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June 2nd Meeting to Showcase Nineteenth Century Magic With Richard Potter

Wearing white pantaloons and a long tailcoat, Robert Olson will recreate the nineteenth century magic of Richard Potter after the June 2nd meeting of the Parent Assembly #1 at Mt Sinai Medical Center, Goldwurm Auditorium, 1425 Madison Avenue, at 98th Street, at 8:30 PM.

Potter first performed on his own in 1810, at the Columbian Museum in Boston. He advertised his show as, "An Evening's Brush to Sweep Away Care, or a Medley to Please." The show consisted of magic with cards and coins, ribbons and boxes, and a variety of other tricks of magic from over 150 years ago. Potter also offered ventriloquism, did a comic dissertation on noses, sang comic songs and presented a shadow puppet play called, "The Broken Bridge." His full show entertained audiences for over 25 years.
 

Robert Olson, from Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, has spent the past 30 years studying and recreating Potter's magic." It began as a hobby with a Mysto Magic Set I received as a Christmas present when I was eight years old.” Olson said. "The history part came later. I began to read the 18th and 19th century magic books, the broadsides and advertisements that Potter put out; the diaries and letters from people who actually saw Potter perform. It was like he was whispering in my ear. He was the first truly successful magician born in America."
 

Potter was born in 1783, in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. His mother was black; his father was white. Potter traveled to Europe in 1798.He returned in 1802, working as an assistant to Rannie The Scott, a professional magician. Potter began learning his magic and ventriloquism as he worked on this show. After Rannie left America around 1810, Potter began performing on his own. He continued amazing and entertaining audiences all across the early nation, from New England, to St. Louis, to Mobile, Alabama and up into Canada, until 1835, when he died.

Olson's show recreates the magic and fun of Richard Potter. He has performed at museums and historical societies across the United States, Canada and England. The magic is done with recreated and original props, 19th century costume, and the early language that appeared in the magic books of Potter's time." I was surprised myself," Olson commented, "on how much both children and adults enjoy the show. The history of magic, the hidden science used by magicians, the elegance of Mr. Potter with his language, all work together so well. I think Mr. Potter would be proud if he could come back and see how people today were still enjoying his magic."

When: Friday, June 2nd, 8:30 PM
Where: Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Goldwurm Auditorium, 1425 Madison Avenue, at 98th Street, New York, New York