Talamas

Tip toeing through the “T’s” in my collection, I came upon an interesting card that was both visually arresting as well as somewhat unique in size. With such a wonderful smile and jaunty pose, I just had to find out more about Talamas, the phenomenal manipulator. 

 

Thanks to a one-page June 1941 article The Sphinx, by Keith Clark, we know that

Clement the Lion of Magic

This post and accompanying scaling card relate to Clement de Lion, the most famous and innovative performer of the multiplying billiard balls in the early part of the last century. As I’ve discovered, he might also be called “The Father of the Sucker Die Box.”

Born Knud Valdemar Clement on Dec. 31, 1875, he had his magical debut in Copenhagen when only seventeen years old when he performed in local churches and private parties. His professional career began March 1, 1897, when he appeared at the Tivoli Theatre in Copenhagen.

Tivoli Theatre, Copenhagen

Magic magazines reported that he learned his first trick from his father, also a magician. He devoted his early learning and performing to cards and coins but by 1901, he had created his sensational act, “Two Hands, Twelve Billiard Balls — That’s All.” It is unique in that he arranged a synchronized musical accompaniment to his act and traveled around the world.