Harry Kellar | |
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Born | Heinrich Keller July 11, 1849 Erie, Pennsylvania |
Died | March 10, 1922 Los Angeles, California | (aged 72)
Resting place | Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery |
Occupation | Illusionist |
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Harry Kellar (born Heinrich Keller; July 11, 1849 – March 10, 1922) was an American magician who presented large stage shows during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Kellar was a predecessor of Harry Houdini and a successor of Robert Heller and Isaiah Hughes, under whom he apprenticed. He was often referred to as the "Dean of American Magicians" and performed extensively on five continents. One of his most memorable stage illusions was the levitation of a girl advertised as the "Levitation of Princess Karnac", copied from an illusion invented by John Nevil Maskelyne, which was later bought by Harry Blackstone Sr.
He was a longtime customer of the Martinka Magic Company, which built many of his illusions and sets, including the "Blue Room".