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Billy Russell
From Magicpedia, the free online encyclopedia for magicians by magicians.
Billy Russell | |
Cover of Sphinx (Jan 1911) | |
Born | William Austin Russell January 21, 1880 Batavia, New York |
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Died | December 6, 1966 (age 86) |
Biography
In 1898, Russell toured for several years with his "A Night in Wonderland" act and moved on to school shows when vaudeville died.
Later he prepared acts for the top magicians and escape artists of his day. Russell created Houdini's paper bag escape, first performed by Harry in his vaudeville act at Syracuse, New York and built the Milk Can Escape from Houdini's original drawings.
Russell also approved many of Howard Thurston's illusions before they were built.
In 1934, the International Brotherhood of Magicians held its world convention in Batavia in his honor .
Books
- Tricks with Cards (1900)
- Conjuring Tricks (1908)
- Ventriloquism for Amateurs (1908)
- Amateur Conjuring (1909)
- Tricks and Puzzles for Winter Evenings (1909)
References
- Cover Edwards Monthly April 1910
- Cover Sphinx May 1916
- Billy Russell by Gene Gordon, Linking Ring, May 1947.
- Obit Genii 1967 January
- Magicol No. 75 (May 1985) Cover