The Scottish magician who inspired the great Houdini

Magician John Henry Anderson died in 1874, the identical yr Harry Houdini was born – but regardless of the 2 by no means assembly, Anderson was apparently among the many legendary escapologist’s biggest inspirations.

Anderson – who was born in 1814 in Aberdeenshire’s Kincardine O’Neil space – is assumed to have been among the many first magicians to drag a dwell rabbit out of a prime hat.

He turned generally known as “The Nice Wizard of the North” as his standing grew world wide.

After Anderson’s demise, famed illusionist Houdini travelled to Aberdeen, visited his fellow entertainer’s grave, and even began to pay for its maintenance.

Because the a centesimal anniversary of the Aberdeen Magical Society approaches, Anderson’s story is being retold for a brand new technology.

Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland are famed for things like the oil and gasoline business, the Northern Lights, and the common-or-garden native meals delicacy the buttery.

The world’s hyperlinks to the world of magic, nevertheless, are far much less well-known.

John Henry Anderson turned one of many largest names within the leisure world within the mid nineteenth Century.

As a boy, he had joined a travelling theatre firm.

It isn’t identified who launched him to magic or certainly taught him.

However as his experience grew he finally took his act to audiences world wide.

Dave Goulding is a magic historian, escapologist, and Aberdeen Magical Society’s vice-president.

“He was essentially the most well-known selection act within the UK for some time,” he informed BBC Scotland Information of Anderson.

“He took magic off the streets and legitimised it.”

Anderson opened a theatre in Glasgow, but it surely was later destroyed by fireplace.

He would then journey so far as Australia within the 1860s, and even carried out for Queen Victoria.

Anderson was seen as a assured self-publicist.

“He realised extra folks have been getting literate, which was then good for publicity,” Dave stated.

“He used to do daft issues, comparable to utilizing reverse moulds on butter to depart lovely designs.”

Anderson died the identical yr Houdini was born, however Dave stated Houdini was impressed by him “by his status” within the years that adopted.

Dave defined: “He was an important showman.

“This was an concept Houdini appreciated – a whole lot of his methods have been for publicity, he was promoting his exhibits.”

Anderson died on the age of 60.

Harry Houdini – his skilled title – was born as Erik Weisz in Budapest in 1874.

He discovered fame due to his extraordinary escapes.

These included liberating himself from chains, ropes, and straitjackets below water.

His title remains to be famend to this present day, far past simply magic circles.

Final yr’s Glastonbury music competition headliner Dua Lipa had a latest observe titled Houdini.

It options the lyric: “Catch me or I’m going Houdini”.

Within the early 1900s, Houdini made his one and solely go to to Aberdeen to carry out.

Whereas within the so-called Granite Metropolis, he took the prospect to go to John Henry Anderson’s grave in St Nicholas Kirkyard, and was photographed subsequent to it.

He determined to fund its maintenance.

Houdini died in 1926 on the age of 52.

The grave in Aberdeen nonetheless stands to this present day.

Dave Goulding stated Anderson’s grave is much from forgotten.

“I give it a tidy on occasion,” he stated.

“We get American magicians coming over and so they wish to see Anderson’s grave, as he’s nonetheless identified.

“Magicians know one another all through the world.”

Aberdeen Magical Society was based in 1926, coincidentally the identical yr Houdini died.

With its centenary approaching subsequent yr, particular occasions are being deliberate, together with an exhibition.

The society is interesting for historic magic artefacts that it might borrow and have.

“Aberdeen and the north east are residence to many magic luminaries which might be identified the world over,” Dave stated.

“In addition to highlighting the celebrities, we wish to be certain the upcoming exhibition tells the story of our society and its members, from 1926 to the current day.

“If anybody has any posters, programmes or different artefacts regarding the society, we might like to see them.”