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John Isley

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John Isley

Cover of Genii (1946)
BornJohn H. Isley
circa 1899
Baden, Switzerland
DiedJune 1, 1974 (age 74)

John Isley (c.1899-1974), also known as "Mystic Isely" and "Professor Isely," and was well known among magicians for his Anti-Gravico effect with a water bottle (originated by Bob Andre).

Biography

He was educated as an electrical engineer before becoming a professional magician, performing in Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Spain.

He met his wife, Frieda, in Switzerland and after their marriage they came to the United States in 1926, settling in Cleveland, Ohio.[1]

Isley was as a clerk at "Jean's Fun House" and later ran his own magic shop on 1715 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland.[2]

In 1965, he retired to St. Petersburg, Florida and became a member of SAM Assembly No. 82 (Clearwater, Florida), which gave out an annual "John Isley award" in his honor in the 1970s.[3]

References

  1. Cover Genii 1946 March
  2. Bob Andre's Anti-Gravico BY STUART CRAMER, Linking Ring, April 1985
  3. Obit, Genii 1974 April