8/14/2019 Charles Bertram in Ahsan Manzil Edited by Anas Khwaja

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King of the British society sorcerers performed at Ahsan ManzilEdited By Anas Khwaja

Charles Bertram (1855 - 1907) born James Bassett, was a British magician whoperformed for royalty and appeared several times at the Egyptian Hall.

He was a favorite performer ofKing Edward VII. He performed for him twenty two times,and reigned in his own right as the king of the British society sorcerers.

In 1885, after a four month season at St. James Hall, Bertram became a feature ofMaskelyne and Cookes entertainment at the Egyptian Hall. Buatier de KoltasVanishing Lady was a masterpiece in his hands.

His other magic does include The Four Ace Tricks, Cups and Balls, Cards To Pocket,Diminishing Cards, Sands of the Desert, The Production of Flags, Multiplying BilliardBalls and many more.

Bertrams famous phrase, "Isn't it wonderful?" also became the title of his autobiographypublished in 1896. His vivid impression of India, China, Japan and New Zealand,Australia, Canada and the United States are recorded in his posthumously publishedbookA Magician in Many Lands (1911). (1)

http://geniimagazine.com/wiki/index.php/Egyptian_Hallhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VII_of_the_United_Kingdomhttp://books.google.com/books?id=s-wvAAAAMAAJ&phttp://geniimagazine.com/wiki/index.php/De_Koltahttp://geniimagazine.com/wiki/index.php/Egyptian_Hallhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VII_of_the_United_Kingdomhttp://books.google.com/books?id=s-wvAAAAMAAJ&phttp://geniimagazine.com/wiki/index.php/De_Kolta

8/14/2019 Charles Bertram in Ahsan Manzil Edited by Anas Khwaja

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8/14/2019 Charles Bertram in Ahsan Manzil Edited by Anas Khwaja

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most flattering terms and introduced me to several Maharajahs and Begums, and to theladies and gentlemen of his suite.Dhaka Ahsan Manzil:A few days later, I had the privilege of performing before a nativeaudience, being engaged by His highness the Nawab of Dacca (Nawab KhwajaAhsanullah).

His wives and family were seated behind transparent curtains, through which they couldsee without being seen (in purdah).

His highness gave me a photograph and a very handsome silver bowl of Indianworkmanship, together with a substantial cheque, and expresses his pleasure andastonishment at my various illusions. (3)

Bertram must have been accompanied by his secretary and three or four servantsincluding his faithful Jairham Jugga.

Of his own performances Bertram says very little except when relating an amusingincident in his memoir. How was his performance? While entertaining The Maharajah ofKhetri he was called a 'Shaitan Wallah,' and under the influence of the 'evil one. The

way it is mentioned on the Starnd magazine even the Indian jugglers were so overcomewith astonishment at his performances, that they frequently fell down on the groundbefore him and kissed his feet in token alike of admiration and acknowledgment of hissuperiority. (4)

Source:1) Magic: A picture History Milbourne Christopher (page 160-161)

(2)A Magician in Many Lands by Charles Bertram (1911, page 292)

(3)A Magician in Many Lands by Charles Bertram (1911, page 12)

(4)The Strand Magazine edited by George Newnes (July 1899-Dec 1899, Page 657-

664)

Magipedia

http://books.google.com/books?id=5X5qlkwZo9oC&pg=PA161&dq=%22Charles+Bertram%22,++india&lr=&sig=ACfU3U0-jIup3Kdr5gUWiIW8cf_vsuqklg#PPP1,M1http://www.archive.org/stream/magicianinmanyla00bertuofthttp://www.archive.org/stream/magicianinmanyla00bertuofthttp://www.archive.org/stream/magicianinmanyla00bertuofthttp://www.archive.org/stream/magicianinmanyla00bertuofthttp://books.google.com/books?id=s-wvAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA657&dq=%22Charles+Bertram%22,++india#PPA664,M1http://books.google.com/books?id=s-wvAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA657&dq=%22Charles+Bertram%22,++india#PPA664,M1http://geniimagazine.com/wiki/index.php/Charles_Bertramhttp://books.google.com/books?id=5X5qlkwZo9oC&pg=PA161&dq=%22Charles+Bertram%22,++india&lr=&sig=ACfU3U0-jIup3Kdr5gUWiIW8cf_vsuqklg#PPP1,M1http://www.archive.org/stream/magicianinmanyla00bertuofthttp://www.archive.org/stream/magicianinmanyla00bertuofthttp://books.google.com/books?id=s-wvAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA657&dq=%22Charles+Bertram%22,++india#PPA664,M1http://geniimagazine.com/wiki/index.php/Charles_Bertram