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Dr. Jaks

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Revision as of 11:55, 20 June 2008 by Jpecore (Talk | contribs) (New page: Dr. Stanley Jaks (July 26, 1903 - January 5, 1960) was born Herbert Siegbert Jaks in Germany, but grew up in Switzerland. Stanley saw Okito at the age of 15 which sparked his fa...)

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Dr. Stanley Jaks (July 26, 1903 - January 5, 1960) was born Herbert Siegbert Jaks in Germany, but grew up in Switzerland.

Stanley saw Okito at the age of 15 which sparked his fascination with magic. He went to school to become an illustrator, before deciding to try his luck performing magic for a living. In his early 1930s, he performed with a partner, Jolowitz, in a comedy magic act billed as Jax and Jax.

In 1934, still living in Switzerland , he was performing his close-up magic as "Jack Stanley" for international figures as the King of Yugoslavia .

For many years Jaks corresponded with Ted Annemann, sending him material for his magazine "The Jinx." Ted added the "Doctor" to his name and printed the effects under the name "Dr. Jaks." When Jaks came to America, his agent suggested he be booked under that name.

He carried his magic props in a big red leather book that he called "The Book of Mystery". The front contained pages of autographs of famous people for whom he has performed. After these pages, it contained compartments from which he removed his props for his routines. He also used the book as a close-up mat (the back side being black).

Dr. Jaks first tried to come to the United States in 1938 in hopes of a new market for his talents with the help of his friend Max Holden. But World War II made the trip impossible. It was not until after the war in September of 1946 that he was able to finally secure a visa. In November, 1946, Dr. Jaks gave a command performance for President Harry Truman. Jaks became an American citizen in 1951.

Dr. Jaks spoke German and French fluently and occasionally would grope for words when speaking English, "How is it you say it?"

Eventually he started performing mentalism routines and put together his "Curiosities of the Mind" act which he performed at supper clubs with success. His biggest feature was the blindfolded duplication of anyone's signature, while writing upside down and backwards.

He was a contributor to many magic magazines and illustrated several books, including "One Man Mental Magic", "Conjuring With Christopher" and Bruce Elliott's "Classic Secrets of Magic."

He appeared on such television programs as "To Tell the Truth".

He died of a sudden heart attack in his apartment in New York. He was cremated and his ashes were sent to his native Germany.

Robert Bluemle has been in the process of writing an biography about Dr. Jaks for a number of years.

Books

  • "Dr. Stanley-Jaks und seine Geheimnisse" [Dr. Stanley-Jaks and his Secrets (German)
  • "Die mentalmagischen Experimente des Dr. Stanley Jaks" Volume 1 and Volume 2 (German)
  • The Incredible Dr. Stanley Jaks by Al Mann

The Incredible Dr. Jaks (audiorecording) by Stanley Jaks & Sid Lorraine