Harry Blackstone Sr.
1885 - 1965
The Canadian Conservatory of Magic is proud to present its special section dedicated to the ephemeris of conjuring. This section explores the fascinating history of magic throughout the year, highlighting significant events, iconic artists, and innovations that have shaped this art. We invite enthusiasts and the curious to dive into the captivating world of illusion and magic and celebrate this extraordinary heritage.
Magic in history
01
November
1904: Thurston - New Orpheum - Minneapolis
1905: Leon Herrmann - Proctor's Twenty-third street - New York
1912: Thurston - Prospect Theatre - Cleveland
1916: Thurston - American Theatre - St-Louis
1917: Thurston - Prospect Theatre - Cleveland
1920: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
1949: Robert Harbin - Exhibition Garden - Vancouver
1958: Birth of Jim Steinmeyer
2022: Death of Max Maven (aged 71)
03
November
1902: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - New Orleans
1904: Thurston - New Orpheum - Minneapolis
1905: Leon Herrmann - Proctor's Twenty-third street - New York
1911: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1916: Thurston - American Theatre - St-Louis
1917: Thurston - Prospect Theatre - Cleveland
1920: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
1925: Blackstone - Lyceum Theatre - Elmira, NY
1932: Thurston begins a radio serial on the NBC network. Broadcast weekly every Thursday and Friday evening, the episodes will recount Thurston's exploits during his travels around the world
1949: Robert Harbin - Exhibition Garden - Vancouver
05
November
1900: Thurston - Palace Theatre - London
1904: Thurston - New Orpheum - Minneapolis
1906: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Lyceum Theatre - Detroit
1911: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - Grand Opera House - Akron
1914: Thurston's third marriage; this time, he wed Leotha Allison. Thurston would later adopt Leotha's daughter, Jane, who would become a major star of his show.
1916: Thurston - Garden Theatre - Kansas City
1917: Thurston - Prospect Theatre - Cleveland
1920: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
1949: Robert Harbin - Exhibition Garden - Vancouver
07
November
1904: Thurston - Columbia Theatre - St-Louis
1911: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - Grand Opera House - Akron
1916: Thurston - Garden Theatre - Kansas City
1917: Thurston - Prospect Theatre - Cleveland
1919: Thurston - Princess Theatre - Toronto
1991: Death of Ed Marlo (aged 78)
09
November
1904: Thurston - Columbia Theatre - St-Louis
1912: Thurston - Grand Opera House - Akron
1916: Thurston - Garden Theatre - Kansas City
1917: Thurston - Prospect Theatre - Cleveland
1922: Houdini gives a free show to disabled children at the Home and Hospital for Crippled Children in Newark, NJ
1985: Penn & Teller's first appearance on the NBC comedy show Saturday Night Live
11
November
1904: Thurston - Columbia Theatre - St-Louis
1912: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Toledo, OH
1916: Thurston - Garden Theatre - Kansas City
1917: Kellar's last public appearance as a magician at a tribute evening hosted by the "Society of American Magicians" at the New York Hippodrome. Harry Houdini, Raymond Hitchcock, Julius Zancig, and Takasi were among the attendees
1918: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
1919: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Rochester, NY
13
November
1912: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Toledo, OH
1916: Thurston - Boyd's Theatre - Omaha
1917: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Detroit
1918: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
1919: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Rochester, NY
1932: Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
1973: Death of Cardini (aged 77)
Born in Great Britain, Richard Valentine Pitchford worked primarily in the United States. After an unsuccessful attempt to make it as a stage magician in British music halls, he went to Australia, where he initially performed under the name Val Raymond before adopting Cardini. This new name emphasized his mastery of card manipulation and paid homage to the most famous magician of the time, Houdini. Cardini wore a tuxedo, cape, top hat, and white gloves, and was billed as "The Elegant Deceiver."
15
November
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1912: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Toledo, OH
1916: Thurston - Boyd's Theatre - Omaha
1917: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Detroit
1918: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
1919: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Rochester, NY
1927: Cardini - Palace Theatre - New York
1928: Blackstone - Strand Theatre - New Britain, CT
1932: Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
1995: The series "Paul Daniel's Secrets" begins on BBC1
2016: "David Blaine: Beyond Magic" airs on ABC
17
November
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1902:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
- Lafayette - Music Hall - Boston
1915: Houdini gives a free show at a children's hospital in San Francisco
1917: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Detroit
1919: Thurston - Lumberg Theatre - Utica
1927: Cardini - Palace Theatre - New York
1932: Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
1949: Robert Harbin - Palace Theatre - New York
19
November
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1902:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
- Lafayette - Music Hall - Boston
1912: Thurston - National Theatre - Dayton
1916: Thurston - Orpheum - Milwaukee
1917: Thurston - Imperial Theatre - Chicago
1919: Thurston - Lumberg Theatre - Utica
1927: Cardini - Palace Theatre - New York
1932: Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
2013: "David Blaine: Real or Magic" airs on ABC
21
November
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1902:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
- Lafayette - Music Hall - Boston
- Harry Jansen - Y.M.C.A. - Chicago
1905: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - National Theatre - Dayton
1915: Houdini - Orpheum - Oakland
1916: Thurston - Orpheum - Milwaukee
1917: Thurston - Imperial Theatre - Chicago
1919: Thurston - Van Curler Theatre - Schenectady, NY
1920: Alexander, The Man Who Knows - Orpheum - Nashville
1931: Thurston - Paramount Theatre - Springfield, MA
1932:
- Max Malini - Leamington Hotel - Oakland
- Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
- Cardini - Palladium Theatre - London
23
November
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1902: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
1905: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - National Theatre - Dayton
1915: Houdini - Orpheum - Oakland
1916: Thurston - Orpheum - Milwaukee
1917: Thurston - Imperial Theatre - Chicago
1920: Alexander, The Man Who Knows - Orpheum - Nashville
1928: Max Malini - Gibson Hotel - Cincinnati
1932:
- Cardini - Palladium Theatre - London
- Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
1994: "The World's Greatest Magic" airs on NBC
25
November
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1878: Robert Heller - Concert Hall - Philadelphia
1902: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
1905: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - High Street Theatre - Columbus
1915: Houdini - Orpheum - Oakland
1916: Thurston - Orpheum - Milwaukee
1917: Thurston - Shubert Theatre - Milwaukee
1918: Presentation in the United States of the second part of the film "The Master Mystery" with Houdini. The film was distributed by Octogon Films
1919: Thurston - Trent Theatre - Trenton, NJ
1920: Alexander, The Man Who Knows - Orpheum - Nashville
1932:
- Cardini - Palladium Theatre - London
- Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
1998: "The World's Greatest Magic 5" airs on NBC
27
November
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1902: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
1905: Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Cleveland
1906: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - High Street Theatre - Columbus
1915: Houdini - Orpheum - Oakland
1916: Thurston - National Theatre - Chicago
1917: Thurston - Shubert Theatre - Milwaukee
1919: Thurston - Trent Theatre - Trenton, NJ
1920: Alexander, The Man Who Knows - Atlanta Theatre - Atlanta
1932: Cardini - Palladium Theatre - London
1996: "The World's Greatest Magic 3" airs on NBC
29
November
1870: Alexander Herrmann - St. James Hall - London
1899: Death of Oscar Eliason (Dante the Great) at the age of 30
1902: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
1905: Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Cleveland
1906: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - High Street Theatre - Columbus
1915:
- Thurston - Crown Theatre - Chicago
- Houdini - Orpheum - Los-Angeles
1916: Thurston - National Theatre - Chicago
1917: Thurston - Shubert Theatre - Milwaukee
1919: Thurston - Trent Theatre - Trenton, NJ
1920: Alexander, The Man Who Knows - Atlanta Theatre - Atlanta
1932: Cardini - Palladium Theatre - London
2000: "David Blaine: Frozen in Time" airs on ABC
02
November
1903: Lafayette - Colonial Theatre - Cleveland
1904: Thurston - New Orpheum - Minneapolis
1905: Leon Herrmann - Proctor's Twenty-third street - New York
1911: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - Prospect Theatre - Cleveland
1916: Thurston - American Theatre - St-Louis
1917: Thurston - Prospect Theatre - Cleveland
1920: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
1925: Blackstone - Lyceum Theatre - Elmira, NY
1949: Robert Harbin - Exhibition Garden - Vancouver
2014: Premiere of the film "An Honest Liar" starring James Randi and Penn & Teller. The film is directed by Tyler Measom and distributed by Abramorama
04
November
1904: Thurston - New Orpheum - Minneapolis
1905: Leon Herrmann - Proctor's Twenty-third street - New York
1907: Death of Charles Arbré (Edward Baum) at the age of 61
1911: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912:
- Carter - Garden Theatre - Kansas City
- Thurston - Grand Opera House - Akron
1916: Thurston - American Theatre - St-Louis
1920: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
1925: Blackstone - Lyceum Theatre - Elmira, NY
1949: Robert Harbin - Exhibition Garden - Vancouver
06
November
1897: Buatier de Kolta - Hengler's Skating Palace - London
1904: Thurston - Columbia Theatre - St-Louis
1911: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - Grand Opera House - Akron
1915: The Baltimore American newspaper publishes an article stating that magician Harry Kellar is dying. He is said to be suffering from neuritis
1916: Thurston - Garden Theatre - Kansas City
1917: Thurston - Prospect Theatre - Cleveland
1920: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
08
November
1904: Thurston - Columbia Theatre - St-Louis
1911: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - Grand Opera House - Akron
1916: Thurston - Garden Theatre - Kansas City
1917: Thurston - Prospect Theatre - Cleveland
1957: First appearance of Michel le Magicien (Michel Cailloux) on the Radio-Canada program "La Boite à Surprise"
1978: Premiere of the film "Magic" starring Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret and Burgess Meredith. Directed by Richard Attenborough, the film was distributed by 20th Century Fox
10
November
1904: Thurston - Columbia Theatre - St-Louis
1912: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Toledo, OH
1916: Thurston - Garden Theatre - Kansas City
1917: Thurston - Prospect Theatre - Cleveland
1919: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Rochester, NY
12
November
1904: Thurston - Columbia Theatre - St-Louis
1906: Leon Herrmann - Hammerstein's Theatre - New York
1912: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Toledo, OH
1916: Thurston - Boyd's Theatre - Omaha
1917: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Detroit
1918: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
1919: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Rochester, NY
1932: Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
1949: Robert Harbin - Times Hall - New York
14
November
1912: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Toledo, OH
1916: Thurston - Boyd's Theatre - Omaha
1917: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Detroit
1918: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
1919: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Rochester, NY
1927: Cardini - Palace Theatre - New York
1932: Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
1946: Cardini - Loew's State Theatre - New York
1980: Second television show of Siegfried & Roy with the original cast of the Lido de Paris. The show was filmed at the Stardust Casino in Las Vegas and hosted by Lorn Green and Jayne Kennedy. It aired on NBC
1982: "Doug Henning's World of Magic: On Broadway" airs on NBC
2025: Premiere of the film "Now You See Me: Now You Don't" starring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Dave Franco. The film is directed by Ruben Fleischer and distributed by Lionsgate
16
November
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1912: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Toledo, OH
1917: Thurston - Lyceum Theatre - Detroit
1918: Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Buffalo
1927: Cardini - Palace Theatre - New York
1932: Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
1940:
- Birth of José Garcimore
- Visit the José Garcimore exhibition
1965:
- Death of Harry Blackstone (aged 80)
- Visit the Harry Blackstone exhibition
18
November
1845: John Henry Anderson's City Theatre in Glasgow is burned to the ground
1847: Birth of Buatier de Kolta
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1902:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
- Lafayette - Music Hall - Boston
1912: Thurston - National Theatre - Dayton
1918: Presentation in the United States of the first part of the film "The Master Mystery" with Houdini. The film was distributed by Octagon Films
1919: Thurston - Lumberg Theatre - Utica
1927: Cardini - Palace Theatre - New York
1932: Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
20
November
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1902:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
- Lafayette - Music Hall - Boston
1905: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - National Theatre - Dayton
1916: Thurston - Orpheum - Milwaukee
1917: Thurston - Imperial Theatre - Chicago
1919: Thurston - Van Curler Theatre - Schenectady, NY
1932: Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
22
November
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1902:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
- Lafayette - Music Hall - Boston
1905: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - National Theatre - Dayton
1915: Houdini - Orpheum - Oakland
1916: Thurston - Orpheum - Milwaukee
1917: Thurston - Imperial Theatre - Chicago
1919: Thurston - Van Curler Theatre - Schenectady, NY
1920: Alexander, The Man Who Knows - Orpheum - Nashville
1932:
- Cardini - Palladium Theatre - London
- Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
1995: "The World's Greatest Magic 2" airs on NBC
24
November
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1895: Birth of Cardini
1902: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
1905: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1915: Houdini - Orpheum - Oakland
1916: Thurston - Orpheum - Milwaukee
1917: Thurston - Imperial Theatre - Chicago
1919: Thurston - Trent Theatre - Trenton, NJ
1920: Alexander, The Man Who Knows - Orpheum - Nashville
1932:
- Cardini - Palladium Theatre - London
- Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
1997: "Champions of Magic II" airs on ABC
2012: Death of Lucien Boucher (Stéphano) at the age of 89
2018: Death of Ricky Jay (aged 72)
26
November
1865: The Wizard of the North - St. James' Hall - London
1869: The Davenport Brothers - Library Hall - Chicago
1878: Robert Heller - Concert Hall - Philadelphia
1902: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
1905: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1906: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - High Street Theatre - Columbus
1915: Houdini - Orpheum - Oakland
1916: Thurston - National Theatre - Chicago
1917: Thurston - Shubert Theatre - Milwaukee
1919: Thurston - Trent Theatre - Trenton, NJ
1920: Alexander, The Man Who Knows - Atlanta Theatre - Atlanta
1932:
- Cardini - Palladium Theatre - London
- Carter - Hollywood Playhouse - Los Angeles
1997: "The World's Greatest Magic 4" airs on NBC
28
November
1878: Death of Robert Heller (William Henry Palmer) (aged 45)
1902: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
1905: Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Cleveland
1906: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1910: Adelaïde Herrmann - Hammerstein's Victoria Theatre - New York
1912: Thurston - High Street Theatre - Columbus
1915:
- Houdini - Orpheum - Los-Angeles
- Thurston - Crown Theatre - Chicago
1916: Thurston - National Theatre - Chicago
1917: Thurston - Shubert Theatre - Milwaukee
1919: Thurston - Trent Theatre - Trenton, NJ
1920: Alexander, The Man Who Knows - Atlanta Theatre - Atlanta
1932: Cardini - Palladium Theatre - London
30
November
1902: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - San Francisco
1905: Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Cleveland
1906: Houdini - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1912: Thurston - High Street Theatre - Columbus
1915:
- Thurston - Crown Theatre - Chicago
- Houdini - Orpheum - Los-Angeles
1916: Thurston - National Theatre - Chicago
1917: Thurston - Shubert Theatre - Milwaukee
1920: Alexander, The Man Who Knows - Atlanta Theatre - Atlanta
1932: Cardini - Palladium Theatre - London
November 23, 1994
The World's Greatest Magic was a television event broadcast on the American network NBC between 1994 and 1998. Produced by Hearst Tribune Media, in association with Caesars World Entertainment, this annual event, presented during Thanksgiving weekend, featured the world's greatest stars of magic. Filmed primarily at the Circus Maximus theater at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the acts presented to the public ranged from close-up magic to grand illusions. The first special was hosted by Robert Urich, the second by Alan Thicke, and the last three by John Ritter. Gary Pudney and Bob Jaffe produced the shows. Gary Ouellet was the co-producer, writer, and principal magic consultant. Kent Weed directed, Simon Miles designed the lighting, and Bruce Ryan created the magnificent set design.