Richard Valentine Pitchford

A grand master of the sleight of hand was the illusionist and conjurer Richard Valentine Pitchford. Fascinated by magic from early childhood, Pitchford perfected his card manipulations in the trenches of World War I and while recovering in a Southampton hospital from wounds received in combat. After being mustered out, he unsuccessfully tried his hand at ventriloquism, then made ends meet as a stoker in the engine room of a tramp steamer. Pitchford eventually arrived in Australia as a steward on a passenger liner and it was there that he first acquired his reputation as a first-rate magician, having wisely adopted the catchy stage name 'Cardini'. Typically attired in top hat, cape, monocle and white gloves, Cardini proceeded to tour Australia and then Canada. He arrived in the United States in 1926 and soon delighted audiences with intricate magic routines using cards, billiard balls, thimbles, lighted cigarettes and cigars, often assuming the persona of a tipsy London gent. He played at packed venues -- including Radio City Music Hall and the London Palladium -- to perfectly choreographed music and stage effects. Cardini performed no less than eight times at the White House (F.D.R. used to refer to him as "The Suave Deceiver"). In 1933, he entertained the King of England at a Royal Command Performance. The Welsh-born master conjurer was thrice elected president of the Society of American Magicians. He died in New York in November 1973 at the age of 77.