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| Robert Nelson |
| 1901-1973 |
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| Real Name: |
Robert Alan Nelson |
| Birthday: |
November 16 |
| Birth Country: |
United States |
| Where Buried: |
? |
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Perhaps the most prolific American author on the subject of mentalism, Robert Nelson gained much of his financial success from his mail order magic/mentalism business, supplying props and instructional booklets to magicians and mediums alike.
The importance of his company to both the art of stage mentalism and the psychic business cannot be stated strongly enough- Robert Nelson was THE supplier of the necessary equipment for 50 years.
Robert Nelson started his career in 1915 as half of the Alla Rageh & Co. mindreading act, partnered with his older brother, Larry. Larry was the mentalist and Robert was his assistant, handling the bookings and promotion as well.
In 1921, Robert opened Nelson Enterprises in Columbus, Ohio, offering products "to meet every requirement of the mentalist". The catalogues featured items to be used in a mentalism act, like Nelson's famous Talking Tea Kettle and a Spirit Painting trick, to how-to's on Blind Drives and Buried Alive stunts, to complete code acts. Mediums were also served, with crystal balls, spirit horns, spirit slates, and message switching gimmicks.
Nelson Enterprises also offered a printing service, allowing performers and mediums to sell customized dreambooks and horoscopes.
He did not shy away from the secret connection between so-called psychics and mentalism/magic, either. From Catalog 12: "When in Columbus, make it a point to see us. Come in and inspect the largest collection of photographs of mentalists, mindreaders and crystal gazers ever assembled".
His book, The Art of Cold Reading, is still considered to be the best guide to learning this skill, which is the basis for most psychic readings, done from the stage or with personal clients.
Nelson Enterprises sold a lucky token, a copper coin minted with lucky symbols on it. These coins are very collectible today.
In the 1930s, Nelson also became a solo stage performer (mentalist, of course) and performed on radio as telepathist/hypnotist "Dr. Korda RaMayne" and the "Voice of Destiny" programs. These performances had the added advantage of providing a program for advertising his products.
Taking inspiration from spookshow performer Greystoke, Nelson designed his own successful ghost show, as well as ghost show products to sell through his mail order company.
According to his Catalog. No. 23, "Nelson has produced and owned (at least partially in some cases) such major attractions as the Rageh Trio, Alla Rageh, Faye Asia, Mr. Q Hypnotic Show and Delores, the London Ghost Show, the Magical Review, Sonia Zaranoff and her Magic Talking Tea Kettle, the "Voice of Destiny" radio programs and Dr. Korda RaMayne."
In 1943, psychic superstar Alexander sold his entire act to Nelson. This allowed Nelson to perform at times as "Alexander", profit from Alexander's popularity and also use up some of the carloads of posters he had purchased. Later, Leon Mandrake bought the show from Nelson. There were so many posters that mint-condition Alexander posters are still available for collectors to enjoy today.
Eventually, Nelson opened a walk-in magic shop in Columbus, Bob Nelson's Magic Shop, which operated into the 1970s.
In the 1950s, Nelson was hired as a consultant by Disney, and helped design Disneyland's original "Haunted House" attraction.
Over the years, Robert Nelson employed some very progressive marketing techniques, including a Time Payment Plan for his more expensive equipment, Rebate Certificates, and an embossed stamp on his catalogs in an effort to prevent "piracy" of the contents.
Robert Nelson is also credited with inventing the Multiplying Rabbits trick. |
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