IONE, Queen of the Air

[Kent Blackmore]

In 1905, Howard Thurston travelled to Australia with tons of magic and very little money. Among the illusions he presented at the Sydney Palace Theatre was a floating lady effect named "Ione, Queen of the Air" in which his assistant rose from a standing position into the air, revolving and rotating at the same time.

The illusion was invented by famous Sydney clockmaker, Richard Bartholomew Smith. His story is newly documented at "Magic in Sydney" -
http://sydneymagic.net/HISTORY/IONE/ione.html

[Joe Lyons]

Great stuff Kent.
For a second I thought you were referring to Ionia because she always wore a tiara even before she became a real princess.
Then I read your article.



Great site!