Hiding the Elephant: How Magicians Invented the Impossible and Learned to Disappear by Teller Jim Steinmeyer

Author:Teller Jim Steinmeyer [Steinmeyer, Teller Jim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-08-19T09:47:00+00:00

We now have a pretty good idea what was visible to Kellar beyond the footlights-a mass of wires, an iron platform, and a tangle of overhead leaf springs. It would have been just enough to drive him mad. The physics of Maskelyne's levitation was much more intricate than what Kellar saw. Maskelyne realized that Kellar would be looking for an informer to bribe, and he recruited a member of his cast, a comic actor named Teague, as a double agent. Teague played Stumpy, "a Factotum," the character that stood on stage during the levitation, handed over the hoop and assisted Maskelyne. Kellar would realize that Teague had a privileged view of the apparatus. Maskelyne coached Teague in the role of spy and armed him with sketches that would throw Kellar off the scent should the American ask for the secret.

Kellar never fell for it. He had already been bribing his own spy. Incredibly, he had chosen Paul Valadon, the current star at Egyptian Hall. Valadon, handpicked by David Devant to fill in during his tours, had been working four seasons for Maskelyne. He had also been given a role in "The Entranced Fakir," which meant he'd had a chance to see the secret. Kellar told Valadon that his talents were being wasted in London. He wanted the German magician for his American tour, asking him to join the company and present his own act. Valadon was in a bind. He must have been loyal to Maskelyne for his success, but realized that, in the shadow of the famous David Devant, he would never be more than one of the many magicians at Egyptian Hall.

As a final inducement, Kellar hinted that he would be retiring soon and would introduce another magician as his successor. Valadon's sense of fair play must have quickly curdled with the promise of his own American career. Kellar asked if Valadon could possibly describe the apparatus that was being used at Egyptian Hall, just a simple diagram and description. Where do the wires connect? What are they made of? What's above the stage and what's below it? Kellar helpfully suggested that he would be happy to take it from there.

The secret of Maskelyne's levitation, which in America became known as the Kellar Levitation, is the closest thing magicians have ever had to the Holy Grail. It was treated like stolen plunder, then bestowed like the crown jewels, proudly polished and displayed by the greatest magicians of the century. It was technology turned into poetry.

Valadon accepted the assignment, delivered his rough sketches and clandestinely met with Kellar to discuss what he knew about the illusion. He revealed that the levitation was a sophisticated lever. Cooke was lying on a metal cradle, which supported his back and legs. This extended backwards like a shelf, away from his audience, for several inches. Just next to him was the Maskelyne gooseneck, so the hoop could be passed over him. Beyond the gooseneck were two short metal bars. Attached to these were the sets of fine wires that spread up toward the ceiling.

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