That Old Black Magic: The Lives & Legends of Great African American Magicians

by Jim & Melania Magus

Overview

That Old Black Magic is a history of the best known black stage magicians performing in the United States since the colonial days, featuring fascinating stories of pioneers of the magic profession. Richard Potter was the first magician in America to make a name for him. Jacob Kellies took time out of his performance career to fight for the Union in the Civil War. Henry "Box" Brown escaped slavery by mailing himself across the Mason Dixon Line, and became a traveling magician. Black Carl, Alonzo Moore, and Professor Boomsky were assistants to the great magician Alexander Herrmann before performing their own magic acts. Many black performers decided to disguise themselves as Indian or Hindu magicians in order to avoid racism and segregation in America, and this book tells the fascinating stories of Princess Sotanki, Prince Joveddah De Rajah, Ali Sadhoo, Professor Maharajah, and Majahara. Professor J. Hartford Armstrong performed magic shows for black audiences across the east coast, and his daughter followed in his footsteps. The great Black Herman was a legendary magician during his time. Fetaque Sanders paved the way for the next generation of black magicians. All of their fascinating stories are finally told in this important book on history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781716576485
Publisher:	Lulu.com
Publication date:	08/28/2020
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.82(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword by Randy Shine, Introduction: America's First Magician; Richard Potter, Professor Kellies; the Black Wonder,Escape from Slavery; Henry "Box" Brown, The Boomskies: Black Carl, J. Edward Clarke, Alonzo Moore, Everett the Magician, Professor Bumsky, Professor Eph Williams, Leon Long; First President of the First Black Magicians Organization. Hindu Fakers and the Power of a Rag: Princess Sotanki, Prince Joveddah de Rajah, Ali Sadhoo, Princess Mysteria, Professor Maharajah, Principe Notaes Majahara , King of the Colored Conjurors; Professor Armstrong, Only Once Every Seven Years; The Great Black Herman, Founder of the Texas Association of Magicians; Herman Yerger, The Imagination Man; Fetaque Sanders, Conclusion.