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successful as a stage magician, Alexander became world-famous for his "psychic" abilities. Though he did perform
some conventional magic in his act, his reputation-maker was a segment in which he
answered questions "mentally sent" to him by audience members. His real fortune
was made by doing private readings for large fees; the IRS claimed that
after he retired in the early
1920's he owed them over $3 million in back taxes. Alexander also wrote The
Life and Mysteries of the Celebrated Dr. Q, about mentalism, and was rumored
to be the money behind Floyd Thayer's magic
manufacturing venture. On retiring for the second time in 1943, he sold his entire act to
mentalist Robert Nelson, including all
remaining publicity materials. So much stock remained that
at least two magicians were able to subsequently perform as
"Alexander". The powerful images on his posters
make them highly collectible today. "The Man Who
Knows" poster is frequently used by TV and movie set
designers in rooms that need a magical mood.
Enjoy
the facts here, but please
don't copy this information and post it
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our permission first. It took
many hours of research to compile. If
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