Harry Blackstone Sr. (1885 – 1965), was a famed stage magician and illusionist of the 20th century. He started doing magic at the age of eight after receiving a magic kit for a birthday present and seeing a performance by the great Harry Kellar.

Blackstone Sr. began his career professionally in his teens (1904) and was beloved as a USO entertainer through World War II, billed as The Great Blackstone. Following Houdini’s death, Blackstone would become the most well-known magican in the United States of America.

Eventually he would retire from touring in the 1950s, but would continue to make television and other appearances for the rest of his life.

FACT 1: Harry Blackstone Sr. appears in his own comic book series.

Harry Blackstone Sr.’s shows mixed small-scale slight of hand and elaborate prop-based illusions, and he pioneered such now-classic routines as the buzzsaw illusion, dancing handkerchief, floating lightbulb, and his unique frames of paper illusion where he would smash his hand through a framed sheet of paper and withdraw various objects, livestock, and even his wife seemingly out of nowhere.

FACT 2: His son Harry Blackstone, Jr. would follow in his footsteps and became a famous magician, too. Harry Jr.’s wife, Gay Blackstone, still keeps the family name in the public eye.

Watch rare snippets of Harry Blackstone Sr.’s stage show – right now!

If you find all of this very interesting and want to learn more about Harry Blackstone Sr., visit his official WikiPedia page. Also, spend a few moments visiting his official virtual grave.

Magic Legends presented by Lee Asher and Ellusionist. Using the tools of today, Magic Legends encourages the youth of tomorrow, to study the legendary magicians of yesterday. You’ll find vintage magic videos, along with a small biography and a link for further information about each artist. Your magic education continues today…

Percy Abbott (1886 – 1960), was an Australian magician and magic dealer who founded Abbott’s Magic Novelty Company in Colon, Michigan. In his prime, Abbott’s business was the largest manufacturer and retailer of magic tricks and stage illusions in the world.

Early interests included theater and magic; Abbott took part in amateur theatrical productions as a boy, and soon thereafter, discovered magic; it was the latter pursuit, along with its allied art, ventriloquism, to which he would devote the balance of his life.

By the end of 1945, Percy Abbott managed a small empire in southern Michigan. His magic business was spread over the small town in some seven buildings, and employed 54 or more workers. Facilities to transform nearly any raw material into a magic trick were at hand, and Abbott branch stores were established in Detroit, Indianapolis, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Percy Abbott enlisted well-known magicians to manage these outlets, and often appeared at the stores himself. He also became a fixture at magic conventions in the USA, putting his abilities as an outstanding demonstrator of Abbott-made tricks to good use.

FACT: Percy Abbott was the co-founder of the Blackstone Magic Company in Colon, Michigan with Harry Blackstone Sr. from 1929 to 1931.

Watch a rare movie of Percy Abbott performing the Super X Levitation in front of the Abbotts Magic Shop (Michigan):

Learn more about Percy Abbott by visiting his official MagicPedia page.

Watching professionals only increases the chances of you improving your own magic. It also helps educate you about magic’s rich past. In turn, the art of magic advances. Magic Legends a free resource for you to use, study and benefit from. Read more about Magic Legends.

Milbourne Christopher (1914 – 1984) was an American illusionist.

He wrote more than twenty books, was national president of the Society of American Magicians (SAM), and was an honorary vice-president to the London Magic Circle. Milbourne Christopher was also chairman of SAM’s Occult Investigating Committee and was one of the original members of CSICOP.

His collection of magic memorabilia contained prints, paintings, photographs, posters, playbills and drawings of the greatest conjurers in history, and was the largest in private hands. Many of these items appeared in his book The Illustrated History of Magic.

FACT: David Coperfield owns the Milbourne Christopher collection and houses it in his secret warehouse in Las Vegas.

With more than 20 books, 10 TV specials (including the first on prime time network TV in the US), two Broadway magic shows, one off-Broadway spectacular, starring roles at Madison Square Garden’s Magicworld and performances in 72 countries, he was a master to say the least.

Watch Milbourne Christopher perform the Sword Basket illusion.

You are encouraged to learn more about Milbourne Christopher by visiting his official Wikipedia page.

Watching professionals only increases the chances of you improving your own magic. It also helps educate you about magic’s rich past. In turn, the art of magic advances. Magic Legends a free resource for you to use, study and benefit from. Read more about Magic Legends.

Every few days, I post a new vintage magic video in the Ellusionist Performance HQ Forums with a small biography and a link for further information about a MAGIC LEGEND. Have you been participating in each of them?

Don’t worry, nobody will be mad if you missed a few.

Lately, MAGIC LEGENDS have appeared like:

• Al Flosso : The Coney Island Fakir
• Hardeen: Houdini’s brother
• Al Koran: One of the greatest Mentalists to live
• Richard Himber: Musician/Magician Extraordinaire
• Robert Harbin : the creator of the Zig Zag illusion
• Suzy Wandas :The Lady with the Fairy Fingers
• Omar Pasha : One of the most original magic acts – ever!

If you’ve never heard of these magicians or their accomplishments, do yourself a favor and learn about them. You have my word it will make you a better magician, and swiftly assist you in achieving results that you’ve always been striving for. Watching professionals only increase the chances of you improving your own magic. Even if you’re already familiar with these guys, they are still worth revisiting.

Remember this is a free resource for you to study, use, and benefit from. Watch with notebook in hand because the clips will impact your life in a positive way. Make sure to post your comments every time you watch one. Let your magic education continue today.

Besides, in times like these, it’s crucial to motivate and inspire you to be better. Why? Because, right now, everyone could use a little more quality magic in their lives!

Magic Legends presented by Lee Asher and Ellusionist. Using the tools of today, Magic Legends encourages the youth of tomorrow, to study the legendary magicians of yesterday. You’ll find vintage magic videos, along with a small biography and a link for further information about each artist. Your magic education continues today…

Richard Himber (1900 – 1966) was an American bandleader, composer, violinist, magician and practical joker.

In his youth, he worked his way through Vaudeville and down Tin Pan Alley. Himber finally formed an orchestra of his own, parlaying a gig at New York’s Essex House Hotel into national NBC radio exposure. Among the top notch professionals in its ranks were Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw and many other future stars of the music world.

NEAT FACT: Richard Himber wrote the original theme for NBC’s Today Show.

But in our world of magic, Richard Himber is best remembered for inventing many magic tricks including The Himber Wallet, The Himber Ring, and The Himber Milk Pitcher. Watch Richard Himber perform the amazing Water Suspension on the Magic Ranch with Don Alan.

Learn more about Richard Himber by visiting his official MagicPedia Page.

MAGIC LEGENDS is compiled by Lee Asher for Ellusionist.com. Watching professionals only increases the chances of you improving your own magic. It also helps educate you about magic’s rich past. In turn, the art of magic advances. Magic Legends a free resource for you to use, study and benefit from. Read more about Magic Legends here.