Ebook - Mike Caveney & William Rauscher - Servais Le Roy, Monarch of Mystery (Digital Download)
Description & Effect
Discover the Enigma of Servais Le Roy
Step into the glittering world of turn-of-the-century magic with 'Servais Le Roy, Monarch of Mystery,' a compelling digital biography by acclaimed authors Mike Caveney and William Rauscher. This ebook meticulously chronicles the astonishing life and career of Servais Le Roy, an unparalleled performer and ingenious inventor of illusions. Revered by his contemporaries, Le Roy earned the high praise of Harry Houdini, struck apprehension in Howard Thurston, and was lauded by Harry Kellar as 'the most finished artist he had ever seen.' Delve into the fascinating narrative of a man who truly shaped the landscape of magical entertainment.
The Dynamic Duo and Beyond
The story extends beyond Le Roy himself to feature his equally captivating partners. His wife, the remarkable Talma, known globally as 'The Queen of Coins,' demonstrated a sleight-of-hand prowess often compared to the legendary T. Nelson Downs. Adding a comedic flair, the rotund Leon Bosco delighted audiences with his innovative bird illusions. Together, as Le Roy, Talma and Bosco – 'The Comedians de Mephisto' – they crafted full evenings of magical spectacle that captivated audiences worldwide, setting a new standard for stage magic.
Unearthing Untold Secrets and Triumphs
This comprehensive biography traces their journey from Le Roy's formative visits to London's Egyptian Hall with David Devant, through their initial successes in England's music halls and American vaudeville during the 1890s, to their eventual international stardom. Drawing from a wealth of primary sources, including William Rauscher's personal friendship with Le Roy's chief assistant Elizabeth Ford, and Le Roy's own previously unpublished notebook, Caveney and Rauscher have uncovered a treasure trove of information. Readers will find never-before-revealed illusion secrets, an inspiring account of Le Roy's ascent to global fame, and the poignant details of his catastrophic final performance and heart-wrenching demise. If you appreciated the depth of 'Carter the Great' or 'The Great Raymond,' this digital download offers an equally enriching dive into magic history.
Original Specs
ABOUT SERVAIS LE ROY: MONARCH OF MYSTERY:
As a performer and inventor of magic and illusions, Servais Le Roy had no peer. Harry Houdini praised him, Howard Thurston feared him and Harry Kellar called him the most finished artist he had ever seen.
Mrs. Le Roy, known around the world as Talma: The Queen of Coins, was often compared to that great sleight-of-hand expert, T. Nelson Downs, and the rotund Leon Bosco induced gales of laughter by switching the heads on two living birds. Together, as Le Roy, Talma and Bosco – The Comedians de Mephisto, they produced a full evening of magical entertainment unlike anything the world had ever seen.
This is the story of their rise to fame starting with Le Roy’s early visits to Egyptian Hall in London with his boyhood friend David Devant, his first success in England’s music halls and American vaudeville during the 1890s, and finally, international fame as a recognized star of the Variety stage.
During Le Roy’s amazing life he rubbed shoulders (and did battle) with many of the biggest names in show business. Drawing on a number of primary sources including William Rauscher’s long friendship with Le Roy’s chief assistant Elizabeth Ford, Le Roy’s previously unpublished notebook and on years of dedicated research, the authors were able to include previously unpublished illusion secrets, Le Roy’s inspirational rise to international fame and finally, his catastrophic final performance and heartbreaking demise.
If you enjoyed Mike Caveney’s biography on Carter the Great and William Rauscher’s book on The Great Raymond, you won’t want to miss Servais Le Roy – Monarch of Mystery.
1999 HC WITH DJ COPY 202/1000 – SIGNED AND IN
