The Magic Detective & Mandala Magazine and More

I just found out yesterday that back in 2012, Mandala Magic Magazine had an article about HOUDINI and in the article they spent a little time talking about THIS blog. They also discussed John Cox's Blog and Kevin Connolly's blog as well. It was a pleasant surprise and the article itself was posted to another website by the original author of the piece, so you can read it here.

Also, coincidentally, yesterday was my first introduction to the Mandala Magazine itself, even before I found out about the earlier article. I found out they had done an rather extensive interview with David Bull of Le Grand David and also interviewed Rick Heath and Ellen Sheehan from the show as well. It is a FANTASTIC article which shares some insights on the last few years of the show, the death of Cesareo and how it affected the cast and the reasons why the show closed and what is going on currently and what the future holds.

The issue can be found in the 'past issues Volume 4'.  If you are interested in checking it out click the link, the issue costs $5.95 and is digital, so they will send you a link to download it.

The Mandala Magazine is a product of and owned by Shawn McMaster.

Houdini And Samri Baldwin

The photo above is Samri Baldwin and Harry Houdini. Baldwin was born Samuel Baldwin in Cincinnati OH in 1848. He performed professional as The White Mahatma. Samri is credited with taking the question and answer techniques used by mediums and applying them to magic and mentalism. His techniques are still used today.

I'm not sure, but I might have stumbled upon a discovery*.  I believe it was in Jim Steinmeyer's book about Howard Thurston where I read that Samri Baldwin in 1921 had a small spot in the Thurston Show. Baldwin had brought along with him a trunk full of treasures he had collected over the course of his career and life. They were to be a gift to Howard Thurston. But there was a problem, the two did not get along. So much for that gift! I kind of assumed at that point that Baldwin probably gave or bequeathed the trunk to his daughter Blanche Baldwin, though I had no real proof either way.

Well, yesterday I'm looking through some of the scrapbooks in the Harry Ransom Houdini Collection and what should pop up? A scrapbook belonging to S.S. and Kittie Baldwin! Now this is not the trunk full of treasures that was mentioned in the Thurston book, but I bet it was part of that trunk!

As it turns out, my discovery, or what I thought was a discovery falls flat near the end. Samri Baldwin did not give the scrapbook to Houdini. His daughter gave the book to Houdini, as can be seen by the inscription in the front. Samri died March 10th, 1924 and on April 21st, the book was sent to Houdini. So the trunk of treasures remained with the family with the exception of this scrapbook. Or maybe she gave them to someone else? Where the trunk of treasures ended up is anyone's guess.

*Turns out this 'discovery' has been made before. And as is mentioned in the comments below, was also revealed in the book 'Metamorphosis' by Bruce MacNab. The only unique thing that I did was make the connection of the book to the trunk of memorabilia mentioned in the Thurston book by Jim Steinmeyer, but his is only a guess on my part.

For MORE on Samri Baldwin Listen to my podcast http://magicdetectivepodcast.com/e/samuel-spenser-baldwin-pioneer-clairvoyant/

Robert Heller Memorabila

If you spend some time looking over my blog, it becomes apparent fairly quickly who my favorite performers are. You'll see the most articles on this blog are about HOUDINI with over 170 articles. Next is Harry Kellar with 32, Le Grand David with 27 and they will soon pass by Kellar. And then the next one is Robert Heller. I've actually probably spent more time in hard research over Heller than anyone. He is such an intriguing character in the history of magic.

Occasionally, Robert Heller items show up on ebay and this time we've got something really cool. It's a unused ticket from Heller's performance at Horticultural Hall, October 13, 1877. I know he was in Boston in September of 1877, so I'm going to assume this ticket is from the Boston Horticultural Hall.
If you are interested in bidding on it, it comes with a pretty steep starting price of $475.00. Too rich for my blood. The auction is here http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hellers-Wonder-ticket-Magic-Spiritualism-Spiritualists-Occult-History-Rare-/281283020755

Next up is a really cool picture of a Heller Poster from the Harry Ransom Collection. I don't recall seeing this poster before, and if I have, I have never seen it in color. It's a beautiful piece. An interesting piece on the poster, underneath his name it reads "From the United States". This is funny because Heller was actually from England. To add to that, when he first came to the U.S. he pretended to be from France!

Behind the Scenes Video of Le Grand David Magic Show

I just found this online. It's a video of behind the scenes footage of the LeGrand David Magic Show in Beverly. Now that the show is finished, sold off and will no longer be seen, this gives a nice view of some of the spectacle that once graced the stage at the Cabot St. Cinema Theatre.

Making Magic from Jerry Harrell on Vimeo.

Okito - Le Grand David Magic Illusion Is Available!

Yes, the Le Grand David Auction has passed. But one item in particular did not sell, the closing illusion to their Cabot St. Theatre Show. In the show it was an unusual pagoda. In reality it was a combination of two Okito/Theo Bamberg Illusions. One was called 'Hi Strung' and the other 'The Mandarin's Dream'.  In fact, in the auction listing they describe it just like that, a combination of two Okito Illusions.

I have to admit, as much as I love the show, this was never a favorite of mine. But now upon reflection, I think perhaps I may have been mistaken. There is quite a bit of magic here and as far as engineering it's pretty remarkable.

It is kind of a combination of the two Okito effects. The routine called Hi-Strung, has a pagoda like structure and the doors are opened front and back to show it empty. It's closed up and a long rope is threaded through the box. Suddenly the 'Lotus Flower' or female assistant steps forth from the pagoda with the rope passing through her costume!

But 'The Mandarin's Dream' which is the part of the routine where the large box-like trunks are introduced, is slightly different in the original effect.

In the Mandarin's Dream, according to Okito, it is a transposition of the boxes with a living person. And in fact, it is a very elaborate playlet with several characters, multiple boxes or tea chests as they are called in the routine, and a pagoda and another raised platform with a canopy that is flown in to cover the boxes. 

The method for created the Mandarin's Dream is very involved. It's quite a remarkable concept and I'm not sure if the original Okito props from this illusion remain today.

Okito mentions in his book Okito On Magic, that this was the most sensational illusion he ever performed but due to weight and size it was impossible to travel with. I wonder if the effect was eventually given to his son, or if it remained behind in Europe?

The good news is a version of these two effects does still exist today.  The Le Grand David troupe referred to this as 'The Legend of the Miraculous Pagoda', and as I stated earlier, this was the closing illusion in their show at the Cabot St. Theatre. It began for years with Webster Bull acting as narrator and describing the history of this magical pagoda. When his monologue was over, the company sprang into action and began by rolling out the pagoda, showing it empty and also bringing out the large chests which were full of jewels, fabrics and gold! The chests were lifted and stacked inside the pagoda and then the doors closed. A rope was threaded through the pagoda and then the entire thing was spun around (not a simple task because this prop is a monster!).

When the doors are eventually opened, the chests are gone! In it's place is a masked figured whose costume is threaded with the rope. The costume figure steps out of the pagoda and lo and behold it is none other than Marco the Magi! This leads to the final bows by each member of the company and a few surprise effects along the way.

I stated above it was not my favorite illusion. I think part of the reason was it was very slow. I did enjoy Webster's story however, I thought that part of it was fantastic. And there is a moment of great surprise in the routine near the end when the doors are open and the chests are seen, the doors are closed and then opened and the chests are gone and Marco the Magi is there.  I'm sure the slowness is probably unavoidable, but perhaps other things could have been done to mask the time. At any rate, it was their closing illusion for years and in all honesty, it's pretty amazing. I just watched it again last night on video and was taken back by the vanish of the boxes and appearance of the person. Perhaps, my previous opinion was just a bit jaded.

There is good news too. This wonderful effect is available! It was in the recent Kaminski Auction of the Le Grand David show. It did not sell. It had a very high reserve which was part of the problem. But it is still available and I'm sure they are wanting to find a new home for it. It was lot # 9040 and if you contact the folks at Kaminski Auctions ask them about it and see if perhaps you can make a bid on it. Keep in mind, this thing is gigantic! I don't think it packs flat, but it might break down a little for shipping, I don't know. You'll have to ask them. Keep in mind unless you pick it up, the shipping is going to be a lot. But, this will certainly be the ultimate in Okito inspired collectibles and the crowning jewel of the Le Grand David Show. Contact them and see!