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

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.