Paul Valadon

Paul Valadon (1867 - April 23, 1913) was born Adolph Waber in Germany.

Valadon was was a contemporary in England with John Nevil Maskelyne. He started as a hairdresser working in London, who studied and practiced magic in his spare time. He obtained one or two small engagements, and thus encouraged determined to take up magic as a profession. He eventually got an engagement at the Egyptian Hall.

He was an expert in sleights and misdirection, and invented an ingenious second-sight code which he worked very successfully with his English wife

Valadon's big chance came when Harry Kellar was searching for successor to carry on his show. Kellar saw Valadon perform in London and proposed a partnership. Unfortunately, Kellar dispensed with Valadon over conflicts in personalities and appointed Howard Thurston to his place. From that time, Valadon gradually declined in popularity and wealth. He died in Phoenix, Arizona, leaving his son, Paul Valadon, Jr. a penniless orphan at 13. Valadon, before his death, requested his son not to spend any money for a gravestone because he knew that the boy would have enough responsibilities in just taking care of himself.

Carl Rosini, then vice president of the Magicians Guild, suggested they make an effort to discover the location of his Paul Valadon's grave. Bert Easley, while in Phoenix, Arizona for business, checked cemetery records and found the unmarked grave in Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery.

The Magicians Guild arranged for the grave marker; a stone with the name "Paul Valadon", the dates 1867 and 1913 separated by a high hat crossed by a wand. On Sunday, June 27, 1948, a dedication services were held at the grave by the Mystic 13, I. B. M. Ring No. 55.