Revisiting the Golden Age of New York Magicians

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were a special time for magic in New York, coinciding with the rise of vaudevilles, circuses, and mainstream theaters, as well as innovations in publishing and science. A new exhibit at the New York Public Library, "Mystery and Wonder: A Legacy of Golden Age Magicians in New York City," presents rare items from the NYPL's Library for the Performing Arts. Annemarie van Roessel, assistant curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division, discusses what's on view, and the long history of magicians in New York.

Image: A promotional photo of Harry Houdini. Courtesy of Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.