Edward Maro

Edward Maro (September 25, 1869 - February 26, 1908) was born Walter Truman Best in Montpelier Vermont. He was one of the first successful headlining magician on the Lyceum and Chautauqua circuits who billed himself as the "Prince of Magic". He was a shadowgraphist, musician, and artist.

He worked from 1892 until his death. Was also a photographer and a member of a professional saxophone quartet. He also played the gogglepeg, a one stringed instrument of his own invention.

Maro spent his vacations near Leland, in Northern Michigan, at his workshop where he built and designed all the paraphernalia pertaining for his performances. When not doing magic he arranged or composed music, painted and sketched. He also tutored magician John Blackledge.

Eugene Laurant took his place on the circuit after his death.

Honors and Awards

• Cover of Mahatma October 1901

References

• Sphinx Vol. 07, March 1908
• http://sdrcdata.lib.uiowa.edu/libsdrc/details.jsp?id=/maro/1&ui=1
• Who's who in the lyceum By Alfred Augustus Wright (1906)