R. D. Chater

R. D. Chater (1836–1913) most well known as Hercat was a British magician and writer.[1] His stage name is an anagram of his surname. Chater worked as journalist and actor as a young man, he later became a professional magician and moved to America. He was famous for performing a cremation illusion.[2]

R. D. Chater

He was inventor and sole proprietor of the illusion, "The Mystery of She". In 1888 William Morton of the Greenwich Theatre managed the protection of the copyright.[3]

Hercat's British tour in 1889 was organised by Morton. He was described as: HERCAT the American Illusionist, Ventriloquist, and Humorist. His programme was: The Egyptian Hall, Ten Weeks; Olympia, Nine Weeks; Edinburgh, Five Weeks; Belfast, Three Weeks; Birmingham, Four Weeks.[4]

He authored many books on card tricks.

Publications
  • Card Tricks and Conjuring Up to Date (1896)
  • Latest Sleights, Illusions, Mind Reading and New Card Effects (1903)
  • Ventriloquist and Ventriloquial Dialogues (1905)
  • Conjuring Up to Date (1906)
  • Hercat's Latest Sleights and Illusions (1906)
  • Card Tricks With and Without Apparatus Up to Date (1906)
  • Chapeaugraphy, Shadowgraphy and Paper-Folding (1909)
  • More Conjuring (1912)

References
  1. During, Simon. (2004). Modern Enchantments: The Cultural Power of Secular Magic. Harvard University Press. p. 142. ISBN 978-0674013711
  2. Price, David. (1985). Magic A Pictorial History History of Conjurers in the Theater. Cornwall Books. p. 128. ISBN 978-0845347386
  3. ‘The Mystery of She’, The Stage, 28 December 1888 p. 15
  4. The Era, 13 April 1889, p. 14
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