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Andrew Oehler

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Andrew Oehler
BornMarch 16, 1781
Frankfurt, Germany
Died?
CategoriesBooks by Andrew Oehler

Andrew Oehler (1781-?) started out building and exhibiting hot-air balloons then became a conjuror doing a Ghost Show similar to the Phantasmagoria shows.

Biography

Most of what is known about Oehler is from his autobiography "The Life, Adventures, and Unparalleled Sufferings of Andrew Oehler" (1811).

Oehler emigrated to the United States in 1803. He had traveled for a few years around Georgia and Tennessee as well as visiting Cuba, earning a living by building and exhibiting hot-air balloons and conducting outdoor firework experiments. He then took up conjuring and performing seances. He claims he was arrested as a sorcerer in Mexico where he was thrown into jail which was located underground and stayed for six months in solitary confinement.

He retired in 1809 in Trenton, New Jersey and wrote his autobiography.[1]

In Gibecière Vol. 7, No. 1 (202), Ricky Jay and Enrique Jiménez-Martinez casts doubt on the integrity of many of the stories in his book.

References

  1. Ricky Jay. Celebrations of Curious Characters. (2011): 65