Elmer P. Ransom

Elmer Pendelton Ransom (September 19, 1860 - February 2, 1942), born in New York City, one of the early Lyceum and one of the first Chautauqua magicians.

Ransom 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.

SAM president 1910

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 later elected president in 1910.

Ransom married Susan Irwin, known among as "De De", 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".

References

• Cover Sphinx May, 1911.
• Cover Sphinx, March 1940.
• Elmer P. Ransom: A LIFETIME IN MAGIC, Genii 1942 March