Queen of Magic: An Homage to Madame Adelaide Herrmann

Madame Adelaide Herrmann (1853-1932) is a towering figure in magic history, yet her story was lost for nearly a century. Born in London of immigrant parents, Adelaide Scarsez performed as a ballerina and trick bicyclist before marrying Alexander Herrmann, considered by many the greatest magician of all time. The Herrmanns created the first grand illusion show, and Adelaide became the first glamourous, athletic female illusion assistant. The Herrmanns became celebrities in Europe and the Americas, acquiring a private railcar, a yacht, and a waterfront estate in Whitestone, New York.