Abracadabra! The tale of 'The World’s Greatest Magician' who vanished from history

Howard Thurston, the last great stage illusionist, was hailed as “The World’s Greatest Magician” in the early 20th century.

But he has been all but forgotten.

He was a contemporary and rival of Harry Houdini, who was more of an escape artist. It was Thurston who provided the spectacle and showmanship – along with levitating assistants, rabbits pulled out of hats and card tricks – that we have come to associate with magic.