Lesta

Lesta, (June 7, 1888 - January ?, 1981), born Clifford L. Jones in Pittsford, New York, was a Navy seaman , traveling semi-professional magician and cruise director.

Lesta, began by performing school shows, with Tommy Martin for a time as his assistant. He preformed as "World Traveler and Magician" in 1937 and did the Vanishing cage and canardy, chalk Talks, Rag Pictures, Card Fans, Cut and Restored Rope, and ended with the Vanishing Rooster.

In 1940, he married Avis Little and for the next 17 years they performed as "The Lestas, Society's Favorite Mystifiers" on the east coast.

Lesta was often referred by many as "the dean of Florida Magicians" and wrote a column in the Linking Ring called "Cliff Lesta Reports".

In 1955 Lesta won the award of the year from the Academy of Magical Arts for his "Birds of Burma" effect.

Books

• Seeing's Believing? (1937)

References

• Broken Wand - MUM, April 1981.
• Programmmes of Famous Magicians, 1937.
• New Tops, February 1964 (Cover)