Yesterday Steve Pellegrino wrote in his blog about a folder full of stuff he found, which prompted him to start a new category at Magic Rants about the history of magic. To get things rolling, he’s scanned a tent card for “An Evening of Magic” with Harry Blackstone and Lance Burton. He’s posted the scan as a PDF; please go have a look.
His post reminded me of a black and white 8×10 publicity photo I’ve been holding onto for many, many years. This photo ties in nicely with Steve’s post as it is a photo of Blackstone’s dad, Harry Blackstone, Sr. applying his makeup before a mirror. I love this picture and though you might like to take a peek at it.
There’s no question the Blackstone name is indelibly marked in the history books of magic. Here’s a nice site where you can learn more about father and son from someone who should know; Gay Blackstone.
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My conspiracy theory is that Harry Snr. never died, but was relocated under the MPP (Magician’s Protection Programme) and is living in California under the alias “Ron Wilson”. The resemblance is uncanny.
Ha! Now that you mention it…
Then again, I’m not sure his heart could have taken what’s happened to the artform he dearly loved.
And that reminds me of why I love reading old magic books. Far more often than you find in contemporary books, there was an almost religious reverence for what we do. Speaking to the topic of magic, it was almost as if they were approaching the Holy of Holies. I guess that’s why it’s such a thrill to read contemporary writings that have that sort of reverence. If what we do isn’t special, why do it?