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]

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