Who was Alexander Herrmann?

Alexander Herrmann, billed as “Herrmann the Great,” was a Paris-born magician who learned the trade from his older brother Carl, built his own career in America from 1862 and became a US citizen in 1876. He performed for years with his wife, Adelaide, and the bullet catch was among his signature feats. He died on a train in New York State in December 1896, and Adelaide carried the show on.

Who was Alexander Herrmann?

Alexander Herrmann was a 19th-century stage magician. Several of our sources say he went by the title “Herrmann the Great,” and Genii’s Magicpedia also gives “The Great Herrmann.”

Our sources differ on exactly when he was born. Most give 10 February 1844, in Paris. Genii’s Magicpedia gives 11 February 1844, and a Library of Congress catalogue record gives 1843. We’ve gone with the 1844 date that most sources agree on.

Where did he learn magic?

Magic ran in the family. His father, Samuel Herrmann, was a physician who also performed as a conjuror, according to both Wikipedia and the introduction to the online edition of Herrmann’s Book of Magic.

His older brother, Compars Herrmann, known as Carl, was already a performer. Wikipedia says Carl took the young Alexander on tour, where the boy worked as his assistant and learned sleight of hand from him. The online Book of Magic introduction says his stage career “began at age eight” with his brother’s show, and a 2016 history post by Gary Frank says that “Under the tutelage of brother Carl, Alexander honed his skills.”

How did he build his own career?

Wikipedia and Gary Frank’s post both say Alexander came to the United States with Carl in 1860, and that his own career began in 1862.

In the early 1870s he played a long run at the Egyptian Hall in London. Wikipedia describes a three-year run beginning in 1871. Magicana’s profile of Adelaide Herrmann also mentions his “historic one-thousand-night run” at the Egyptian Hall.

He then settled in America. Wikipedia, Genii’s Magicpedia, the online Book of Magic introduction and CooperToons’ history page all say he became a naturalized US citizen in 1876.

Who was Adelaide Herrmann?

Adelaide Scarcez was a dancer. Wikipedia and Magicana both say she and Alexander married in New York in 1875, at City Hall, with the mayor of New York performing the ceremony.

She became part of the act. Genii’s Magicpedia says that “Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, Alexander and his wife Adelaide Herrmann performed together,” and Totally History says he “performed with his wife for many years.” Her own story is a big one, so we gave her a separate post: Who was Adelaide Herrmann?

What was he known for?

• The bullet catch. Magicana calls it “one of Alexander’s signature feats.” Genii’s Magicpedia says the couple “performed their own version of the bullet catch,” and Totally History also describes a popular act with Adelaide “involving catching bullets.”
• Sleight of hand. Totally History says he “was renowned for his skills with cards and sleight of hand,” and Wikipedia lists card tricks and other sleight-of-hand items in his act.
• A rabbit from a hat. Genii’s Magicpedia, Totally History and a Roughly Daily post all mention Herrmann pulling a rabbit from a hat. We haven’t found good evidence for who did it earliest, so we won’t guess.

Who was his rival?

Harry Kellar. Wikipedia describes the two as rivals, and Magicana mentions Herrmann’s success “Despite competition from his rival Harry Kellar.” Read more in our post Who was Harry Kellar?

How did Alexander Herrmann die?

He died on 17 December 1896, aged 52, of a heart attack while travelling by train. Wikipedia and The Tombstone Tourist place it near Ellicottville, New York. Genii’s Magicpedia and CooperToons say he was on his way to Bradford, Pennsylvania.

The Tombstone Tourist and Genii’s Magicpedia both say he is buried in the Oak Hill section of Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

What happened to the show?

Adelaide kept it going. Wikipedia’s article on Adelaide says she “decided to continue the show” and first worked with her husband’s nephew, Leon Herrmann. The two parted after three seasons, which Gary Frank’s post also records: Leon joined the tour “but only lasted three seasons.”

Where can you read more?

• The Old and the New Magic by Henry Ridgely Evans. A free 416-page PDF from 1906 with a chapter titled “A day with Alexander the Great — Alexander Herrmann,” plus chapters on Robert-Houdin and Harry Kellar.
• Herrmann’s Wizard’s Manual. A free 162-page PDF of a 19th-century trick book published under the great Herrmann’s name (1916 edition), with coin tricks, card tricks and parlour magic.

Find more old books in our free ebooks, explore stage magic, and meet another performer of the era in Who was Howard Thurston?

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