Al Baker

Al Baker (April 4, 1874 - October 24, 1951) was a professional magician born in Poughkeepsie, New York. Baker was known by most of his magical contemporaries as an outstanding M.C., author, and inventor.

Biography

By the time Baker was 21, he was already working in Vaudeville as magician and ventriloquist. Later he was performer at Coney Island as a Chautauqua & Lyceum headliner, where he also had a photo studio.

Baker was an inventor of many tricks that he marketed including his Dictionary Test, Al Baker Slates and his version of the Rice bowls. Many of his silk magic effects were included in Rice's Encyclopedia of Silk Magic. One of his creations was the Purse Frame.

Baker opened a magic shop with Martin Sunshine in Times Square.

Honors and Awards

• Dean of the Society of American Magicians from 1941-1951.

Bibliography

Books

• Al Baker's Book One (1933)
• Al Baker's Book Two (1935)
• Magical Ways and Means (1941)
• Mental Magic (1949)
• Pet Secrets (1951)

Manuscripts

• The Twenty-Five Dollar Manuscript (Ca. 1929)
• Al Baker's Pack (1932)
• Cardially Yours (1934)
• Effects 1, 2, 3 (Ca. 1939)
• Card Trio (1948)

Contributions

• Baker regularly contributed to The Sphinx and other magic magazines.

Compilations

• The Secret Ways of Al Baker by The Miracle Factory (2003)

Quotes

• "No matter how bad the show, or how little the kids, or how hard it is to get their attention, take a live rabbit and coil of paper out of your hat and you're safe." The Secret Ways of Al Baker, page 135

References

• http://www.compumagic.com/sam35/al_baker.html
• http://www.nysun.com/new-york/coney-island-love-and-magic/37515/
• M-U-M magazine, September 1982.
• Genii Forum Book of the Month
• archive.denisbehr.de
• Cover Genii March 1948

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