Piles of junk at Flosso's? More like a treasure trove of magical mayhem! The man lived in delightful disarray, with showcases overflowing with antique magic gear and stacks of dusty tomes precariously perched on countertops. Crafting the life story of Al Flosso was no small feat, but magic writer Gary Brown embraced the chaos to bring you The Coney Island Fakir.
With a keen eye, Brown sifted through books, newspapers, photographs, magazines, programmes, catalogues, and even audio and video tapes from both public and private hoards. He gathered insights through interviews and correspondence with magicians, performers, and collectors across four continents. Their anecdotes and observations added vibrant colour to Flosso's story (because who doesn’t love a bit of gossip?).
The result? A lively portrait and an animated mosaic that chronicles Flosso's remarkable journey—from street-corner shill and carnival pitchman to Broadway sensation and television star. Packed with dozens of illustrations, The Coney Island Fakir paints a vivid picture of this one-of-a-kind performer.
And just when you think it couldn’t get better, there’s a cheeky bonus: a reprint of Our Mysteries. This gem, produced by Flosso in the 1940s, showcases 23 classic tricks from the likes of Flosso, Al Baker, Ted Annemann, and other top-notch performers. Seriously, it’s a bit of a goldmine.
Photo illustrated, 215 pages.
Contents
- Preface and Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 - Beginnings
- Chapter 2 - Sorcerers' Apprentice
- Chapter 3 - Rise of the Coney Island Faker
- Chapter 4 - Punch & Judy
- Chapter 5 - On the Pitch
- Chapter 6 - At the Circus
- Chapter 7 - Open for Business
- Chapter 8 - Wheeling and Dealing
- Chapter 9 - Tricks of the Trade
- Chapter 10 - Collector's Paradise
- Chapter 11 - Stand Up Straight!
- Chapter 12 - Trodding the Boards
- Chapter 13 - Finale
- Chapter 14 - Art Imitates Life
- Epilogue
- Endnotes
- Reprint of Our Mysteries
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