The incomparable Albini
By William Pack | Magician, Historian, and Educator, https://libraryprogramming.com/
The Incomparable Albini, American Showprint, Circa 1910. Herbert Albini
(Abraham A. Laski)
B. October 23, 1859 – D. May 28, 1913
Abraham Laski was born in Poland, and at the age of six, his family moved to England. Laski’s first choice for a stage name was “Rossini,” and his first foray into performing was as an operator of a sideshow attraction exhibiting the illusion then known as "Galetier” – in which a marble bust of a woman is imbued with life and a living woman turns to stone. A modern shock version of the illusion is still performed today. A pretty girl steps into a box with a glass door in front. As the audience watches, she visibly changes into a hairy gorilla. Suddenly, the gorilla bursts from the box and jumps into the crowd, giving everyone a fright.
Success did not come fast enough, so Abraham Laski took the stage name "Albini,” a variation of another magician, Lieutenant Albini. Laski hoped to capitalize on the original Albini's popularity. Lieutenant Albini complained, and though Laski agreed to change his name again to "Alvene,” he never did. Instead, "Albini," became more successful and well-known than the original.
Albini eventually traveled to the United States in 1891 with a large illusion show and used some graphically pleasing posters.
By 1911, billing himself as "Albini the Great,” he had one of the largest illusion acts in vaudeville, promoting his "$15,000 production" which used twelve stage assistants.
Albini’s trademark was opening a new deck of cards for each effect. An assistant followed him around the stage and in the audience, carrying a satchel full of decks of cards. After one deck was used, it was thrown away, usually scattered on stage or in the aisles. The assistant would then hand him a new deck and Albini would repeat the process. By the end of his act the stage and audience were covered with discarded decks.
Albini is credited with inventing the modern Egg Bag trick. In this trick, a small felt bag is shown empty inside and out. From it, a small egg is produced and then vanished by the same means. The bare description does not do the trick justice. Luckily, there are magicians at the Chicago Magic Lounge that regularly perform it.
His skill was undeniable, but he was known as being the most aggressive and insulting of all magicians. His attitude was apparently rather crude and insolent, using words that were unsuitable for polite company. Many magicians derided him. He tried calling himself “The King of Cards,” which led someone to say that it should be called “The Clown of Cards.” As talented as he was, he was also an alcoholic and quite undependable. His performances were in keeping with his moods. One show might be that of a drunken sot calling obscenities to the audience, and the next show would be one of a refined gentleman.
His personality relegated him to small-time vaudeville, but why was he able to keep working at all?
Powerful theater owner John Considine of the Sullivan and Considine Vaudeville circuit was charged with shooting a policeman. Albini was a witness and testified in court that the shooting was in self-defense. Considine was acquitted. After that, Albini was never out of work.
His skill was undeniable,
but he was known as being the most
aggressive and insulting
of all magicians.
On May 30, 1913, the Chicago Tribune headline was “ALBINI DOES LAST MYSTERY.” Albini died of heart failure in his Chicago hotel room. He was about to start an engagement at the Colonial Theatre. He left behind his wife, twelve children, and no money. Penniless, he was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Evergreen Park, Illinois, by the White Rats of America, an organization of theatrical performers.
Oddly, at the time of his death, his wife did not know his real name.
A young Harry Blackstone Sr. outfitted his first major illusion show with equipment he purchased from Albini's estate.
In the June 1913 issue of the magicians’ trade magazine, “The Sphinx,” the editor wrote, “Albini, the supposed inventor of the ‘Egg Bag’ is dead. He dropped dead in the Grant Hotel in Chicago, May 28. Let us bury his faults with him and forget them.”
