#timelessmagic

Alexander Herrmann (1844-1896) was born in Paris and was “kidnapped” by his eldest brother, the famous magician Compars Herrmann, who took him on tour to Russia where at age 8 Alexander debuted for the Czar Alexander II. Herrmann rarely performed the dangerous bullet catch feat due to Adelaide’s “deep-rooted aversion to the trick”. But, on those rare occaissions, his technical assistant was always Billy Robinson. Herrmann’s poster can be seen in The Chicago Magic Lounge's library bookcase.

Timeless Magic brings to life the legendary 19th century magicians immortalized in the lithographic posters lining the walls of The Chicago Magic Lounge.

Timeless Magic - runs Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. through October 2nd. Reservations and information are available online at chicagomagiclounge.com

Howard Thurston, Harry Houdini, and Harry Blackstone each passed through the Columbian Exposition and figure into Timeless Magic.

“The palace intrigue behind Chicago’s 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition is alive and well in this tidy 60-minute act from magician Sean Masterson. The narrative revolves around a cryptic coin dating back to the World's Fair, acquired by Masterson when he was a boy.” The Chicago Reader

The Chicago Reader says: Timeless Magic now playing at the Chicago Magic Lounge "functions as a historical anthology, highlighting the performers and the tricks...of magic’s golden era."

Albini (1860-1913) began is career performing the "Girl To Gorilla", a young woman steps into a cage and visibly transforms into a gorilla. He toured with a large illusion show changing his name from Laski to Rossini to Albini without ever becoming famous before his untimely death in a Chicago hotel room. Harry Blackstone bought Albini’s illusions from his estate and found the fame that had eluded Albini. Visit Albini’s three-sheet lithograph in the south hallway of the Chicago Magic Lounge.

Chung Ling Soo (1861-1918) performed exclusively in London but became known world wide for his dramatic performance of the bullet catch trick. He famously challenged the Chinese magician Ching Ling Foo to a “magic duel” before a panel of journalists from London’s Weekly Disptach newspaper. See Soo’s vivid litho posters at The Chicago Magic Lounge in the bar and above the fireplace.