 191 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,204 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 204 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE tricks, and twenty London papers bear mute testimony to this fact. In a complete collection of press clippings regarding his first London appearance, only four of the London papers mention the trick. The Times, the great conservative English paper, in reviewing Robert-Houdin's performance in its issue of May 3d, 1847, ignored the trick entirely. The four London papers which made mention of the bottle trick, and then only in a passing comment, were The Chronicle, The Globe, The Lady's Newspaper, and The Court Journal. Any one acquainted with the two last-named periodicals will know that they rarely reach the hands of the humble artisans in Man- chester. Punch, London's great comic paper, gave the trick some space, however. The trick of pouring several sorts of liquors from the same bottle has been presented in various forms and under different names. To prove the futility of Robert- Houdin's claims I will explain the mystery of this trick, which is of an interesting nature. To all intents and purposes the bottle used looks like glass; but it is invariably made of tin, heavily japanned. Ranged around the central space, which is free from deception, are five compartments, each tapering to a narrow-mouthed tube which terminates about an inch or an inch and a half from within the neck of the bottle. A small pinhole is drilled through the outer surface of the bottle into each compartment, the holes being so placed that when the bottle is grasped with the hand in the ordin- ary way, the performer covers all but one of the pinholes with his fingers and thumb. The centre section is left empty, but the other compartments are filled with a fun- 12 177] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,220 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 220 | THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE viously been deposited under lock and key at a consider- able distance." Macallister, the Scotch brick-mason, who became the pupil and assistant of Phillippe, as described in the chapter on "The Pastry Cook of the Palais Royal," also Andrew Macallister as he appeared during his engagement in the United States. From the Harry Houdini Collection. claimed the bottle trick as his invention. I have been unable to obtain any of the early programmes used by Macallister, but I am reproducing the one he utilized during his engagement at the Bowery Theatre, New York City, in 1852. This was not his first appearance in 13 [ 193 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,162 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 162 | THE OBEDIENT CARDS Astley, the circus man, and Hooper's "Recreations," in four volumes, published in 1784, expose the same trick. As to magicians who performed the trick, their names are legion, and only a few of the most prominent conjurers will be mentioned in this connection. The man who obtained the best effects with this trick was John Henry Anderson, who startled the world of magic and amusements by his audacity, in 1836, nine J. H. Anderson's birth place as drawn by him from memory. The follow- ing is written under the sketch in his own handwriting: A rough sketch of the farm house called ' Red Stanes,' on the estate of Craigmyle, Parish of Kincardine O'Neil, Aberdeenshire. The house was built by my grandfather, John Robertson, in the year 1796, and in it I was born on the 15th day of July, 1814. John Henry Anderson." Photographed from the original now in the possession of Mrs. Leona A. Anderson, by the author. years before Robert-Houdin trod the stage as a pro- fessional entertainer. Anderson was born in Kincardine, Scotland, in 1814, and started his professional career as an actor. He must have been a very poor one, too, for he states that he was once complimented by a manager for having brought bad acting to the height of perfection. Anderson was first known as the Caledonian magician, then assumed the title of the Wizard of the North, which 10 [ 145 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,170 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 170 | THE OBEDIENT CARDS MR. BARNARDO EAGLE, THE ROYAL WIZARD OF THE SOUTH. Frontispiece from Eagle's book, in which he exposes Anderson's gun de- usion. Said by Henry Evanion, who knew Eagle, to be a fine likeness. rom the Harry Houdini Collection. | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,166 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 166 | THE OBEDIENT CARDS city of the world, and, when so inclined, built his own theatres. He sold books on magic during his own per- formances, and would sell any trick he presented for a nominal sum. His most unique advertising dodge was to offer $500 in gold as prizes for the best conundrums written by spectators during his performances. To make this scheme more effective, he carried with him his own printing-press and set it up back of the scenes. While the performance was under way, the conundrums handed in by the spectators were printed, and, after the performance, any one might buy a sheet of the questions and puns at the door. As every one naturally wanted to see his conundrum in print, Anderson sold millions of these bits of paper. In 1852, while playing at Metropolitan Hall, New York City, he advertised his conundrum con- test and sold his book of tricks, etc., and such notables as Jenny Lind and General Kossuth entered conundrums. He was among the first performers to expose the Daven- port Brothers, whose spiritualistic tricks and rope-tying had astonished America. Directly on witnessing a per- formance and solving their methods, Anderson hurried back to England and exposed the tricks. To sum up his history, he stands unique in the annals of magic as a doer of daring things. He rushed into print on the slightest pretext, was a hard fighter with his rivals and aired his quarrels in the press, and he was a game loser when trouble came his way. Not a brilliant actor or performer, he yet had the gift of securing excellent effects in his mise en scènc. He made and lost several fortunes, generally recouping as quickly as he lost. He was burned out several times, the most notable fire being [149] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,164 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 164 | THE OBEDIENT CARDS he said was bestowed on him by Sir Walter Scott. Thomas Frost belittles this statement, on the grounds that Scott was stricken with paralysis in 1830. However, Anderson became famous in 1829, so he should be given the benefit of the doubt. He was the greatest advertiser that the VICTORIA HOOMS, HULL LAST WEEE or GREAT MAGICIAN PERFORI DE HULL. REDUOTION OF PRICES fremt Sende of the Balcom, Bach Ditte, 1..j Gallery Sixpence caly The Avening, Friday, May Saterday, 19th; Menday, Sless Tuesday, Théreday, and Friday, will be pedivively the LAST - perform la Hell. 1838 on or TIIS ABOVE EVENINGS Naw TSTIC WONDERS! SPLENDID CHANGES! NECROMANCY: ART! WEITE ART! WYSTERY AND MACIC! UNEQUALLED, UNPARALLELED! so COME & SEE. TH . LAST WEEKS et Eight-pr heving claims agamet J. - these Dille ar Koscas Haows, 34, Very rare poster of 1838 in which John Henry Anderson is billed as "The Great Magician.' From the Ilarry Houdini Collection. world of magic has ever known, and he left nothing undone that might boom attendance at his performances. He started newspapers, gave masked balls, and donated thousands of dollars to charities. He was known in every [147] 1 | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,160 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 160 | THE OBEDIENT CARDS of French encyclopaedias described the trick and exposed it according to one method or another, and Robert-Houdin admits having been a great reader of encyclopaedias. The trick first appears in print in various editions of "Hocus Pocus," twenty in all, starting with 1635. The majority contain feats with cards, showing how to bring them up or out of a pack with a black thread, a hair spring, or an elastic. In 1772 the rising-card trick was shown in Guyot's "Physical and Mathematical Recreations," also in the Dutch or Holland translations of the same work. In 179I it was minutely explained by Hofrath von Eck- artshausen, who wrote five different books on the sub- ject of magic. The fourth, being devoted principally to the art of the conjurer, was entitled "Die Gauckel- tasche, oder vollständiger Unterricht in Taschenspieler u. S. w.," which translated means "The Conjurer's Pocket or Thorough Instructions in the Art of Conjuring." The title was due to the fact that in olden days conjurers worked with the aid of a large outside pocket. The five books, published under the general title of "Aufschlüsse zur Magie," bear date of Munich, Germany. On page 138 of the third edition of Gale's "Cabinet of Knowledge," published in London in 1800, will be found a description of the rising-card trick as donc with pin and thread, and the same book shows how it is saccomplished with wax and a hair. This book seems to have been compiled from Philip Breslaw's work on magic, "The Last Legacy," published in r782. Benton, who published the English edi- tion of Decremps' famous work on magic, exposing Pinetti's répertoire, also described the trick. "Natural Magic," by [ 143 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,172 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 172 | THE OBEDIENT CARDS royalty, Anderson had another bill printed, showing Eagle playing before the King at the Ascot race-track, and an assistant passing the hat in mountebank fashion. In revenge, Eagle had a book published, in which he exposed Anderson's best drawing trick, The Gun Delusion, in which the magician allowed any one from the audience "BARNEY" ALIAS THE IMPOSTOR WIZARD OSTAINING ROYAL PATRONAGE on ASCOT HEATH RACE COURSE. Window poster issued by Anderson to belittle his imitator "Barney" Eagle and show how the latter secured royal patronage. From the Harry Houdini Collection. to shoot a gun at him using marked bullets. These bullets were caught in his mouth or on the point of a knife. This trick became as common as the obedient- card trick. In the face of such overwhelming evidence, Robert- Houdin's claim to having invented the obedient-card [x55] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,90 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 90 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK Berlin and Hamburg. Next he went back to his native land, Italy, but later returned to Germany for a second engagement. In 1789 he appeared in Russia and never I.I.PINETTI willidal de merdi profes et demonstrateus de philoso, chevalier de Cordre de pt argenieur glographe it Constiller der france prince de hotatein Orlandle preidar the and The only authentic portrait of Pinetti in existence, the only known copy extant being in the Harry Houdini Collection. left that country. There he married a Russian girl, daughter of a carriage manufacturer. They had two children. Pinetti would have left enormous wealth, but [73] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,94 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 94 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK Perhaps the best pen pictures of Pinetti and his methods are furnished by E. G. Robertson in his "Memoirs." Robertson was a contemporary of Pinetti, and, like him, a pioneer in ballooning. His "Memoirs," written in the French language, were published in 1831. The following extracts from this interesting book tell much of Pinetti's life in Russia and of his professional history as tradi- tion and actual acquaintance had presented it to M. Robertson: 'Pinetti had travelled a great deal and for a long time had enjoyed a great European reputation. He had done everything to attain it. There was never a man that carried further the art of the 'charlatisme.' When he arrived in a town where he intended to give a show, he took good care to prepare his public by speeches, which would keep it in suspense. In St. Petersburg great and incredible examples of mystification and of prestidigi- tation were told about him. "One day he went to a barber-shop to get shaved, sat down in the chair, had the towel tied around his neck, and laid his head back ready for the lather. The barber left him in this position to get hot water, and when he returned, guided by force of habit, he applied the lather where the chin should be, but he found feet, arms, hands, and body in a coat, but no head! Such lamentations! No more head! What could it mean? He opened the door, and, frightened to death, ran away. Pinetti then went to the window and called the barber back. He had put his head in his coat in such a clever way, covering it with his handkerchief, that the surprise and the fright of the barber were quite natural. Of course this barber { 77 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,76 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 76 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK While the elder son, Edward, was made executor and continued his father's trade in a quiet, conservative fashion, the younger son struck out along new lines and The Wet died the Mr. - for bis by max FAWKES The best portrait of Isaac Fawkes in existence. The original, now in the Harry Houdíni Collection, is supposed so have been engraved by Sutton Nichols. It is said that there is only one more of these engravings extant. became even more famous as an inventor than his brill- iant father had been. [ 59 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,84 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 84 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK by Pinchbeck the elder, for Fawkes, may have been bequeathed by the latter to his son, but, in 1732, Pinch- beck the elder and Fawkes the younger were in a booth together, and Pinchbeck was advertised as doing "the dexterity of hand" performances. After Christopher As FAWKES, Great Theatrical Booth, In Weft Smithfield, faceing the White Hart Alt- konfe near Cow-lane End, D URING the fhort Time of Bartholomew- Fair, which liegins out Monday next, the 23d Triftant, and ends the Thorfday following, the Publick will be di- verted with the fediniving Entertainments, which have gain'd fuch great Applanfe, viz. Firit, Fawkes's ducomparable Dexteriry of Hand, who perforins feveral forpriling Tricks entirely new and very curions. Secondiy, The amazing Mulical Clock, witli two curious Miving Pictures. Thirdiy, The famous yourg Pofore-Mafter, who vauls the flack Rope to the Admiration of all that have fech him, and far exceeds any riung of the Kind in Enrope: Fourthly, The Temiple of Aris, wbich is the fineft Piece of Workmanibip in the World, the Machmery confifting of valt Variery of Moving Figtires, and many other inimi- table Curioliries. Fiftlily, That fine Piece of Machinery, the Artificial View of the World, wherelo are Hiww Variery of duffercar Profpecis; parricniarly the chree following, viz. . of Windfor Caltle, wich a View of the River of Tliames, 2. The City of Grand Cairo da Egypt. 3. A Proficet of the Town, Fort and Bay of Gibraltar, N. B. To begia every Day at Ten in the Moruing and End at Ten at Niglio Aus 16 9736 Clipping from the London Post, August 16th, 1736, when young Fawkes was playing alone. From the Harry Houdini Collection. Pinchbeck, Sr., died, young Fawkes started out on his own account. In I746, according to an advertisement in my collection, a Fawkes and a Pinchbeck were together again, so the son of Pinchbeck must have joined the younger Fawkes for exhibition purposes. The accom- panying clippings from contemporary publications trace the history of young Fawkes, and prove… | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,92 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 92 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK ciliate his contemporaries, either magicians or writers on magic. He issued one book, whose title-page reads: "Amusements Physiques et Differentes Expériences Di- vertissements, Composées et Executées, tant a Paris que dans les diverses Courts de l'Europe. Par M. Joseph Pinetti de Willedal, Romain, Chevalier de l'Ordre Mérite de Saint-Phillipe, Professeur de Mathématiques et de Physiques, Protégé par toute la Maison Royale de France, Pensionnaire de la Cour de Prusse, etc., 1785.' The work, however, was not a clear and lucid explana- tion of his methods and tricks. In fact some of his con- temporaries claimed that he deliberately misrepresented his methods of performing tricks. Among these writers was Henri Decremps, a brilliant professor of mathematics and physics in Paris, who proceeded to expose all of Pinetti's tricks in the book referred to in the preceding chapter, "La Magie Blanche Dévoilée." This work was in five volumes and was so popular in its day that it was translated into nearly every modern language. The fol- lowing explanation of the trick is taken from page 56 of the English translation, entitled "The Conjurer Unmasked : "The branches of the tree may be made of tin or paper, so as to be hollow from one end to the other in order that the air which enters at the bottom may find its exit at the top of the branch. These branches are so adjusted that at intervals there appear twigs made from brass wire, but the whole so decorated with leaves made from parchment that the ensemble closely resembles nature. "The end of each branch is dilated to contain small pieces of gummed silk or very fine gold-beater's skin, [75] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,96 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 96 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK did not fail to spread over the whole town that he had shaved a man who could take his head off and on to his wish. "Pinetti met in a summer-garden a young Russian who sold small cakes. He bought a few cakes, bit into them, and complained of finding a hard substance. The youth protested, but Pinetti opened the cake before him and found inside a gold piece. The magician pocketed the gold piece, bought another cake, then a third cake, and in fromph Pinettin If Hammeth Willed Pinetti's autograph, written by him on the back of the frontispiece, reproduced on page 78. Original in the Harry Houdini Collection. each case found a new gold piece inside. He tried to buy the rest of the cakes. The passers-by had in the mean time come round the seller, and everybody wanted to buy as well. The market seemed to be all right, a ducat for a kopeck! Twelve francs for a cent! The young man refused to sell any more, hurried away, and when alone opened the cakes that were left. He found only the substances of which the cakes were made-nothing else. [79] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,98 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 98 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK great impetus which was felt for several generations. It is not remarkable, therefore, that when the French magi- cian Cornillot appeared in London in 1822 he announced himself as the pupil and successor of Pinetti. This was Extraordinary Chemical Iliustrations, and FEATS or LEGERDEMAIN, M. CORNILLOT, PUPIL AND SUCCESSOR OF THE FANED PINETTI, Seppostfully informe the of the K tropolia, that be contiones . gire Every WEDNESDAY, At the Paul's Head Cateaton Street, And every MONDAY, THURSDAY, and SATURDAY, At the Great Room, in Spring Gardene. AMAZUNG ust PEILOSOPEY AND CHEMISTRY, And FEATS OF LEGERDEMAIN, Whish hore escited the admiretion of the le all - principal Toome of - - - - - de - Tes GARDEN, eli Ninde of Revers - - Se - - and - - assudy. - the - of - The de dess - . Novel Sahibilie GLASS or - purprising Ibemical de PURSTITS MYSTSRIOUS PENDULUN, which - - - - Theaghte of - Reholders á. " - pasplesing - gredune - - - aparationa, b, the ald of - THE GRAND TRIUMPH OF PINETTI. OF TUR sum. chich - - - estenales Thestra. Tes INCONCBIVABLE CHALLESOS or being . encessuive - Incresse of is - - of THE GRAND TRIUMPH OF COMUS, Brough - perfoctice by a. CORNILLOT, ANAZING PERFORMANCE OF CAUSING A LIVING PERSON To be is . plase chese be - - beea Revillimitate Thunder 80 naturally, that it will be thought to proceed from the Clouds These - be varied t, of lisporiments esth the Presente, Pome -- Feste of Legordomale, the preseding Eshibitions. x - - Dotal - / - - de - Preparations - f Boncer s. - Opm Pofermances degla precionly, to T. T6, - Asse, N. - de at - - of - - may le - de Seht 18:11 .. - - - - Reproduction of a handbill distributed on the streets of London in Sep- tember, 1829. The orange-tree trick is on the bill under the name of "En- chanted Garden." From the Harry Houdini Collection. when Robert-Houdin was seventeen years of age, twenty-three years before he made his professional début, and on Cornillot's programme we find another version of the now famous and almost familiar tree trick. As… | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,72 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 72 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK in Clerkenwell, London. He was a clockmaker and inventor of the copper and zinc alloy called after his name. He invented and made the famous astronomico-musical clock. In Appleby's Weekly Journal of July 8th, 1721, Me FAWKFS's THEATRE, In Tames-freet, near the Hay-marker, will be prefented tbe following Entertainments: Firft, H IS Diverting and Incomparable feveral Thingreatirely new. DERTERITY of HAND, in which he purforme N. B. In particular he caufesa Tree to grow up in a Flower- Pot upon the Table, which will blow and beay ripe Pruis in a Minute's Time. Second, His Third, The MUNICAL CLOCK, with EWO moving lately made by Mr. Pjochbeck, Fourth, The Vast FIAN MACHINS, belag the Piece of Workmaufhip in the World, for moving Pidures aud other Curiofities. Fifth, The ASTIFICIAL Vazw of the WORED, wherein Es very naturaDly imicated the Firmament fpangled wall a Maltifuide of Stari; the Moon's Increale and Decreale the Pawa of Day : the diffuling bis Lightar his Rifing the beautiful Redne(s of the Horizon at lis Sercing. as in a fine Summee Eyening. The R allo repre(ented, wih Ships under Sail, 28 fevent Miles Diffance; ethers fo neas that their Shadows are Teen lia de Water, and as they pars by any Fort, Caftle, &c, they esch other with their Goms, the Report and-Ecchool which are às plainly heard es cho' from the cal Places they appear to be. Every Week are Note, Every Night during this Wick will be 1. The Ciry of Grarz Dalsedom of Stitia in Germang. 11. The Cirs of Autwerp in io Flandess. IIT. The City d Grand Caleo to Egypt. IV The City of Algrervia Africa. Brginning CWITY livening precifely ar Nix o' Clock. Pir DE Midde Unper Audtharthe Company naay with Cold, there is Contrivances the Warm. Note, and Lades may have a privas giving Nouce the Night before. Advertisement from the London Daily Post during 1730, showing the orange tree as offered by the senior Fawkes, just previous to his death. From the Harry Houdini Collection. it was announced that Christopher Pinchbeck, inventor and maker … | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,62 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 62 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK in Clerkenwell, London. He was a clockmaker and inventor of the copper and zinc alloy called after his name. He invented and made the famous astronomico-musical clock. In Appleby's Weekly Journal of July 8th, I721, At FAWKFS's THEATRE, In near the Hay-market, will be prefentedite following Entertaimments. Firtt, H IS Diverting and Incomparable feveral Thingscatirely new. of HAND, in whichie performe N. n. In particular be caufera Tree to grow up in a Flower- Pot upon the Table, which will blow and bear ripe Fruit in.a Minute's Time, Second, His Famous linde Thind, The CLOCN, with two moving Pilures Tascly made b, Mr. Pinchbeck. Fourth, The Vest TIAN MACKINE, being the huen Piece et Workmaufhip in the World, for moving other Cariofities. Fifth, The ANTIFICIAL Vrow of the wherein is very nateraly imitared the Formament fpangled with Multitude of Stari; the Moon's Increale and Décreate the Pawa of Day il the diffufing his Lightar has Rifing : the beautiful Redneis of the Horizin at hts a in a fine Summer Evening, The Occait it alfo repreferred, with Ships under Sail, Miles the Water, Difance; and their others they pafs B near by that Fort, their Shadows as &cc, the' are they at leea levent lis 28 muy each other with Guits, the Report anddeccho of which are as plaialy heard as the from Places they Anpear to be. Every Weck are diffevent Nore, Every Night tlats Week will be following 1. The Ciry of Granz In the Drifredom of Stirla in Germany. 11. The Clry of Autwerp Nin Brabant in III. The City of Grand Cairo in Egres. IV The City of Africa. every Evening precifely ar SFx n° Clock. Pic AL Middle Upper 64 And thanhe Company may not be with Coll, theve is Contrivanzes TO keep der Warn. Note, Gendeaco and may have a privale Performance, giving Noute the Sight befort. Advertisement from the London Daily Post during 1730, showing the orange tree as offered by the senior Fawkes, just previous to his death. From the Harry Houdini Collection. it was announced that Christopher Pinchbeck, inventor and maker… | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,86 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 86 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK left breast. It is said that this is Sir Robert Walpole, who was Prime Minister while Fawkes was at the height of his success, and who was one of the conjurer's great admirers. Hogarth also placed Fawkes in one of his engravings as the frontispiece of a most diverting brochure on "Taste," in which he belittles Burlington Gate. This makes the third portrait from my collec- tion herewith reproduced. According to an article contributed by Mons. E. Ray- naly in the Illusionniste of June, 1903, the orange tree next appeared in the répertoire of a remarkable peasant conjurer, whose billing Mons. Raynaly found among "Affiches de Paris." This performer was billed as the Peasant of North Holland, and gave hourly performances at the yearly fairs at Saint-Germain. It is more than possible that he purchased this trick from Fawkes or Pinchbeck, having seen it at the Bar- tholomew Fair in England. He featured the orange tree as follows: "He has a Philosophical Flower Pot, in which he causes to grow on a table in the presence of the spectators trees which flower, and then the flowers fall, and fruit appears absolutely ripe and ready to be eaten." His posters are dated I746-47 and 1751. The next programme on which the mysterious tree ap- pears is a Pinetti handbill, dated in London, 1784, when the following announcement was made: "Signore Pinetti will afterwards present the assembly with a Tree called Le Bouquet-philosophique composed of small branches of an orange-tree, the leaves appearing green and natural. He will put it under a bottle, and at [69 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,78 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 78 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK spring socket for holding the candle firmly, and an arrangement whereby the candle always occupied an upright position, however the candlestick might be held. In 1768 (patent No. 899) he patented his nocturnal remembrancer, a series of tablets with notches, to serve as guides for writing in the dark. His snuffers (No. III9) patented 1776, continued to be made in Birmingham The Daily Poft. `KIDAY, January 21, 1726. S's and POWEL's Theatre, in in James-freet, mear the Hay-Marlet, be ving Entertainments, viz. 1726 FIRST his furprizing Dex- Hand, far exceeding all thatever Perform in this Kingdera. ad The fancus Poftare-Mafter. de The Mafics) Closk, that Play variety of Tunts, on the Orgia, Fluse, and Sine- Flageleig with Hirds, felf. Whilling and from Life the it Bath: And The 4th. wiole Powyl's Play of The Prineefs Elisabeth, er Rife of bugge Punch: With the Comical Humonrs of Enquire Punch, and his Foot- man Gudgeon. Perfoim'd by the Richeft Bnd Figures that ever was fees in England. Concluding with an Piece of Ma- chinery, after the Italian Manner, repreferring the Eplendid Palace of Diana breaking into Domble and Triple Prefpeds, with all the Changes of Srents and Decorations belonging to the Play. N. B. The poors will be open'devery Day at Five a Clock. And in Regird that Gentlemen and La- dies thall not be difappointed, we beghi exalty as Six, and none to bead- mitred afuer. Prices: S. . S. snd6d A clipping from the Taily Post, London showing that Fawkes combined forces with Powel, the famous Bartholomew Fair puppet man. From the Harry Houdini Collection. until the last forty years or so, when snuffers began to go out of use. In I774 he presented to the Society of Arts a model of a plough for mending roads. Pinchbeck's name first appears in the London directory in 1778, when it replaced that of Richard Pinchbeck, toyman, of whom nothing is recorded. "Christopher Pinchbeck, Jr., was held in considerable esteem by George III., and he figures in Wilkes' London [61] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,82 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 82 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK that the custom of giving two performances in a night was tried previously to April, 1728, and then abandoned, or after the first of May. In the London Post of February 7th, 1724, Fawkes announced an exhibition "in the Long Room over the piazza at the Opera House in the Haymarket." At this time he also advertised the fact that he was about to retire and was exposing all his tricks. The clipping of that date from my collection has the following foot-note: "Likewise he designs to follow this business no longer THISTO give Notice, That the famous Mr. at his Booth in WeR-Smirhield, the followine moft farprizing Trickt, after a new M. chad, vis. He takes ao rempry Bag. lays it on the Toble, and tarns it feveral Times infide ouf, then commanda 100 Eags our of it, and feveral Showers of real Gold and Silve: then the Bag beginning to fwen, feveral Sons of wild Fowls ron out of ir upon the Table. He throws up a Pack of Cards, and carter them to be living Birds flying aholt the Room. He caufes be any Piltérel. Re living blows Seatts, Likewife the Spors Birds, the of and the other Canda Line Creaturesto off oron, Pofture and appear Mafter, changes upon 4 them the French Ta- to Scalfold one-far Boy, aborit 9 exceeding Foor Vears bigh; ell of and that Agr. bends who how'd backward perform) in Europe. above till hir whole farprizing Rands Body upon hangs Acti- a Too ever He below his Legs, and rifes again wishnut any help of his Handv. He himfilf 6 Forte hetween two Chairs, while he plays uport the ingenious Vialin, Their Hours, Tricks every by if both Day, he was the from upon erformers, 9 in the Slick Morning Kope: redious till here With 9 ar to above Night, too the 100 laft Shows beginnion ar 3. 31 and 7. in the Evening, With . good Mulick. Pric 12 d. Clipping from the London Daily Post of August, 1735, in which Fawkes advertises his admission price as twelvepence. From the Harry Houdini Collection. than this season; so he promises to learn any lady or gentleman his fancies in dexterity of hand for the… | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,80 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 80 | THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK the clerk of St. Martin's-in-the-Field: Parish Church, Trafalgar Square, London, England, I came upon the rec- ord of his burial. This record, which I found after many days' search among musty, faded parchments, showed that his Christian name was Isaac, and that he died May 25th or 29th, I731, and was buried in St. Martin's-in- the-Fields Parish Church. The records further show that he was buried in the Ai FAWKES's Booth in the Upper Moor- fields, will be prejented the FIRST wonderfal his Famous Dexterity of Pofture-Mafter, Bndy exceeds all Europe. The that Mulical Temple of Arts with two moving the one a Concert of the oher the Siege and of Gibraltar, of Machine being Parnaftus, the with finelt with three Piece Apollo moving of €lock-work andthe Pidtures, in the Mufes the firft World. playing on reprefents Bay 3d, the various Another Hill Nine Infiraments of Mulick, the bext a beauriful View of a River, with Syms and other Fowls and Filh, fporting as the' Alive, The lait gives a Profpeßt of the New Palace Yard, with the whole Pro- cellion of the late Coronation of their prefent Majefties murch- ing from the Hall to the Abbey, Note, Half the Performasce can't be in this Adver- tifement. Nore, We thow twice yvery Evening the Firft beginning at Five, the other & Seven. Clipping from the London Post during 1728, showing the oldest evidence procurable of the original "Two a Night" performance. From the Harry Houdini Collection. church vault, the coffin being carried by six men. Prayers were said in the church, candles were used, and the great bell was tolled. As the fees amounted to £6 I2S., a goodly sum for those days, all signs indicate that the funeral was on a scale more costly and impressive than the ordinary. Fawkes was worth at his death £10,000, which was considered an enormous sum in those days. Every penny of this he made performing at the fairs. The earliest announcements of Fawkes' performance in my collection are dated 1702 and include advertise- [63] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,150 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 150 | THE PASTRY COOK OF THE PALAIS ROYAL "It was at this time that he came in contact with a person who afterward, under the designation of M. Phillippe, became celebrated in France as a magician. Phillipee (for so was he named in Scotland) was origi- nally a cook in the services of the late Lord Panmure. Leaving that employment, he settled down and remained for a number of years in Aberdeen. He heard of the fame of the youthful magician, was induced to visit his "temple,' and was struck with his performances; and having made the acquaintance of Mr. Anderson, he solicited from him and obtained an insight into his pro- fession, and fac-similes of his then humble apparatus. Phillippe improved to such a degree upon the knowledge he thus acquired that, leaving England for France, he earned the reputation of being one of the most accom- plished magicians ever scen in the country." The date of his initial performance is not known, but he must have remained in Scotland, perfecting his act, for the earliest Phillippe programme in my collection is dated February 3d, 1837, when he opened at Waterloo Rooms, Edinburgh, and announced: "The high character which Mons. Phillippe has ob- tained from the Aberdeen, Glasgow, Greenock and Paisley Press, being the only four towns in Britain where he has made his appearance, is a sufficient guarantee to procure him a visit from the inhabitants of this enlightened Metropolis, where talent had always been supported when actually deserved." Evidently, however, Phillippe made rapid progress, for a programme dated Saturday, April 2ist, 1838, shows that his last daytime or matinée performance in Waterloo [133] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,152 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 152 | THE PASTRY COOK OF THE PALAIS ROYAL Edinburgh programme, dated probably 1837, he is shown as performing his tricks, clad in peculiar evening clothes, knickerbockers and waistcoat matching, with a mere suggestion of the swallow-tail coat. In his 1838 bill he is shown clad in the flowing robes of the old-time magician, and he advertises the Chinese tricks, notably the gold-fish trick, which demanded voluminous dra- peries. According to Robert-Houdin, Phillippe built a small wooden theatre in Glasgow. Humble as this building was, however, it brought a significant factor into Phil- lippe's life. This was a young bricklayer named Andrew Macallister who had a natural genius for tricks and models, and who became Phillippe's apprentice, later appearing as Domingo, his assistant on the stage, wearing black make-up. In either Edinburgh or Dublin Phillippe met the Chinese juggler or conjurer who taught him the goldfish trick and the secret of the Chinese rings. Armed with these two striking tricks, Phillippe deter- mined to satisfy his yearning to return to his native land, and in 1841 he appeared at the Salle Montesquieu, Paris. Later, the Bonne-Nouvelle, a temple of magic, was opened for Phillippe in Paris, and there he enjoyed the brilliant run to which Robert-Houdin refers in his "Memoirs." Phillippe was an indefatigable worker and traveller, and one brilliant engagement followed another. During the 40's he appeared, according to my collection of pro- grammes, all over Continental Europe, and in most of his programmes this paragraph is featured: [135] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,138 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 138 | THE PASTRY COOK OF THE PALAIS ROYAL In 1816 the elder Gyngell featured the trick on his programmes as "The Russian Inn," and in THEATRE, 1823 he changed it to Catherine Street, "The Confectioner's STRAND. Shop." These pro- Mr. GYNGELL, Sen. grammes are reproduced Respoctfully informs the Public, the following Entertaismento continuing de be with the most reptirous Applouse, will be Reposted as the most convincing This Present Thursday, February 15th, 1816, And Every Evening till further Notice. evidence against the Os which Occasion Mz. G. intrests a eace . offer his most grateful Thenks be gest, and solicits a continunce of foture Patronage. As a Stúmelus Mr. G. will inteoduce insumorable & unprecedented Noveltion, nover exhibited here. & perticuler FIRST. claims of Robert-Houdin. A PEDESTAL CLOCK, Se oingularly constructed, that it is obedient a the Word of Command. The Did The Gyngell family is removed, it becomes a MILLAR: which, by the Power of Mechanism alone, will changa, and produce any stated sumber of Binck and White Bella, er both tagether. SECOND. one of the most interest- Representation of a Russian Inn, The Hessess of which will attend with any Liquor that is called for, sed sutire whem requested. These, segether with a Trunk a curious Construction, containing Lagsage, a besutiful Buress, Ring Boues, Caddies, Milla, &cs. &c. acc. ing in the history of all so equally ingenious and that it is impossible to eay which is the - w o NOR a F U L & chort Wed Ne G. with . the hie Auliences, by - Impose - them the of MAGIC, the of these Fissso - magic. The Christian is the Mes: but Friend - plain Trath, - avesse . every of COSJURATION, is With - intreduse them - the they veally are, Wonderful Pieces of Mechanism !!! name of the founder of Nr. GYNGELL will epen the Performance wuh Mathomatical. and the family I have never EXPERIMENTTS, To every Port of this Penformance weuld an . Sut eventy aighe years clapord le theservice of the Public (during which it hes - hie constant been able to ascertain, . render bie … | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,142 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 142 | THE PASTRY COOK OF THE PALAIS ROYAL South Esplanade. A fine notice of both performances zus nast zums TOUBTREN TEARS, was published in the Deal And the Patrosage of - - respoctable Fomilico of Vicinity. Telegram of February 23d, AT THE LARGE HORNS when the hope was ex- ROOM, TAVERN, pressed that Gyngell's col- Bermondsey Square. lection, taken among those - - of - of a - - à - - - of the - - - . - - ". - required - . - - - be On THURSDAY, FRIDAY. and MONDAY EFENINGS, who enjoyed his outdoor MAY let, Snd. & sth. 1823. performance, repaid him GYNGELL, Sen's for his admirable enter- Amusing & Instructing Entertainments - AT VAUXHALL GARDENS, tainment. Gyngell was 1 - novon oe vua MR. GYNGELL, landlord of the Bowling Green Tavern at this time, and travelled as an MATHEMATICAL, PIIILOSOPHICAL, & UNCOMMON, Experiments; entertainer only at inter- - - vals. PEDDSTAL -- coFECTOER'S SHOP, The next appearance of wits - - ebe em preduce - Sind of Confoctionary colled fue. gos THE TURKISH PILLAR, the trick is in a book pub- on, PERFITUAL NOTION. lished by M. Henry, a ven- triloquist, who played Lon- AUTOMATON ROPE VAULTER, don and the provinces from 4 Figure representing . Chills Youre oll, - - - - EPOLUTIONS ON THE TIGHT BOPE, - - - 1820 to 1828. During an - - - - del - - - - form TheMusical Glasses engagement at the Adel- - a & - . - - - - - - de - - phia Theatre, London, . - - - - a - - - . - - which according to the pro- LITTLE WORLD; on. LES ONDRES CHINON, of - - - gramme was about 1822, One Hundred Moving Figures: ame Henry published a book Clowa, with a Comic Dence,--Ma Benjamia. entitled "Conversazione; GYMNASTIC EXERCISES, - or, Mirth and Marvels," A Gyngell programme of 1823, adver- tising A Confectioner's Shop," whose in which he interspersed attendant will serve automatically any witty conversation with sort of confectionery demanded. From the Harry Houdini Collection. descriptions of his various 125 | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,140 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 140 | THE PASTRY COOK OF THE PALAIS ROYAL at Flocton's death Gyngell received a portion of the former's wealth. Associated with him in his performances were his brother, two sons, and a daughter. The latter was not only a clever rope-dancer but a musician of more than ordinary ability and she often constituted the entire "orchestra." On Gyngell's programme offered in 1827 he proves himself a great showman, for he features Herr Schmidt's "Mechanical Automatons, Phantasmagoria, a laughing sketch entitled Wholesale Blunders, his son on the flying wire, during which he would throw a somersault through a balloon of real fire, a broadsword dance by Miss Louise and Master Gyngell, and Miss Louise's performance on the tight rope, clowned by Master Lionel." On a programme used in Hull, October 29th, 1827, a lottery was featured as follows: "On which occasion the first hundred persons paying for the gallery will be entitled by ticket to a chance of a Fat Goose, and the same number in the pit to have the same chance for a fat turkey. To be drawn for on the stage, in the same manner as the State Lottery." According to Thomas Frost, Gyngell died in 1833 and was buried in the Parish Church, Camberwell. His children, however, continued the work so excellently planned by their father. The programmes herewith reproduced I purchased from Henry Evanion, who secured them directly from the last of the Gyngell family, as the accompanying letter, now a part of my collection, will show: [123] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,136 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 136 | THE PASTRY COOK OF THE PALAIS ROYAL begin to bark, and continue to do so until they are re- turned. The next figure belonging to this piece is the little chimney-sweeper, which will be seen coming from behind the house, will enter the door, appear at the top of the chimney, and give the usual cry of "Sweep' several times, descend the chimney, and come out with his bag full of soot." In 1820, Haddock's programme, including the fruitery, appears with only a few minor changes as the répertoire of Bologna, a very clever conjurer who afterward became the assistant of Anderson, the Wizard of the North, and who made most of the latter's apparatus. On the Bologna programme, for a performance to be given at the Great Assembly Room, Three Tuns Tavern, the shop trick is described thus: "A curious Mechanical Fruiterer and Confectioner's Shop, kept by Kitty Comfit, who will produce at Command such Variety of Fruit and Sweet- meats as may be asked for." The marvellous little shop does not appear again on programmes of magic until 1815, when Garnerin features it as "The Dutch Coffee-House." On the programme used by Garnerin in that year for a benefit which he gave for the General Hospital at Birmingham, England, it is feat- ured as No. IO: "A Dutch Coffee-House, a very surprising mechanical piece, in which there is the figure of a Girl, six inches high, which presents, at the Command of the Spectators, ten different sorts of Liquors." This programme is of such historical value that I repro- duce it in full. It will show that this particular mechanical trick is by no means the most important feature of Gar- nerin's répertoire. In fact his fame is based on his [ 119] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,154 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 154 | THE PASTRY COOK OF THE PALAIS ROYAL confectioner or pastry-cook standing in the doorway of his house, while the key explaining the various tricks PP 68 reads: "No. 9. Le Confiseur galant et le Liquoriste impromptu." [137] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,134 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 134 | THE PASTRY COOK OF THE PALAIS ROYAL four years before Robert-Houdin appeared as a public performer, Phillippe created a sensation in Paris, pre- senting among other automata "Le Confiseur Galant." In 1845, when Robert-Houdin included "The Pastry Cook of the Palais Royal" in his initial programme at his own theatre in Paris, Phillippe was presenting precisely the same trick at the St. James Theatre, London. Of this goodly company, however, Rovere and Phillippe deserve more than passing notice, as both were the con- temporaries of Robert-Houdin, and Rovere was his personal friend. Both also appear in Robert-Houdin's "Memoirs." The trick appears first, not as a confectioner's shop with small figures at work, but as a fruitery, then again as a Dutch Coffee-House and a Russian Inn, from which ten sorts of liquor are served. Finally, in 1823, it is feat- ured under the name that later made it famous, the Confectioner's Shop. Haddock, the Englishman who had the writing and drawing figure in his possession for some time, featured the fruitery on his programmes dated 1796. One of his advertisements from the London Telegraph is reproduced on page 106, in connection with the history of the writing and drawing figure, but for convenience I am quoting here Haddock's own description of the fruitery trick, which was even more complicated than the famous Pastry Cook of the Palais Royal: "A model of the neat rural mansion, and contains the following figures: First, the porter, which stands at the gate, and on being addressed, rings the bell, when the door opens, the fruiteress comes out, and any. lady or [ 117] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,156 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 156 | THE PASTRY COOK OF THE PALAIS ROYAL temporary, that other men had exhibited The Pastry Cook of the Palais Royal in its identical or slightly different ######### CONPISEUR Ernest Basch and "Le Confiseur Galant," which he claims is the original Robert-Houdin "Pastry Cook of the Palais Royal." From a photograph in the Harry Houdini Collection. guise, it was daring indeed of Robert-Houdin to claim it as his own invention. The most direct information regarding Opre comes [ 139 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,148 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 148 | THE PASTRY COOK OF THE PALAIS ROYAL which the public refused to patronize. The young con- fectioner approached the manager of the pantomime and suggested that they join forces. In addition to the regular admission to the pantomime each patron was to pay sixpence and receive in return a paper of mixed sugar plums and a lottery ticket by which he might gain the first prize of the value of five pounds. In addition, Talon promised not only to provide the sweets free of cost to the management, but to present a new and start- ling feature at the close of the performance. The novel announcement crowded the house, the pantomime and the bonbons alike found favor, but the significant feature of the performance was young Talon's appearance in the finale in the rôle of "Punch," for which he was admirably made up. He executed an eccentric dance, at the finish of which he pretended to fall and injure himself. In a faint voice he demanded pills to relieve his pain, and a fellow-actor brought on pills of such enormous size that the audience stopped sympathiz- ing with the actor and began to laugh. But the pills all disappeared down the dancer's throat, for Talon was not only an able confectioner and an agile dancer, but a sleight-of-hand performer. From that hour he exchanged the spoon of the confectioner for the wand of the magician. The fortunes of both the pantomime and Phillippe, as he now called himself, improved. Quite probably he re- mained with the pantomime company until the close of the season and then struck out as an independent per- former. Another story which is gleaned from a biography of John Henry Anderson, the Wizard of the North, tells [131] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,256 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 256 | THE SUSPENSION TRICK The Brahmin suspension as shown in an illustration found in Robin's l'Almanach de Cagliostro. [229] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,252 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 252 | THE SUSPENSION TRICK be strong, invisible to the audience, and still be perfect in mechanism. Robert-Houdin, with characteristic ambiguity, does not refer to a complicated mechanism, but lays stress on his ability to keep his tricks up-to-date and in line with popular movements of the hour. In writing of the sus- pension trick, he gives the impression that but for the sensation created by the use of ether as an anzesthetic he would never have thought out the new trick. His own words as presented on page 3I2 of the American edition of his "Memoirs" are reproduced in this connection : "It will be remembered that in 1847 the insensibility produced by inhaling ether began to be applied to surgical operations; all the world talked about the marvellous effect of this anzesthetic and its extraordinary results. In the eyes of the people it seemed much akin to magic. Seeing that the surgeons had invaded my domain, I asked myself if this did not allow me to make reprisals. I did so by inventing my ethereal suspension, which I believe was far more surprising than any result obtained by my surgical brethren. This trick was much applauded, and I am bound to say that my arrangements were excellently made. This was the first time that I tried to direct the surprise of my spectators by gradually heightening it up to the next moment, when, so to speak, it exploded." While Robert-Houdin, in his "Memoirs," claims to have invented the trick for the season of 1847-48, in the illustrated appendix of the French edition he states that the first production of the trick, with improvements, was in October, 1849. The improvement consisted of working the trick with a stool upon a platform, when, previous to 15 [225] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,272 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 272 | THE SUSPENSION TRICK bell hangs. Others use an electric magnet. Herr Alex- ander placed his bell on top of a fancy case which he could set anywhere, and the bell would ring at command. The secFet was a small bird, trained to jump from one rung of a tiny ladder to another, at word of command or the waving of a stick or wand which the bird could see from its point of imprisonment. Every time that it jumped from one rung to another, it would pull down a step which was so arranged that by the smallest overweight it would release a catch, which in turn would throw the hammer against the glass. When the bird stepped off, the hammer would again come back to its original position and be ready for the second blow. This bird he bought from a street fortune-teller, who had trained it to go up different steps of a ladder and select envelopes containing variously printed fortunes. Alexander enjoyed personal acquaintance with Presi- dent Polk, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Calhoun, and their fellow-statesmen in the United States. Through his friendship with President Polk he carried to the West Indies and Brazil letters so influential that the aristocracy in these countries opened its doors to him. He was welcomed at the palace of Dom Pedro, and has in his possession letters from both the King and his consort, dated 1850. So much for the history of a man who was brave enough to admit that he developed the suspension trick from principles laid down by humble Indian fakirs. The crudest method used for accomplishing the sus- pension trick consisted of a steel corset, an iron rod painted to resemble wood, and a platform. The steel [ 243 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,266 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 266 | THE SUSPENSION TRICK ened at the coming of one interested in his beloved art, whose eye brightened with each fresh detail of a long and successful professional life, and who, in fifty years of retirement, had not only written a book, but had kept in touch with the world of magic, giving me information which the most exhaustive encyclopaedia could not yield, answering questions on topics never yet discussed in dusty parchments and fading scripts. It was like having the history of magic unrolled before my eager eyes, in a living, palpitating, human scroll. It had been my intention to remain but a few hours in Münster, but the old master held me as if hypnotized and the hours fairly drifted past. Letter after letter, clipping after clipping, token after token, he spread before my fascinated eyes; and I allowed him to speak without question or interruption of any sort. Early in our inter- view he had remarked that he was beginning to feel old and that only the impetus of my presence was responsible for his unusual strength of speech. For over seventy years he had been collecting books on conjuring and kin- dred topics, which he was able to read in English, French, Spanish, and German. The dinner hour found us still engrossed in conversa- tion, and Frau Heimburger extended a most hospitable and cordial invitation for me to join the family circle. But my hunger was purely mental, and the true savor of the meal was the reminiscent chat of Herr Heimburger, who, from his post at the head of his household, looked as hale and hearty as if he had found the Elixir of Life which so many of his charlatan predecessors claimed to have "discovered." [ 237 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,268 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 268 | THE SUSPENSION TRICK however, I received a card with the following melancholy message My DEAR FRIEND-Have not been very well of late, and have been expecting my last days. All preparations have been made and Death the Visitor arrived, but instead of calling for me, he has taken away my beloved wife. I am not capable of writing more. God be with you. From your old friend, ALEXANDER HEIMBURGER. Alexander Heimburger or, as he was billed, Alexander the Conjurer, was born December 4th, 1818. From I 844 to 1854 he toured North and South America, return- ing to his native country with the intention of there follow- ing his calling as a professional entertainer. But his fame had preceded him, and, as his fortune was large, his souvenirs and tales of travel many and interesting, he was taken up by the world of fashion and lionized. This practically closed his career as a conjurer, for in those days magicians occupied no such reputable position in the professional world as they do to-day, and to have returned to his stage work would have closed the doors of aristocracy to him. He married one of Münster's prettiest girls, who bore him six children, two sons and four daugh- ters. So he passed the remainder of his days, living modestly but comfortably on the money he had amassed in America, entertained by a large circle of appreciative friends, and well content to live thus, far from the madding crowd in which the professional entertainer must move. While the recollections of his public career and his meetings with other magicians, as well as notable men in other walks of life, were fresh, he wrote his book, "Der Moderne Zauberer" (The Modern Magician), which he [ 239 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,262 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 262 | THE SUSPENSION TRICK in the field of magic a clever rival, Compars Herrmann; a few months later came John Henry Anderson, the Wizard of the North. Both of these men presented the suspension trick in precisely the same manner claimed by Robert-Houdin as his original invention of 1847. Neither Anderson nor Herrmann claimed the honor of having invented the trick, and it is more than likely that the mechanician who made their apparatus for the suspension trick made the one used by Robert-Houdin also. Herr- mann, like Robert-Houdin, called the trick ethereal sus- pension. Anderson gave it the title of "Chloriforcene Suspension," as the reproduction of an Anderson litho- graph on page 234 will prove. During precisely the same period of time a brilliantly successful German conjurer, Alexander, was presenting the same trick in America, where he remained as a pro- fessional entertainer for ten years. In my collection, together with corroborative handbills and programmes, there will be found this statement from Alexander: "The suspension was at first produced by me in 1845 or 1846, after reading in an Oriental annual, edited by several officers of the Indian Army, the trick of a fakir who made a companion sit in the air by using a bamboo stick. My trick had no success, because the sitting was too near the ground. I then made him stand in the air, and the effect was marvellous." My meeting with Alexander, of which this correspond- ence was the result, marked an era in my search for material for this volume. Having read in a small book on magic, dated 1896, that a man named Heimburger, who had travelled in America as "Alexander the Conjurer," [ 233] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,270 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 270 | THE SUSPENSION TRICK jurcr to offer this Chinese trick in America, as it is gener- ally supposed. Alexander added that all the old-timers would change their programmes by introducing the Chi- nese tricks, and, to verify his statement, readers need only to see the following files in Astor Library, New York City: New York Herald, New York Tribune, and New York Evening Gazette of November 6th, 1845. Herr Alexander had arrived in New York almost penniless, after a disastrous tour of other American cities. He tried to hire Niblo's Garden, but was informed that the auditorium was never opened in winter. Through the intercession of Mrs. Niblo, however, he finally secured it at a rental of twenty dollars per night. He opened to a small house and for thrce nights did not even pay expenses, but the fourth night witnessed a change in his fortunes and for three months he played literally to standing room. Then because he had no new tricks to offer, and his pride forbade his presenting his old répertoire until receipts grew lighter, he closed his New York season. While playing in Saratoga, Alexander was approached by the late P. T. Barnum, who was accompanied by Gen. Tom Thumb. Alexander declined Mr. Barnum's offer because he thought to join the Barnum staff of entertainers would injure his professional rating. Barnum's admission fee was 25 cents, while Alexander charged 50 cents and $1. About this time the fame of Alexander attracted the attention of no less a personage than S. F. B. Morse, of telegraphic fame; and Alexander had on his programme one trick which mystified Morse, who honestly believed that the conjurer had discovered some new law of nature that might be of service to scientists. 16 [ 241 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,264 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 264 | THE SUSPENSION TRICK was living in his native town of Münster, in Westphalia, I determined to secure an interview with him if possible. On March 17th, 1903, while playing in Cologne, I boarded an express train and arrived in Münster bright and early. From the city directory I learned that one Heimburger resided in Krumpentippen, 16. Hailing a passing droschke I was soon carried to my destination, where a bright-faced German girl opened the door and ushered me, without formality, into the presence of the man to whom I desired to pay my respects. An old man, bent with years, snow-white of beard and gray of head, came forward slowly to greet me. Finding that he was quite deaf, I raised my voice and fairly trum- peted my mission, adding that I felt especially honored to stand in the presence of the only magician who, up to that date, had ever appeared at the White House, Washington, by request of the President of the United States, my na- tive land. Alexander had been asked to entertain Presi- dent Polk and his guests on several occasions, and the fact that I knew this seemed to please the old conjurer and pave the way to a pleasant and profitable interview. In a few moments we were sitting side by side, and he was adding to my store of information by relating the most fascinating experiences, stories of fellow-magicians long since dead; and tales which he could corroborate by his own collection of bills, programmes, etc., his diary, and his personal correspondence. He had known Robert- Houdin, Frikell, Bosco, Count Pererilli, John Henry Anderson, Blitz, the original Bamberg of Amsterdam, Compars Herrmann, and many lesser lights among the old-time magicians. Robert-Houdin had told him per- [ 235 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,194 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 194 | THE TRAPEZE AUTOMATON ROBERT-HOUBIN, ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. LAST THREE PERFORMANCES The celebrated m. ROBERT-HOUDIN will give his Incredible Delusions and Extraordinary FANTASTIQUES AT THE ABOVE THEATRE VOLTICE DU TRAPEZE ON TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 6, Last Day Performance WEDNESDAY MORNING, March 7 COMMENCING AT HALF-PAST TWO O'CLOCK, AND FAREWELL REPRESENTATION, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH DOORS OPEN MT EIGHT O'CLOCK. PRIVATE BOXES, ORCHESTRA STALLS, AND TICKETS, MAY se AS BOTAL 33, OLD BOND est Bood . - BOX OFFICE - - " ell . a, , Copy of a poster used by Robert-Houdin to advertise his trapeze performer. This proves how accurately he duplicated the Pinetti figure, even to the ar- rangement of floral garlands. From the Harry Houdini Collection. [167] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,184 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 184 | THE TRAPEZE AUTOMATON ROBERT-KOUDIN, ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. LAST THREE PERFORMANCES The celebrated ". ROBERT-HOUDIN will give his Incredible Delusions and Extraordinary FANTASTIQUES AT THE ABOVE THEATRE LA VOLTICE DU TRAPÉZE ON TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 6, Last Day Performance WEDNESDAY MORNING, March 7 COMMENCING AT HALF-PAST TWO O'CLOCK, AND FAREWELL REPRESENTATION, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 8 DOORS OPEN AT EIGHT O'CLOCK. PAIVATE BOXES, ORCHESTRA STALLS, AND TICKETS, MAT - BOTAL 83, OLD OND Hoossan's Lasoma - - Casson's end the 19, Regues abe BOX orfics There * que Daily, - . a T, Copy of a poster used by Robert-Houdin to advertise his trapeze performer. This proves how accurately he duplicated the Pinetti figure, even to the ar- rangement of floral garlands. From the Harry Houdini Collection. 167 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,202 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 202 | THE TRAPEZE AUTOMATON automaton he merely copied figures presented by both his predecessors and his contemporaries, and he was fully aware of the existence of several such automata when he advertised his as an original invention. They were made by many mechanicians. In the illustrated appendix of the French edition of his "Memoirs" he goes further; he deliberately misrepre- sents the mechanism of the figure and insinuates that the automaton is a self-working one. This is not true, as it was worked by a concealed confederate, as described above by Decremps. Robert-Houdin even used the garlands of flowers to hide the moving bars as Pinetti and others of his pred- ecessors had done. The truth was not in him. [175] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,198 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 198 | THE TRAPEZE AUTOMATON by giving the handle a quarter of a turn to the left, the automaton, whose arms are parallel to the horizon, lift themselves by little and little, till they become vertical and parallel to the rest of the body; if in following the same direction, the other part of the body moves forward ; and by watching the motions through a hole, he seizes the instant that a leg passes before the bar, to leave the automaton astride; afterward he balances it by jerks, and causes it to take a turn around, keeping time with the music as if it was sensible of harmony. "N.B.-Three circumstances concur here to favor the illusion: First, by the assistance of a wire, the confederate can separate the bar from the automaton, which, falling to the ground, persuades one it loses itself by real machin- ery. Secondly, in winding up the levers shown in the body, confirms the spectators in the idea that there is no need of a confederate. Thirdly, the tubes that are twisted around the bar, except where the automaton is joined to it, seem to be the rope itself, and being without motion, as is seen by the garlands which surround them, it cannot be suspected that the bar turns in the inside, from whence it is concluded that the figure moves by its own machinery." According to one of de Philipsthal's advertisements, page I03, the trapeze automaton which he featured was six feet in height. But Pinetti programmes show that he had a smaller figure known as the rope vaulter. This is probably the trick exposed in Decremps' book. On page 108 will be found a Louis programme of 1815, on which a figure is thus featured: [171 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,188 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 188 | THE TRAPEZE AUTOMATON by giving the handle a quarter of a turn to the left, the automaton, whose arms are parallel to the horizon, lift themselves by little and little, till they become vertical and parallel to the rest of the body; if in following the same direction, the other part of the body moves forward; and by watching the motions through a hole, he seizes the instant that a leg passes before the bar, to leave the automaton astride; afterward he balances it by jerks, and causes it to take a turn around, keeping time with the music as if it was sensible of harmony. "N.B.-Three circumstances concur here to favor the illusion: First, by the assistance of a wire, the confederate can separate the bar from the automaton, which, falling to the ground, persuades one it loses itself by real machin- ery. Secondly, in winding up the levers shown in the body, confirms the spectators in the idea that there is no need of a confederate. Thirdly, the tubes that are twisted around the bar, except where the automaton is joined to it, seem to be the rope itself, and being without motion, as is seen by the garlands which surround them, it cannot be suspected that the bar turns in the inside, from whence it is concluded that the figure moves by its own machinery." According to one of de Philipsthal's advertisements, page I03, the trapeze automaton which he featured was six feet in height. But Pinetti programmes show. that he had a smaller figure known as the rope vaulter. This is probably the trick exposed in Decremps' book. On page 108 will be found a Louis programme of 1815, on which a figure is thus featured: [171] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,40 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 40 | THE UNMASKING OF ROBER'T-HOUDIN - CHAPTER I SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF ROBERT-EOUDIN R OBERT-HOUDIN was born in Blois, France; December 6th, 1805. His real name was Jean-Eugene Robert, and his father was Prosper Robert, a watchmaker in moderate circum- stances. His mother's maiden name was Marie Catherine Guillon. His first wife was Josephe Cecile Eglantine Houdin, whose family name he assumed for business rea- sons. He was married the second time to Françoise Mar- guerite Olympe Naconnier. His death, caused by pneu- monia, occurred at St. Gervais, France, on June 13th, 1871. Barring the above facts, which were gleaned from the register of the civil authorities of St. Gervais, all information regarding his life previous to his first public appearance in 1844 must be drawn from his own works, particularly from his autobigraphy, published in the form of "Memoirs." Because of his supreme egotism, his obvious desire to make his autobiography picturesque and interesting rather than historically correct, and his utter indifference to dates, exact names of places, theatres, books, etc., it is extremely hard to present logical and con- 3 [33] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,149 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 149 | THE UNMASKING OF ROBER'T-HOUDIN how Phillippe started his career as a pastry cook in the household of one Lord Panmure, and I quote this literally from the Anderson book, because I believe it to be truth- STRAND THEATRE, OPEN EVERY EVENING. Stalls S. nexes Se. PIS ls. Gallery MODERN MIRACLES. PART compree N. end convelled aed Fente . MAGICAL DELUSIONS: Including his peculas and enequalied ETAMORPHOSES AND ASTONISHING DECEPTIONS Part The Celebrated Cossack asd Automatos . or, the Chereed The Gallant Cunfectioner Dovee " the for Graise! The Taller Herlequie: Lesses Ladies," or . New Method Th. Firet Part terminate wirA the Admind GRAND DISTRIBUTION OF THE NATIONAL FLAGI! Ae of Tee beteese esch Part. PART " THE NEW BALLET RICHE D'AMOUR Due de Lency. Mile CONSTANCE CHIARINI, Le Narquise de Pompadour, (se ANUELO CHIARINL L. Petile PACLINE CHIARINI, Rigolard, In the couras of the Baliet, will be introduced LE MINUET OF LOUIS xv. PART / THE EXTRAURDINARY MERICAN BROTHERS their Uerque Scone, estitied OLYMPIC GAMBOLS, chich of thete they - FEATS OF AGILITY, - gressest and astenishment, and Malled of PART IV NICHT IN THE PALACE OF PEKIN, M. Phillippe perform some of the most Extraordinery Tours d'Adresse, sacluding his most brilliant and INDIAN AND CHINESE FEATS! consisting of the - surprising Feals eser attempled by any entitled The Enchanted Orange-The Mymie Sugar Loaf and Flying Handkercheefs Monsieur Meg and the Rose of from which will appras Scottich in full Costome, who will dance the Higbland Flag-The Magie Seppee of or, The Cook Benuched The Hat of Good hassuble including the Grend Europese Bessar and Flore's Gift. The Entertaismente ill cosclode with, EACH EVENINO, the Aslounding Supprieing emitled LES BASSINS DE NEPTUNE LES ET POISSONS D'OR AND THE GRAND EBIE! Unanimoualy presounced to be the most inexplicable Tovas DR Paverque and Nightly bose received ith the most rapteroue praie of ada - Dooss to be epened at a Quarter*past 7. Pesformance to commence Quastes so : The séose Pregremme us the most Novel le Londos… | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,259 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 259 | THE UNMASKING OF ROBERT-HOU esraping from a bladder or tube. When the blanket was again withdrawn, the conjurer wa on the ground. The mystery was supposed to have been sol Sheshal, commonly known as "the Brahmin of exhibited the trick in 1832 in Madras. It was that his stool was ornamented with two inlaid it was suggested that one of these might concea for a steel rod. passing through the bamboo, another rod. screwed to the perpendicular one ..... In the piece of hide, might be connect ```... of the same metal, passing up the S ...... inc. and forming a circular seat. : was not far from the truth, : is means the greatest of authorities "A i. : this particular instance I be is correct. information I have that wonderful F soll Ching Lau Lauro. Presumab and from the programmes in my fart in England, in 18:28 perform between scenes of - and Jerry," at the one of Ching L. de passibly di veir and . - : - ..... this | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,213 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 213 | THE UNMASKING OF ROBERT-HOUDIN " THE GREAT WIZARD OF THE NORTH," Performing hie triak of POURING FOUR DIFFERENT LIQUIDS FROM ONE BOTTLE. Reproduction of a political cartoon in Punch, published during Anderson's London engagement, April, 1843, proving that the Inexhaustible Bottle Trick" was used by Anderson before Robert-Houdin was a professional entertainer. From the Harry Houdini Collection. [ 186] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,77 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 77 | THE UNMASKING OF ROBERT-HOUDIN "He was a member and at one time president of the Smeatonian Society, the precursor of the Institution of Civil Engineers. In 1702 he devised a self-acting pneu- matic brake for preventing accidents to the men employed in working wheel-crancs. In The Gentlemen's Magazine for June, 1765, page 296, it is recorded that Messrs. Pinchbeck and Norton had made a complicated astro- it the Conk and Half Moan Tavern in Temple- Bar, r HE famons Mr. FAWKS performi moft furpriting Trick by Desterity of Hand, with Regi, curions India Birds, Mice and Money, Which Curionits no Perfon In the dom cari presend to thom To- gether with the Activity of Body perform'd by his Polture Maller, bring 9 Boy about Ten Years of Age, who Far - ceeds all that ever in Eumpe. Who Transforms his Body into fuch a various Shapes, 21 Curpaties human Faith to believe our Geting. Likewite the Rezilan Searamouch Dance, with two four Note, Legs, We have and the bur had Printe. the Body, Honour and prefent Majchy Headi, one to the Admiration of all to perterm before bis ling George, att the Quality of the whote Kirg- dom. with great Applaufe. Beginning evary Evening precifely it N.B. Any Gentiemen or Ladies may have 2 private Performance any Tirm of the Day, giving an Mour's Notick. An early Fawkes advertisement, clipped from a London paper of 1795. From the Harry Houdini Collection. noinical clock for the Queen's house, some of the cal- culations of the wheel having been made by James Fer- guson, the astronomer. There is no proof that Pinchbeck and Norton were ever in partnership, and there are now two clocks answering to the description at Buckingham Palace, one by Pinchbeck, with four dials and of a very complicated construction, and another by Norton. "Pinchbeck took out three patents: the first (No: 892), granted 1768, was for an improved candlestick with a [60] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,295 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 295 | THE UNMASKING OF ROBERT-HOUDIN "Memoirs"; and while he does not feature exposures of tricks in this work, he offers, in passing, explanations of tricks and automata presented by other magicians. For the most part these explanations are obviously incorrect, and so prove that he was ignorant of certain fundamental principles of the art in which he claimed to have shone. In the introduction of the American edition, published in 1850, Mr. Mackenzie, the editor, thus apologizes for one of Robert-Houdin's most flagrant mistakes in tracing the history of magic: "One error which M. Houdin makes must not be passed over. His account of M. de Kempelen's cele- brated automaton chess-player (afterward Maëlzel's) is entirely wrong. This remarkable piece of mechanism was constructed in 1769, and not in I796; it was the Empress Maria-Theresa of Austria who played with it, and not Catherine II. of Russia; it was in 1783 that it first visited Paris, where it played at the Café de la Regence; it was not taken to London until 1784, and again in 1819; it was brought to America in 1825, by M. Maëlzel, and visited our principal cities, its chief resting- place being Philadelphia; M. Maëlzel's death was in 1838, on the voyage from Cuba to the United States, and not, as M. Houdin says, on his return to France; and the automaton, so far from being taken back to France, was sold by auction here, finally purchased by the late Dr. J. K. Mitchell, of Philadelphia, reconstructed by him, and finally deposited in the Chinese Museum (formerly Peale's), where it was consumed in the great fire which destroyed the National Theatre (now the site of the Continental Hotel, corner of Ninth and Chestnut Streets), [ 266 ] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,153 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 153 | THE UNMASKING OF ROBERT-HOUDIN "PART III. "An unexpected present at once gratuitous and laugh- able, composed of twelve prizes, nine lucky and three unfortunate, in which the general public will participate." He also continued to distribute bonbons from an in- exhaustible source, probably a cornucopia, calling this trick "a new system of making sweetmeats, or Le Confiseur Moderne." During his first engagement in Vienna he had painted for advertising purposes a pastel portrait, showing him clad in his magician's robes at the finale of the goldfish trick. From this picture his later cuts were made. By some mistake he left the original pastel in Vienna, where I bought it at a special sale for my collection. It re- mains an exquisite piece of color work, even at this day. So far it is the only real likeness of Phillippe I have been able to unearth. In 1845-46 he was at the height of his popularity in London, where he had a tremendous run. In June, 1845, we find him playing at the St. James Theatre, under Mitchell's direction, and on September 29th, under his own management, he moves to the Strand, where he is still found in January of 1846. During all this time he featured The Pastry Cook of the Palais Royal under the title of "Le Confiseur Galant." As proofs that Phillippe used the pastry-cook trick both before and during Robert-Houdin's career as a magician, I offer several programmes containing accurate descrip- tions of the automaton, and also a page illustration from a current publication dated Paris, 1843, which shows the [136] | |
unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf,189 | unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 189 | THE UNMASKING OF ROBERT-HOUDIN "Two ELEGANT AUTOMATA "As large as nature, the one representing a beautiful POLONNESE, the other a little boy. "Nothing can surpass the admirable construction of these Pieces. The large figure seems almost endowed with human Faculties, exhibiting the usual feats of a Rope-Dancer, in the fullest limitation of life. The small Figure is invested with equally astonishing powers of action. To such ladies as are spectators it must be a very pleasing circumstance that these exertions do not excite those disagreeable sensations which arise from the sight of Figures fraught with life, performing feats attended with so much danger." By referring to page II3 the reader will find a Schmidt programme, dated 1827, on which the figure is featured as follows: "THE ROPE DANCER, "Whose surprising performances surpass, in agility, attitudes, and evolutions, every Professor of the art, keep- ing correct time to the music of the machinery." A Gyngell programme, dated 1823, which is reproduced in the chapter devoted to "The Pastry Cook of the Palais Royal," page I25, reads as follows: "Two automatons, one of which will execute wonderful feats on the tight rope, and the other dance a characteristic hornpipe." As Gyngell figured in the amusement world from 1788 to 1844, the little figure must have been tolerably well known to the magic-loving public of England by the time Robert-Houdin appeared in London in 1848. A magician named York, who appeared in London in [172] |
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