1. Harry Houdini
New York Public Library / Library of Congress
The Hungarian - deport escape creative person was known for squirming out of constraint . After repeatedly drop off out of cuff and prisons , the performer reset the moniker Harry " Handcuff " Houdini . As his fame spread , Houdini ’s acts became more and moreelaborate : He allowed himself to be suspended in the air , submerged underwater , and even buried alive . He was feature in a number of movies that showcased his agility , speciality , and sleight .
Despite many rumors that his daring relief valve were staged , Houdini was hellbent on exposing frauds . When he failed to contact his mother after her death , the performing artist realize that mediums and psychics preyed on the emotionally vulnerable . He would serve séances incognito , tear off his camouflage when he collected enough grounds to prove that the mediums were faking their spiritual connection . ( you’re able to say about his takedown of famous medium Mina Crandonhere . ) Then , he reanimate the supposed medium ' Illusions and trick for his audiences .
2. Harry Kellar
A common topic on many magician ’s bill poster are imps , devils , and monster whisper the secrets of dark magic . Harry Kellarstarted that trendwith his ominous portrayal . One hob whisper magic tricks so mystifying , it make his acquaintance gasp .
Some of these under - worldly illusion include levitating people and vanishing birdcages . Thanks to solid performances , Kellar became a family name . He was good friends with Houdini in his later days and attend as theinspirationfor the escape creative person ’s point name .
3. Howard Thurston
Library of Congress
After Kellar retired , he symbolically draped his cape on the shoulders of Howard Thurston , naming him his successor . you may see the young thaumaturge was a big buff of the tiny red demon mind and used it several times .
Thurston put on enormous display that requiredeight entire train carsjust to carry his props . His shows were lavish and spectacular , and often required large property , like a Whippet automobile that he would fill with adult female before make it vanish .
4. Alexander Herrmann
New York Public Library
Alexander Herrmann the Great was a friendly rival of Kellar and an inspirational figure to Thurston . The French magician was taught sleight - of - helping hand by his elderly buddy after beingwhisked awaywithout his parent ’s permission . After parting ways to work on his own career , Herrmann toured the world with his wife , Adelaide .
5. Edwin Brush
Brush depart as asales managerfor a habiliment company , using wizardly tricks to help contribute in stage business . He eventually realized that he could make a living that room and became a full time magician . As seen in the instance , his mustache was groom to turn up , making him appear more magical .
5. Christian Andrew George Newmann
Newmann the Great was amentalistwho was sleep together for hypnotics and psychical recital . One of his well have it off tricks call for driving a car while blindfold ( eek ! ) . Above , you could see him navigating the humans sans imaginativeness .
6. Zan Zig
Here is a poster for Zan Zig , the least famous magician on this lean . The illustration shows a variety of different acts , from levitation to conjuring spirits .
7. Frederick Bancroft
Bancroft decided to become a magician after befriending Alexander Herrmann . Despite being from Minnesota , he used exotic imagery inspire by his tripper through Europe and the East Indies . The ill - fated performing artist never really get his career off the ground and lapse away as a result of typhoid pyrexia at age 31 .
8. Theodore Hardeen
Hardeen was the younger chum of Houdini and used this affiliation to spring - dining table his calling . Like his brother , the performing artist was an escape artist and wasfeatured in picture show .
9. Karl Germain
New York Public Library / MagicHistorian
Originally spelled " Germaine , " the Wizard dropped the eastward in the later years of performing . He developed a love for magic at a veryearly age and toured professionally by the time he was 20 .
10. Eugene Laurant
This magician , called " The Man of Many Mysteries , " wasknown forelaborate illusions and chapeaugraphy ( hat tricks ) .
11. Claude Alexander Conlin
Alexander was a mentalist have it away for classic lechatelierite clod readings . He was widely successful for mind readings and similar telepathic acts . The conjuror spent alarge sumof money on print gamy lineament posters that often used bright red colors to attract attention .
12. Miss Baldwin
Library of Congress / Compelling Imagery
Miss Baldwin was really two different people — Clara and Kitty Baldwin . They were the two wives of Samri Baldwin , who used them asassistants(at different times ) . He would blindfold the women and they would establish theirpsychic abilities . Kitty , Baldwin ’s 2nd wife , finally leftto pursue her own career , although she never found the same success she did with her former husband .
13. Frederick Eugene Powell
Powell was the dean ofThe Society of American Magiciansfrom 1922 to 1938 . He tour with Imro Fox and Servais Le Roy under the name " The Triple Alliance . "
14. Servais Le Roy
Le Roy was part of the Triple Alliance , but he was better known for the human activity he execute withhis wife , Talma . The couple is have together in the poster .
15. Herbert Albini
If you learned anything from these posters , it ’s that the devil possess a good deal of magician ' souls .
The accomplished conjurer chose his surname after the player , Frederick Baxter Ewing , who give out by Lieutenant Albini . Ewing was obviously not too pleased , because hethreatened to sueover the name and publicly disassociate himself from the magician .
