Magic History 101: DeLaMano

DeLaMano was a 19th century traveling magician, originally from Austria, but performing on the East Coast of the United States in the mid-1870s.
Sometime in 1877 or 1878, he was staying at an inn in Westerlo, New York.
He may have been investigating spirit phenomena, which was a very hot topic in New York State at the time.
Seemingly without warning- he vanished.
He left behind his big steamer trunk, fastened with a trick lock.
The trunk was placed in a corner of the barn, up in the rafters, to wait for his return.
More than 100 years later, the modern owners of the property were preparing to move.
They discovered the tucked-away trunk, and opened it to find some odd-looking boxes and scarves, as well as some photos and personal items.
There were also a quantity of posters, all still wrapped in the original paper from the printer, and advertising the show of a magician named DeLaMano.

Sadly, all of the props immediately became play toys for the family's children, and were destroyed or lost.
Sensing that the posters would be of interest to the magic world, the family contacted me.
I immediately drove to the farm and was delighted to find this rare material!
I was able to purchase all of the paper and the personal items, but not the trunk itself. Ah, well!

The oddest thing about the purchase was that it was raining really hard while I was in the barn.
The family asked if I wanted to leave the items and come back in a day or so, when the weather was better.
Something urged me to take the items with me that night.
Which was a lucky choice- during the storm, the barn was struck by lightning and burned to the ground.

Perhaps DeLaMano wanted to be found after all!

If you'd like to own a piece of magic history, we have these DeLaMano broadsides and handbills available:

DeLaMano Souvenir Pitch Book

DeLaMano Is Coming Yellow Broadside

DeLaMano Educated Pig Broadside

DeLaMano French Magician Broadside

DeLaMano French Magician Broadside

DeLaMano Wizard Of the East

DeLaMano Blue Handbill

DeLaMano Complete Set