Illusionist Collection

SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPH, 1863. French illusionist Henri Robin with a ghost, in a double exposed publicity photograph by Eugne
SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPH, 1863. French illusionist Henri Robin with a ghost, in a double exposed publicity photograph by Eug├¿ne Thi© bault, 1863

Magician performing the cup and balls trick
Undated illustration, coloured, of a magician performing the cup and balls trick to a gathered audience, entitled " Tableaux de Paris: L Escamoteur, sur le boulevard

French conjuror Robert Houdin
Jean Eugne Robert-Houdin (December 6, 1805 - June 13, 1871) was a French magician. He is widely considered the father of the modern style of conjuring. HPG/8/1/1 (v"

ROBERT HOUDIN (1805-1871). French magician. Wood engraving, c. 1880, depicting Houdins government mission to Algeria in 1852

Maskelyne and Cookes "The Artists Dream". John Nevil Maskelyne and George Co
Maskelyne and Cookes " The Artists Dream". John Nevil Maskelyne and George Cooke, presented for the first time to a West End audience an entertainment they had been giving for several years

Carl Hertz, illusionist and conjurer. 1893

Professor De Kolta on stage with two women, 1902 (silver gelatin print)
MNY381375 Professor De Kolta on stage with two women, 1902 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942); 27.9x35.6 cm; Museum of the City of New York

HARRY HOUDINI (1874-1926). American magician. Houdini appearing before a Senate committee to expose fake spiritualists, 1926

HARRY KELLAR 1849 - 1922
American magician who presented large stage shows during the late 1800s and early 1900s - the predecessor of Harry Houdini and successor to Robert Heller

Engraving depicting John Holtum stopping a cannon ball in flight
5308576 Engraving depicting John Holtum stopping a cannon ball in flight; (add.info.: Engraving depicting John Holtum stopping a cannon ball in flight)

Poster for Houdini's fraud exposure show, 1909 (poster)
2909810 Poster for Houdini's fraud exposure show, 1909 (poster); (add.info.: Poster for Houdini's fraud exposure show)

The Great Lafayette in his study, 1911
Sigmund Neuberger (or Newburger) (1871-1911), otherwise known as illusionist The Great Lafayette. Seen here in his study at 55 Tavistock Square, London, which was decorated with pictures, colour

Illusionist magic show by Pharos, with fake decapitation. Date: circa 1900s

Escapologist Mike Costello known as Blondini seen here being blown up in a box by his wife Sally. August 1973

John Nevil Maskelyne performs a spirit cabinet illusion, c1910. Creator: Unknown
John Nevil Maskelyne performs a spirit cabinet illusion, c1910. How the tricks are performed - " A coach-horn or megaphone is useful for picking things up

Spirit head and shoulders sketch of D. D. Home
Daniel Dunglas Home (pronounced Hume') (March 20, 1833 June 21, 1886) was a Scottish Spiritualist, famous as a physical medium with the reported ability to levitate to a variety of heights

Spooners protean views, no. 5. The magic lantern, c. 1838 (hand-coloured litho)
5669194 Spooners protean views, no. 5. The magic lantern, c.1838 (hand-coloured litho) by Spooner, William (fl.1831-54); Private Collection

Crate containing Harry Houdini, being lowered into New York Bay, 1912 (b / w photo)
1766199 Crate containing Harry Houdini, being lowered into New York Bay, 1912 (b/w photo) by Dietz (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Houdini, born Erik Weisz (1874-1926) in Budapest

Playbill advertising performances by English illusionist and ventriloquist Evanion (Henry Evans) at the Assembly Rooms
6030956 Playbill advertising performances by English illusionist and ventriloquist Evanion (Henry Evans) at the Assembly Rooms, Broadstairs, Kent, 1890 (litho) by English School

W D LeRoy, F O Harrell, Advertisements (litho)
5236362 W D LeRoy, F O Harrell, Advertisements (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: W D LeRoy, F O Harrell, Advertisements)

Poster, Les Magique Leons, Whirlwind Illusionists
Theatre poster, Les Magique Leons, Whirlwind Illusionists in the Palace of Mystery

R F Leroy, Magician and Illusionist (litho)
3100949 R F Leroy, Magician and Illusionist (litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: R F Leroy, Magician and Illusionist)

The Enigma (litho)
PER358450 The Enigma (litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: L Enigme; ); French, out of copyright

Page from article on Famous Illusions Exposed, 1903 (b / w photo)
5986710 Page from article on Famous Illusions Exposed, 1903 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Page from article on Famous Illusions Exposed, 1903)

Page from article on Famous Illusions Exposed, 1903 (b / w photo)
5986709 Page from article on Famous Illusions Exposed, 1903 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Page from article on Famous Illusions Exposed, 1903)

Harry Houdini c. 1898 (litho)
1194746 Harry Houdini c. 1898 (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Return of the greatest of all magicians, the Houdinis, Harry)

Try your fortune
Kiyo Murakami

Magic of the season
Kiyo Murakami

Uri Geller at London Airport pictured in the cockpit of a Concorde. 1st November 1978

Uri Geller at London Airport standing in front of a Concorde. 1st November 1978

Uri Geller at London Airport. 1st November 1978

Uri Geller, Illusionist, 1st November 1974

Aladdin Magician

Monsieur Philippe, at the Strand Theatre, 1845. Creator: Unknown
Monsieur Philippe, at the Strand Theatre, 1845. Magic show on the London stage. M. Philippe, the conjuror...has taken the Strand Theatre for a series of " Soirees Mysterieuses

Indian Mango Tree Trick Date: 1888

Playbill for appearance by Houdini at Palace Theatre, Halifax, pub. 1903 (lithograph)
Playbill for appearance by Harry Houdini (1874 – 1926) at Palace Theatre, Halifax, pub. 1903 (lithograph)

Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin, French, 1855
Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin in 1855, (1855-1915). Robert-Houdin (1805-1871) has been described as the father of modern conjuring

Cerces, the daughter of the Sun, enchanted men with drinks made from magic herbs

The magic lantern. A 19th century travelling magician. From L Univers Illustre, published Paris, 1859

Poster for performance in England of escape artist and illusionist Harry Houdini from circa 1905. Hungarian-American Harry Houdini, born Eric Weisz, 1874 - 1926

Poster from 1894 advertising American magician Harry Kellar, 1849 - 1922

Poster from 1900 advertising American magician Harry Kellar, 1849 - 1922. The levitation illusion was one of his most popular

Harry Houdini, born Erik Weisz, 1874 - 1926. Hungarian born American escape artist, magician and stunt performer. From a poster advertising a performance dating from circa 1900

Colour lithograph poster format advertising Harry Houdini, magician, illusionist and stunt performer

Magician performing trick on table with cup and balls
Coloured print of illustration, entitled " Escamoteur: La premiere muscade la voila" showing magician performing trick on table with cup and balls, circa 1810. HPG/8/2/1 (xi)"

Maskelyne and Cookes Mysteries - The Artists Dream
Promotional postcard for Maskelyne and Cookes The Artists Dream. John Nevil Maskelyne and George Cooke, presented for the first time to a West End audience an entertainment they had been giving for

Mephisto The Mysterious
Promotional postcard for Mephisto The Mysterious The Worlds Most Marvellous Illusionist. In a bewildering Phantasy of Modern Miracles

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"The Art of Illusion: Unveiling the Mysteries of Magic" Step into the enchanting world of illusionists, where reality and fantasy intertwine to captivate audiences across time. From the early days of magic to modern-day marvels, these masters of deception have left an indelible mark on our collective imagination. In 1863, French illusionist Henri Robin astounded spectators with a spirit photograph that showcased him alongside a ghostly apparition. This double-exposed publicity photograph by Eugène Thiébault captured the essence of Robin's otherworldly performances. The cup and balls trick has been a staple in every magician's repertoire, mesmerizing audiences for centuries. Magicians like Robert Houdin and Carl Hertz perfected this classic illusion, leaving spectators bewildered as they witnessed objects seemingly vanish and reappear before their very eyes. Maskelyne and Cooke's "The Artist's Dream" brought magic to life on stage. John Nevil Maskelyne and George Cooke wowed crowds with their innovative tricks, pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible in the realm of illusions. Professor De Kolta took center stage in 1902 with two women by his side, showcasing his mastery over intricate illusions. His silver gelatin print immortalized this momentous performance for generations to come. Robert Houdin embarked on a government mission to Algeria in 1852, using his magical skills as part of diplomatic endeavors. This wood engraving from around 1880 depicts Houdin during this extraordinary chapter in his career. Harry Houdini became synonymous with escapology through death-defying acts such as his Torture Cell escape illusion. American posters from 1914 showcase his daring feats that pushed both himself and the limits of human capability. Not content solely with captivating audiences through magic alone, Harry Houdini appeared before a Senate committee in 1926 to expose fake spiritualists preying on the vulnerable.