Elmer P. Ransom

Elmer P. Ransom
Cover of Sphinx (May 1911)
Born	September 19, 1862 New York City
Died	February 2, 1942 (age 79) Essex Falls, New Jersey

Elmer Pendleton Ransom (b.1862-d.1942) was one of the early Lyceum and one of the first Chautauqua magicians.

Biography

Ransom started professional in 1880 and toured America with his own show, and held the position in New York of top society entertainer for a long time. He played engagements frequently at Tony Pastor's Theatre.

Ransom was one of the group that met in the magic shop of the Martinka's in 1902 to form a organization that became known as Society of American Magicians. Elmer's SAM memberships number was 20 and he was elected president in 1910.

Ransom married Susan Irwin, known as "De De", who was his assistant for many year.

He was a magical historian having known personally all of the leading magicians of his day.

Ransom wrote the forward to Al Baker's book Magical Ways and Means (1941)

Ransom was particularly strong in anti-spiritualistic work and frequently duplicated their effects. He was later associated with Margaret Fox on her "confessional*' tour

The Sphinx, March 1940 issue was dedicated to Ransom and featured an article "Fifty Years a Star".

Note: Last name often misspelled "Ranson".

References

• Cover Sphinx May, 1911.
• The Sphinx, Vol. 31, No. 7, September 1932, Who's Who in Magic, page 262
• The Sphinx, Vol. 39, No. 1, March 1940, Cover, Fifty Years a Star, page 14
• The Sphinx, Vol. 40, No. 12, February 1942, Elmer P. Ransom Dies, page 349
• Genii Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 7, March 1942, Elmer P. Ransom: A LIFETIME IN MAGIC, page 259
• The Tops, Vol. 7, No. 3, March 1942, Elmer P. Ransom Dies, page 25
• Bio-bibliographisches Lexikon der Zauberkünstler Edition Volker Huber, April 2002, Ransom, Elmer P[endleton] USA Zauberkünstler (*19.09.1862 New York City; †02.02.1942), page 272