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Samuel Bellachini

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Bellachini (1828-1885), born Samuel Berlach in Poland, was an officer in the Prussian service and one of the most popular conjurers in Germany.

Samuel Bellachini
BornSamuel Berlach
May 5 1828
Poland
DiedJanuary 25 1885 (age 56)
NationalityPolish

In 1846 he took up magic performing mostly in Germany, winning the title of "Court Conjurer." The story goes that during a performance where Kaiser Wilhelm I was in attendance, Bellachini did his "Magic Inkhorn" effect where a pen would only write on his command. He handed the pen and a sheet of paper to the king, with the request that he write something. When asked what to write, he told him "Bellachini is the Court Conjurer".

A feature of his act, producing eggs from his assistant's mouth, is described in Hoffmann's Later Magic.

He also did a side business in magical apparatus, which he sold to amateurs.

Bellachini suffered a stroke in 1882, which weakened his hands, making him unable to execute his best effect. In 1883, he lost his son, whose death was caused by the premature explosion of a pistol. A few years later, he suffered a final stroke that carried him off quickly.[1]

References

  1. Around the World with a Magician and a Juggler by Hardin J. Burlingame (1891)