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Al Torsten

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Al Torsten
BornAlexander Franz August Simoneit
February 24, 1917
Tula, Russia
DiedNovember 29, 2004 (age 87)
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Al Torsten (1917-2004), an IBM Order of Merlin member, had a very successful magic career in post-war Europe.

Biography

Torsten was founder of the Koenigsbereg, East Prussia Magic Zirkel Society.

He grew up in Latvia and Lithuania and was fluent in five languages. He served four years as a translator and code-breaker on the Russian front.

After a starting a successful magic career in Europe, Torsten moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1956. He would later work at the Illinois Institute of Technology as a purchasing agent.[1]

Awards and honors

Second place winner of the International Prize for Magic in 1950.


References

  1. The Linking Ring, Vol. 85, No. 2, February 2005, Broken Wands, Alexander Simonelt-Torsten, page 129.
  • Cover, Magische Welt, Vol. 3, No. 2, April 1954, Unser Titelbild, Die Torstens, by Dr. W. Weyeneth, Zürich, page 31; Autobiographie, by Al Torsten, page 32
  • The Linking Ring, Vol. 38, No. 8, October 1958, Chicago's newest magical citizen, by Frances Ireland Marshall, page 31
  • Magie (Magischer Zirkel v. Deutschland), Vol. 77, No. 2, Februar 1997, Zum 80. Geburtstag von Al Torsten, by Eckhard Quednau, page 85
  • The Linking Ring, Vol. 79, No. 8, August 1999, Pictures from the Past, page 56; Answer to Pictures from the Past - Alexander Franz Simoneit, page 93
  • Magische Welt, Vol. 54, No. 1, Januar-Februar 1954, Abschied, page 42
  • Bio-bibliographisches Lexikon der Zauberkünstler Edition Volker Huber, April 2002, Siemoneit, Alexander = Al Torsten; The Torstens, dt. Zauberkünstler (*24.02.1917 Tula, Russland), page 315
  • https://www.geni.com/people/Alexander-Simoneit/6000000001564250715