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Bert Douglas

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Revision as of 18:37, 13 October 2008 by Jpecore (Talk | contribs) (Bibliography)

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Bert Douglas (May, 1897 - March 8, 1974), born Douglas Robert Smith in Aberdeen, Scotland, was a prolific author and inventor of magic living most of his life in Canada.

Biography

Douglas was the youngest of a family of eight. From an early age in Scotland, he was captivated by magic. His boyhood ambition was to follow in the footsteps of Professor Anderson, the "Wizard of the North". As a young magician, he adopted the title "Mr. Smith - the Uncanny Aberdonian" and at the age of fifteen, he wrote his first article for the Magic Wand.

He served for over four years in World War One. Following his marriage in 1920, he immigrated to Toronto, Canada where he was employed in the Motive Power Department of Canadian National Railways. There, he chose the name Bert Douglas for professional purposes, by transposing his name. He became friends Sid Lorraine whom he would meet almost daily over lunch in downtown Toronto.

During his life, Douglas made over two hundred contributions to magic magazines. In addition, he was the author of sixteen books, several were devoted to collections of patter including one for Dell O’Dell. He also created dozens of tricks which were purchased and marketed by various magic dealers.

Not known as a performer, he did performed at various church gatherings, Sunday schools, Christmas concerts and family gatherings.

He retired from the railways in 1962. In latter years of his life, Douglas developed a series of tricks designed for workshops on the subject of safety called "The Magic of Safety". Several articles on the program were published in 1967 through 1969 in New Tops and Genii. In the 1940's he invented the game of Pic-O.

He died in Toronto of a heart attach while shopping. A tribute by Sid Lorraine appeared in May 1974 issue of New Tops.

Bibliography

  • Master Club Tricks with Patter (1934)
  • Magical Patter
  • Magic as you like it
  • Patter in Rhyme
  • Magic for Men
  • The A.B.C. Book of Patter
  • Old Tricks Made New
  • Abbott's Cigarette MAgic
  • Masonic Magic
  • Original Magic for all

References