What is it about?
A discussion of the way in which magicians' trade catalogs can be useful resources for researchers exploring popular entertainments. In addition to providing information about magic shows, trade catalogs also offer insights into tangential topics such as touring shows, tent shows, vaudeville, etc.
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Why is it important?
The information contained in these resources is often overlooked by historiographic researchers since they are considered primarily as commercial pieces. Because of their regular publication schedule and wealth of description, however, trade catalogs can provide both a synchronic and diachronic picture of popular stage entertainments. By studying the types of illusions being sold, researchers can discern larger cultural trends. These trade catalogs also often contain information on little-known performers.
Perspectives
Because these catalogs are commercial sales pieces, researchers do not always consider them when writing about the history of theatre. These publications contain many drawings and/or photos of theatrical illusions and effects, however, and sometimes they also contain additional small tidbits of information about popular shows and performers of the time.
Dr. Beth Kattelman
The Ohio State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Magicians' Trade Catalogs, Theatre Survey, April 2014, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/s0040557414000088.
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