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[[File: Namreh1.png|right|thumb|200px|[[ Herman L. Weber]]]]


'''Herman L. Weber''' (b.1900-d.1953) performed as ''Namreh'' (Herman backwards).
'''Harry Houdini''' (March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian American magician, escapologist (widely regarded as one of the greatest ever), and stunt performer, as well as a skeptic and investigator of spiritualists, film producer, and actor.


== Biography ==
== Biography ==


Herman Ludwig Weber was a nationally known magician who performed under a variety of stage names including “Namreh,” “Namreh the Great,” “Weber the Wizard,” "The Wizard Weber," and "Mr. Hocus Pocus.” A magician since age 18, he was a friend of other famous magicians such as [[Harry Blackstone Sr.]], [[Howard Thurston]] and [[Harry Houdini]]. Weber published several books about magic in his lifetime.
[[File: HarryHoudini2.png|right|thumb|200px|[[Harry Houdini]]]]


Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States, the son of Daniel George Weber and Bertha V. Ludwig, Weber later recalled that he first became interested in magic at the age of five or six when he saw a magic show at Central Park in Allentown. When he was seven, a magic catalog from Schwartz & Co., Reading, Pennsylvania further roused his interest in performing magic tricks. An order to Sears, Roebuck and Co. brought him a set of tricks and his first magic wand for the grand sum of $4.98. In those years, Allentown was a hotbed of magic and young Weber received encouragement and advice from many older magicians. At the age of fifteen, he was giving magic shows in the front parlor of his house on North 17th street. Soon he was good enough to appear at the Hotel Allen.  
Initially, Houdini's magic career resulted in little success. He performed in dime museums and sideshows, and even doubled as "the Wild Man" at a circus.
Early in his career, Houdini focused on traditional card tricks. At one point, he billed himself as the "King of Cards". But he soon began experimenting with escape acts.
In 1893, while performing with his brother "Dash" at Coney Island as "The Brothers Houdini", Harry met and married fellow performer Bess ([[Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner]]). Bess soon replaced Dash in the act, which became known as "The Houdinis", and in 1894 they were married. For the rest of Houdini's performing career, Bess would work as his stage assistant.
He had changed his name to Harry Houdini because the French conjurer, [[Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin]] was one of his biggest inspirations.


[[Herman L. Weber|Read more about Herman L. Weber…]]
[[Harry Houdini |Read more about Harry Houdini...]]

Revision as of 13:56, 27 October 2024

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Harry Houdini (March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian American magician, escapologist (widely regarded as one of the greatest ever), and stunt performer, as well as a skeptic and investigator of spiritualists, film producer, and actor.

Biography

Initially, Houdini's magic career resulted in little success. He performed in dime museums and sideshows, and even doubled as "the Wild Man" at a circus. Early in his career, Houdini focused on traditional card tricks. At one point, he billed himself as the "King of Cards". But he soon began experimenting with escape acts. In 1893, while performing with his brother "Dash" at Coney Island as "The Brothers Houdini", Harry met and married fellow performer Bess (Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner). Bess soon replaced Dash in the act, which became known as "The Houdinis", and in 1894 they were married. For the rest of Houdini's performing career, Bess would work as his stage assistant. He had changed his name to Harry Houdini because the French conjurer, Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin was one of his biggest inspirations.

Read more about Harry Houdini...