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Harry G. Cooke
| Harry G. Cooke | |
 | |
| Born | Horatio Green Cooke February 1, 1844 |
|---|---|
| Died | June 23, 1924 (age 80) Los Angeles, California |
Professor Harry G. Cooke (1844-1924), a veteran of the American Civil War, took up magic as a profession after his service and toured the country with marked success.[1] Cooke performed for over 40 years until he retired in 1907, settling in Los Angeles, California.
Biography
Cooke enlisted in military service at the age of seventeen.
He kept a two dollar bill which was presented to him by President Lincoln on one occasion when he was performing before the president and his cabinet. He was an active member of the Los Angeles Society of Magicians (which he served as president) and a life long friend of Harry Kellar. [2] At the time of his death, he was considered the oldest living Magician in the United States. His SAM number was 780.
A film made in California of Harry Kellar and Harry Cooke was taken by Mr. Ford of the Ford Film Company. According to the Kellar Book by Mike Caveney and Bill Miesel, the footage still exists and portions can be seen on the A&E TV Special "The Story of Magic" and also the PBS special "The Art of Magic". [3][4]
A book authored by M. R. Cannon entitled: "Lincoln's Scout - The Diary of Horatio Cooke - Soldier, Spy, Escape Artist" was published at Amazon Books in 2021. Along with a transcription of Cooke's diary, the book contains over 100 color and black & white photographs, playbills, signed letters from Houdini and Kellar, newspaper articles, etc., from Cooke's personal scrapbook as well as other sources.
References
- ↑ http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=80097706)
- ↑ Magical Bulletin, February 1923
- ↑ http://deancarnegie.blogspot.com/2011/08/civil-war-era-magician-part-6.html
- ↑ Sphinx, July, 1924