Alexander (magician)

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'''Claude Alexander Conlin''' (June 30, 1880 – August 5, 1954), also known as '''Alexander''', '''C. Alexander''', '''Alexander the Crystal Seer''', and '''Alexander the Man Who Knows''', was an American spiritual author, [[vaudeville]] [[Magician (illusion)|magician]] who specialized in [[mentalism]] and [[psychic reading]] acts, dressed in [[Orientalism|Oriental]] style robes and a feathered [[turban]], and often used a [[crystal ball]] as a prop. In addition to performing, he also worked privately for clients, giving readings. He was the author of several pitch books, [[New Thought]] pamphlets, and [[psychology]] books, as well as texts for stage performers. His stage name was "Alexander," and as an author he wrote under the name "C. Alexander."

'''Claude Alexander Conlin''' (June 30, 1880 – August 5, 1954), also known as '''Alexander''', '''C. Alexander''', '''Alexander the Crystal Seer''', and '''Alexander the Man Who Knows''', was an American spiritual author, [[vaudeville]] [[Magician (illusion)|magician]] who specialized in [[mentalism]] and [[psychic reading]] acts, dressed in [[Orientalism|Oriental]] style robes and a feathered [[turban]], and often used a [[crystal ball]] as a prop. In addition to performing, he also worked privately for clients, giving readings. He was the author of several pitch books, [[New Thought]] pamphlets, and [[psychology]] books, as well as texts for stage performers. His stage name was "Alexander", and as an author he wrote under the name "C. Alexander".

==Life and stage career==

==Life and stage career==

Alexander was born on June 30, 1880, in [[Alexandria, South Dakota]], the son of Berthold Michael James Conlin and Martha Michaels. Within the family Claude Alexander was known as "C. A." and his brother Clarence Berthold Conlin was known as "C. B." Clarence B. had a successful career as an attorney and he also worked as a stage mentalist, although his fame never equalled that of Claude Alexander.

Alexander was born on June 30, 1880, in [[Alexandria, South Dakota]], the son of Berthold Michael James Conlin and Martha Michaels. Within the family Claude Alexander was known as "C. A." and his brother Clarence Berthold Conlin was known as "C. B." Clarence B. had a successful career as an attorney and he also worked as a stage mentalist, although his fame never equalled that of Claude Alexander.

Between 1915 and 1924, Conlin, under the stage name "Alexander, The Man Who Knows," was a popular and highly paid stage mentalist.[[James Randi|Randi, James]]. ''[[Conjuring (book)|Conjuring]]''.(St. Martin's Press, 1992) {{ISBN|0-312-09771-9}} page 230 Alexander promoted his psychic act as a form of mental [[telepathy]] or mind reading. Audience members gave him sealed questions, which he answered from the stage after staring into a [[crystal ball]].{{Cite book |last1=Copperfield |first1=David |title=David Copperfield's history of magic |last2=Wiseman |first2=Richard |last3=Britland |first3=David |date=2021 |isbn=978-1-9821-1291-2 |location=New York, NY |oclc=1236259508 |author-link1=David Copperfield (illusionist) |author-link2=Richard Wiseman}} His techniques were not revealed during his lifetime.

Between 1915 and 1924, Conlin, under the stage name "Alexander, The Man Who Knows", was a popular and highly paid stage mentalist.[[James Randi|Randi, James]]. ''[[Conjuring (book)|Conjuring]]''.(St. Martin's Press, 1992) {{ISBN|0-312-09771-9}} page 230 Alexander promoted his psychic act as a form of mental [[telepathy]] or mind reading. Audience members gave him sealed questions, which he answered from the stage after staring into a [[crystal ball]].{{Cite book |last1=Copperfield |first1=David |title=David Copperfield's history of magic |last2=Wiseman |first2=Richard |last3=Britland |first3=David |date=2021 |isbn=978-1-9821-1291-2 |location=New York, NY |oclc=1236259508 |author-link1=David Copperfield (illusionist) |author-link2=Richard Wiseman}} His techniques were not revealed during his lifetime. Alexander is credited as the inventor and/or popular developer of a number of electrical stage effects which were the forerunners of modern electronic stage effects. For example, his assistants would covertly obtain information about audience members and then transmit that information to an earpiece that was hidden under Alexander's turban.

Alexander is credited as the inventor and/or popular developer of a number of electrical stage effects which were the forerunners of modern electronic stage effects. For example, his assistants would covertly obtain information about audience members and then transmit that information to an earpiece that was hidden under Alexander's turban.

All of Alexander's biographers, Darryl Beckmann, David Charvet, and Alexander's biographer of the 1940s, Robert A. Nelson, have said that Alexander was the highest-paid mentalist in the world at the height of his career, during the 1920s. Both sources state that he earned multiple millions of dollars during his career on stage and that during his lifetime he may have been the highest paid entertainer in the field of magic.Nelson, Robert A. ''Nelson Enterprises 25th Anniversary Catalogue No. 21''. Columbus, Ohio. 1946

All of Alexander's biographers, Darryl Beckmann, David Charvet, and Alexander's biographer of the 1940s, Robert A. Nelson, have said that Alexander was the highest-paid mentalist in the world at the height of his career, during the 1920s. Both sources state that he earned multiple millions of dollars during his career on stage and that during his lifetime he may have been the highest paid entertainer in the field of magic.Nelson, Robert A. ''Nelson Enterprises 25th Anniversary Catalogue No. 21''. Columbus, Ohio. 1946> Alexander retired from the stage in 1927, at the age of 47. He remained part of the social circles of entertainment personalities in Southern California, counting among his friends stars like [[Marion Davies]], [[Margaret Sullavan]], [[Jackie Coogan]], [[Harold Lloyd]], and [[Clara Bow]].>

Alexander retired from the stage in 1927, at the age of 47. He remained part of the social circles of entertainment personalities in Southern California, counting among his friends stars like [[Marion Davies]], [[Margaret Sullavan]], [[Jackie Coogan]], [[Harold Lloyd]], and [[Clara Bow]].

==Death==

==Death==

He died on August 5, 1954, at the age of 74 due to complications from an operation for [[stomach ulcer]]s. He was survived by two sons and a daughter. He was buried in [[Seattle, Washington]].

Alexander died on August 5, 1954, at the age of 74 due to complications from an operation for [[stomach ulcer]]s. He was survived by two sons and a daughter. He was buried in [[Seattle, Washington]].

Alexander's career and personal life have long been shrouded in mystery. However, interviews with his son and the scrapbooks of the Nartel twins{{clarify|date=November 2023}} have uncovered many details. In the late 20th century, Clarence's granddaughter Cathy Stevenson inherited scrapbook material on the careers of both her grandfather "C. B." and great-uncle "C. A.," which allowed Charvet to take a closer look at the life of Alexander the Crystal Seer and his family.Charvet, David. ''Alexander - The Man Who Knows''. 2nd revised and enlarged edition, September 2006.

Alexander's career and personal life have long been shrouded in mystery. However, interviews with his son and the scrapbooks of the Nartel twins{{clarify|date=November 2023}} have uncovered many details. In the late 20th century, Clarence's granddaughter Cathy Stevenson inherited scrapbook material on the careers of both her grandfather "C. B." and great-uncle "C. A.", which allowed Charvet to take a closer look at the life of Alexander the Crystal Seer and his family.Charvet, David. ''Alexander - The Man Who Knows''. 2nd revised and enlarged edition, September 2006.

==New Thought and Spiritualism beliefs==

==New Thought and spiritualism beliefs==

[[File:Alexander sees your life from the cradle to the grave LCCN2014636876.jpg|thumb|upright|1910 poster: "Alexander, Crystal Seer, Sees Your Life from the Cradle to the Grave"]]

[[File:Alexander sees your life from the cradle to the grave LCCN2014636876.jpg|thumb|upright|1910 poster: "Alexander, Crystal Seer, Sees Your Life from the Cradle to the Grave"]]

With respect to the question of psychic phenomena, [[magic (paranormal)|magic]], [[Spiritualism (movement)|spiritualism]], and the [[occult]], Alexander led a sort of double life, especially after he retired from the stage.

With respect to the question of psychic phenomena, [[magic (paranormal)|magic]], [[Spiritualism (movement)|spiritualism]], and the [[occult]], Alexander led a sort of double life, especially after he retired from the stage. In 1921, he wrote and published ''The Life and Mysteries of The Celebrated Dr. Q'' (also known as ''The Dr. Q. Book''), which was later re-published by Nelson Enterprises of [[Columbus, Ohio]], for the stage magic trade. In this book, Alexander exposed the techniques used by fraudulent [[Spiritualism (movement)|spiritualist]] [[mediums]] to dupe their clients, provided blueprints for the manufacture of psychic act stage props, and even revealed the famous "Zancig Code" pioneered by the mentalists [[The Zancigs|Julius and Agnes Zancig]].

On the one hand, in 1921 he wrote and published ''The Life And Mysteries Of The Celebrated Dr. Q'' (also known as ''The Dr. Q. Book''), which was later re-published by Nelson Enterprises of [[Columbus, Ohio]], for the stage magic trade. In this book, Alexander exposed the techniques used by fraudulent [[Spiritualism (movement)|spiritualist]] [[mediums]] to dupe their clients, provided blueprints for the manufacture of psychic act stage props, and even revealed the famous "Zancig Code" pioneered by the mentalists [[The Zancigs|Julius and Agnes Zancig]].

On the other hand, like the Zancigs, he never completely discounted the possibility that [[Spiritualism (movement)|Spiritualism]] might contain elements of truth, and from 1919 onward he also operated a publishing house, the C. Alexander Publishing Company in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], which released his own [[astrology|astrological]], pro-Spiritualist, and [[New Thought]] material, including a 5-volume series called ''The Inner Secrets of Psychology'' and a booklet for his students titled ''Personal Lessons, Codes, and Instructions for Members of the Crystal Silence League.'' The latter is a manual that explains the technique of [[affirmative prayer]], and presents methods for the development of Spiritualistic [[mediumship]], and [[divination]] through [[crystal ball]] [[scrying]]. The back cover displays Alexander's connection to the New Thought movement, for it lists an extensive array of titles that Alexander offered for sale at his book shop, including works written and published by the New Thought author [[William Walker Atkinson]] under his own name and also under the pseudonyms [[Theron Q. Dumont]], [[Yogi Ramacharaka]], and Swami Panchadasi; as well as a book by Atkinson's sometime co-author, the occultist [[L. W. de Laurence]].

On the other hand, like the Zancigs, he never completely discounted the possibility that [[Spiritualism (movement)|Spiritualism]] might contain elements of truth, and from 1919 onward he also operated a publishing house, the C. Alexander Publishing Company in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], which released his own [[astrology|astrological]], pro-Spiritualist, and [[New Thought]] material, including a 5-volume series called ''The Inner Secrets of Psychology'' and a booklet for his students titled ''Personal Lessons, Codes, and Instructions for Members of the Crystal Silence League.'' The latter is a manual that explains the technique of [[affirmative prayer]], and presents methods for the development of Spiritualistic [[mediumship]], and [[divination]] through [[crystal ball]] [[scrying]]. The back cover displays Alexander's connection to the New Thought movement, for it lists an extensive array of titles that Alexander offered for sale at his book shop, including works written and published by the New Thought author [[William Walker Atkinson]] under his own name and also under the pseudonyms [[Theron Q. Dumont]], [[Yogi Ramacharaka]], and Swami Panchadasi; as well as a book by Atkinson's sometime co-author, the occultist [[L. W. de Laurence]].

==Legacy==

==Legacy==

[[File:Poster of Alexander Crystal Seer.jpg|thumb|upright|Poster for Alexander's show with crystal ball]]

[[File:Poster of Alexander Crystal Seer.jpg|thumb|upright|Poster for Alexander's show with crystal ball]]

Alexander invested a great deal of money into the production and printing of beautiful [[chromolithograph]] posters for his stage show. When he retired from the stage, he kept these in storage and eventually sold the unused posters and all of his stage equipment and props to a magic dealer, Robert Nelson, in [[Ohio]] in 1944. Nelson in turn sold portions of the stage show and many of the posters to another magician, [[Leon Mandrake]], who toured in the Pacific Northwest during the 1950s under Alexander's name in order to make use of the large supply of full-color posters. Thus, those who saw a show by "Alexander" in the 1950s actually were witnessing a recreation performance by Mandrake.

Alexander invested a great deal of money into the production and printing of beautiful [[chromolithograph]] posters for his stage show. When he retired from the stage, he kept these in storage and eventually sold the unused posters and all of his stage equipment and props to a magic dealer, Robert Nelson, in [[Ohio]] in 1944. Nelson in turn sold portions of the stage show and many of the posters to another magician, [[Leon Mandrake]], who toured in the Pacific Northwest during the 1950s under Alexander's name in order to make use of the large supply of full-color posters. Thus, those who saw a show by "Alexander" in the 1950s actually were witnessing a recreation performance by Mandrake./> Alexander was mentioned by name in a 1950s episode of the [[NBC]] television production [[Playhouse 90]] called "The Great Sebastians", starring [[Alfred Lunt]] and [[Lynn Fontanne]] as a pair of stage magicians who resembled his old friends [[The Zancigs]]./>

Alexander was mentioned by name in a 1950s episode of the [[NBC]] television production [[Playhouse 90]] called "The Great Sebastians," starring [[Alfred Lunt]] and [[Lynn Fontanne]] as a pair of stage magicians who resembled his old friends [[The Zancigs]].

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==

*"Alexander - The Man Who Knows," (Revised, second edition) David Charvet. Mike Caveney's Magic Words, Pasadena, CA. 2007.

*"Alexander - The Man Who Knows", (Revised, second edition) David Charvet. Mike Caveney's Magic Words, Pasadena, CA. 2007.

*"Alexander The Man Who Knows," A Personal Scrapbook, Rolling Bay Press, Rollingbay WA 1994.

*"Alexander The Man Who Knows", A Personal Scrapbook, Rolling Bay Press, Rollingbay WA 1994.

*''Alexander Wednesday, May 15 at 5 p.m.: The Man Who Knows'', C. Alexander Publishing Co., Los Angeles, California, n.d. ({{circa|1913}} – 1920).

*''Alexander Wednesday, May 15 at 5 p.m.: The Man Who Knows'', C. Alexander Publishing Co., Los Angeles, California, n.d. ({{circa|1913}} – 1920).

*''Personal Lessons, Codes, and Instructions for Members of the Crystal Silence League'', C. Alexander Publishing Co., Los Angeles, California, n.d. ({{circa|1913}}). Reprinted by Missionary Independent Spiritual Church, 2011.

*''Personal Lessons, Codes, and Instructions for Members of the Crystal Silence League'', C. Alexander Publishing Co., Los Angeles, California, n.d. ({{circa|1913}}). Reprinted by Missionary Independent Spiritual Church, 2011.