Jansen, Thurston, and Tansan Sparkling Water

Contributor Gary Frank has written an excellent post on Harry August Jansen and his throw-out card that he used after joining forces with Howard Thurston and becoming “Dante the Magician”.  Mr. Frank has told us how in his early years Dante was known as “The Great Jansen – America’s Greatest Transformist” and toured the world.

While on tour, Jansen had this wonderful throw-out card made. The face of the card has an image of a young Jansen with the words “Your friend Jansen”. Below this it says “The World’s Greatest  Transformist”. On the back is an advertisement for Tansan Mineral Water.

The Tansan Mineral Water Company was founded by Englishman John Clifford Wilkinson. Tansan Sparkling Water came from the mineral springs of Takarazuka, Japan. Clifford-Wilkinson trademarked his product in the U.S. in 1896. Tansan produced their water in a plant near Kobe, Japan.

It would appear that at least two famous magicians had throw-out cards produced advertising Tansan Sparkling Water. One of course would be Jansen. The other would be Howard Thurston. Both men used these cards very early in their careers when they embarked on world tours with appearances in Japan. The time frame for these cards would have been the early part of the 1900’s. I have seen several variants of Thurston/Tansan cards. When they have been offered for sale, usually in an auction setting, they sometimes sell for extremely high amounts. I was fortunate to be able to add a Thurston/Tansan card to my collection, without taking out a loan for it!

For many years, I thought the throw-out card for Dante was the only one he ever issued. But, it just goes to show, you should never assume anything. I was pleasantly surprised and extremely thrilled, when I happened to find and acquire both of these cards.