That Old Black Magic is a history of the best known black stage
magicians performing in the United States since the colonial days,
featuring fascinating stories of pioneers of the magic profession.
Richard Potter was the first magician in America to make a name for him.
Jacob Kellies took time out of his performance career to fight for the
Union in the Civil War. Henry "Box" Brown escaped slavery by mailing
himself across the Mason Dixon Line, and became a traveling magician.
Black Carl, Alonzo Moore, and Professor Boomsky were assistants to the
great magician Alexander Herrmann before performing their own magic
acts. Many black performers decided to disguise themselves as Indian or
Hindu magicians in order to avoid racism and segregation in America, and
this book tells the fascinating stories of Princess Sotanki, Prince
Joveddah De Rajah, Ali Sadhoo, Professor Maharajah, and Majahara.
Professor J. Hartford Armstrong performed magic shows for black
audiences across the east coast, and his daughter followed in his
footsteps. The great Black Herman was a legendary magician during his
time. Fetaque Sanders paved the way for the next generation of black
magicians. All of their fascinating stories are finally told in this
important book on history.