The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-05
Our MAGIC IN EUROPE.
-.
A Revolution tn Black Art Caused by the
American Desire for Something New.

Il have been reading great deal lately
about the American invasion Of England"
said a manufacturer Of magical goods,
"but there is one branch Of our trade that
has escaped the attention Of the CONNER
cal writer's and statisticians, and that Is
the exporting of magical apparatus
Comparatively few persons not in
terested directly in magic know anything
of the enormous business done in conjuring
apparatus; but when tell you that there
are at least 100000 enthusiastic amateur
magicians in this country alone, to say
nothing of the professionals, some idea
can be formed of the trade in this line.
"A few years ago most OF the magical
apparatus sold in this country was imported
from Germany, the home of modern magic
Probably no other city in the world has
so many amateur magicians as Hamburg,
and no other city in the world has so many
shops devoted solely to the manufacture of
magical goods
Next to Hamburg, Nuremburg is the
most important city as regards the manu-
facture of magical apparatus and appli-
ances. The German workmen turn out
tho very finest goods and ma gcal apparatus
TO be worth anything at all must be of
the highest grade. Notwithstanding the
fact that only the most skilful work.
men could be employed in this work, the
prices on these German goods were 30 low
that II did not pay American dealers to
compete so they simply imported the APP
paratus from Germany and made a hand
some profit. Magical apparatus comes
high in this country.
HAfter while, however, the American
magician became tired Of doing the same
~ IA Ha Ip-
manded something new in the way Of
illusions and small tricks, or at least he
wanted new methods of achieving old
effects,
"rhe American dealer in magical goods
saw that he must put on his thinking cap
to improve upon the old tricks and to make
innovations. After while he began to
invent new tricks that We're far ahead Of
the old ones, and he began to make APP
paratus, based upon new principles,
"The American magicians appreciated
these efforts on the part OF the manufact-
urrrs, and they, too, began to invent new
tricks and devise new apparatus. So in
time an entirely new branch OF magic
grew up in this country.
"Then came the invasion of Europe by
the American magcans. They carried
with them their new tricks and completely
mystfied the foreign magiolans, who were
QUICK 10 Stt llldl NIit'y Wtlc III AdhB'i VI
Becoming out of date. SO they began to
send to America for their illusions and
apparatus, and slowly but surely, for.
eign trade grew up that has now reached
important proportions.
aOur manufacturers supply the mag-
cians of England France. Germany and
Italy with most of their tricks and all of
the best illusions of late years originated
in this country There are at least n score
Of large magical houses in America, who
do nothing else but turn out magical goods.
"Most Of the firms are located in New
York, Philadelphia Boston and Chicago.
All Of these houses support foreign buyers,
who are always on the lookout for some
novelty: but every year their usefulness
grows less Whenever there is anything
new and good in magic, the chances are
Atlantic"