THIS DAY IN MAGIC HISTORY — October 7, 1903
On October 7, 1903, the magic world lost one of its most inventive minds when Buatier de Kolta died in New Orleans.
More than a century later, de Kolta’s influence can still be found throughout the world of magic. He wasn't simply a performer who created a few successful tricks. He was an inventor whose ideas helped shape stage magic and inspired generations of illusionists who followed.
Born Joseph Buatier in France on November 18, 1845, de Kolta developed an interest in magic at a young age. Eventually, his talent caught the attention of impresario Julius Vida de Kolta, and Joseph adopted the professional name Buatier de Kolta.
By the 1870s, he was touring Europe, eventually appearing at London's famous Egyptian Hall and later bringing his magic to audiences in the United States.
But it was his remarkable inventions that secured his place in magic history.
The Vanishing Lady
Perhaps de Kolta's most enduring creation was The Vanishing Lady, an illusion introduced during the 1880s.
The effect was wonderfully direct.
A chair was placed onstage, and a woman sat upon it. She was covered, and moments later she apparently vanished completely.
There were no giant cabinets dominating the stage and no elaborate-looking boxes surrounding the assistant. To the audience, the effect seemed incredibly clean and impossible.
The illusion became so closely associated with its creator that the style of chair used in versions of the effect became known throughout magic as the de Kolta Chair.
Variations of the basic concept would later appear in the performances of some of magic's greatest illusionists.
The Incredible Expanding Die
Another of de Kolta's most remarkable creations became known as the Expanding Die.
De Kolta would display what appeared to be a relatively small die. The die was placed on a platform and then, impossibly, expanded into a much larger object.
But that wasn't the end.
When the enlarged die was lifted, a woman was revealed beneath it.
For audiences at the turn of the 20th century, the transformation must have been astonishing.
The illusion became legendary among magicians, and its reputation survived long after de Kolta's death. Harry Houdini reportedly acquired de Kolta's die, and the original apparatus eventually became part of David Copperfield's collection.
An Extraordinary Inventor
The Vanishing Lady and Expanding Die were far from de Kolta's only contributions to magic.
His creations included effects involving the Vanishing Bird Cage, multiplying balls, productions of flowers, handkerchief effects, and numerous other magical inventions.
Historical accounts describe de Kolta as an unusually original thinker at a time when stage magic was undergoing enormous changes.
Instead of simply performing existing tricks, he continually searched for new ways to create seemingly impossible moments.
That creativity helped make him one of the important figures of magic's Golden Age.
His Final American Tour
De Kolta made his first American tour in 1891 and returned to the United States for another tour in 1902.
While appearing in New Orleans, he became seriously ill.
On October 7, 1903, Buatier de Kolta died of acute Bright's disease. His body was later taken to London for burial.
Today marks 123 years since his death.
Yet his ideas have never completely disappeared.
More than a century later, magicians still recognize his name, study his creations, collect apparatus inspired by his inventions, and perform effects descended from ideas he introduced to audiences during the 19th century.
That may be the greatest tribute an inventor can receive.
Buatier de Kolta disappeared from the stage for the final time 123 years ago today—but his magic never really vanished.
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