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Al Baker

From Magicpedia, the free online encyclopedia for magicians by magicians.
Revision as of 08:32, 5 April 2010 by Philippe billot (Talk | contribs) (Books)

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Al Baker (April 4, 1874 - October 24, 1951) was a professional magician born in Poughkeepsie, New York. Baker was known by most of his magical contemporaries as an outstanding M.C., author, and inventor.

Biography

By the time Baker was 21, he was already working in Vaudeville as magician and ventriloquist. Later he was performer at Coney Island as a Chautauqua & Lyceum headliner, where he also had a photo studio.

Baker was an inventor of many tricks that he marketed including his Dictionary Test, Al Baker Slates and his version of the Rice bowls. Many of his silk magic effects were included in Rice's Encyclopedia of Silk Magic. One of his creations was the Purse Frame.

Baker opened a magic shop with Martin Sunshine in Times Square.

Honors and Awards

Bibliography

Books

Manuscripts

  • The Twenty-Five Dollar Manuscript (Ca. 1929)
  • Al Baker's Pack (1932)
  • Cardially Yours (1934)
  • Effects 1, 2, 3 (Ca. 1939)
  • Card Trio (1948)

Contributions

  • Baker regularly contributed to The Sphinx and other magic magazines.

Compilations

Quotes

  • "No matter how bad the show, or how little the kids, or how hard it is to get their attention, take a live rabbit and coil of paper out of your hat and you're safe." The Secret Ways of Al Baker, page 135

References

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