THE DISAPPEARING WOMAN Adelaide Herrmann

Adelaide Herrmann ruled the stage for fifty years as one the brightest stars of the Golden Age of Magic. After the death of her husband, renowned magician Herrmann the Great, Adelaide took center stage and toured for thirty years as one of the most famous magicians in the world. She was more well-known than her contemporary Houdini, and she continued performing until her death at age seventy-nine, when she was inexplicably forgotten for nearly a century.

Olivia interviews Merlin-Award-Winning Magician, Mentalist, and Anthropologist Paul Draper. Draper appears regularly on television and tours worldwide as a magician and entertainer.

Margaret Steele, magician and author of Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic, performs an homage to Adelaide Herrmann as one of her stage illusions.

*correction: in the interview Paul Draper mistakenly names the librarian of the Magic Castle as Lisa Cummings. Her name is Lisa Cousins*

Adelaide Herrmann
photo in public domain

Adelaide Herrmann and one of her ducks
photo in public domain

Adelaide Herrmann in 1899
photo courtesy of the Magic Circle collection

Electrocution! One of Adelaide Herrmann’s most exciting acts
photo in public domain

Adelaide Herrmann touring poster
photo in public domain

Adelaide Herrmann in her role of debunker of Spiritualism
photo in public domain

Adelaide Herrmann as Caglistro
photo in public domain

Adelaide Herrmann as Sleeping Beauty, 1903 Photo courtesy of Theatrical Portrait Photographs (TCS 28). Harvard Theatre Collection, Harvard University

This bust of Adelaide Herrmann is part of the collection “Masters of the Golden Age of Magic” on permanent loan to the Magic Castle by Mike Elizalde of Spectral Motion. The bust was sculpted by Joey Orosco and art directed by Mike Elizalde.

Alexander Herrmann
photo in public domain

Alexander Herrmann touring poster
photo in public domain

Olivia and Paul Draper
photo by London Reynolds

Paul Draper is an Anthropologist, Mentalist, Comedy Presenter, Mind-Reader, and Speaker, who has appeared on the History Channel, A&E, HBO, Hallmark, the Travel Channel, HGTV, and shows like Hell’s Kitchen, Pawn Stars, Ghost Adventures, Mindfreak, and House Hunters. In Las Vegas, he has headlined for many casinos, including seven years as house magician for the Venetian Hotel & Casino. He has also appeared Off Broadway in New York and on the West End in London. His website is www.mentalmysteries.com and you can find his Patreon here and access exclusive bonus content for as little as $5 a month!

THE DISAPPEARING WOMAN Adelaide Herrmann

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