George Karger, [Harry Blackstone Sr.], ca. 1950
George Karger, [Harry Blackstone Sr. performing], ca. 1950
George Karger, [Harry Blackstone Sr. and levitating woman], ca. 1950
George Karger, [Harry Blackstone Sr. and levitating woman], ca. 1950
Through the magic of photography… Though the magic of GIFs… The Great Blackstone has been brought to life!
The Great Harry Blackstone Sr. (1885–1965) was one of the greatest American magicians or illusionists. An associate of Houdini (1874-1926) and Cardini (1895-1973) etc., etc. The Great Blackstone was born Henry Boughton in Chicago. Blackstone was inspired to study magic after seeing a rope escape trick in 1897. He began his professional career in 1904 with his brother Peter. The Blackstone name was derived from the Hotel Blackstone in Chicago. “‘It doesn’t need to be sleight of hand,’ he asserted, ‘it’s nothing but pure psychology – applied in the right place. If the leaders of the world would turn their talents to a little more magic, or psychology,’ he continued, ‘there wouldn’t be so much hurt and misery. Politicians are nothing more than magicians anyhow, they put people under a spell.’ ” (The New York Times, November 18, 1964)
Have a magical Halloween…
Fans in a Flashbulb 