Magic. 19th Century Approach
Those illustrations come from a book ‘Magic. Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions, including Trick Photography’, published in 1897. Title is pretty much self explanatory: it’s a guide to all kinds of tricks and pseudo-magic that will fool the audience, making you popular and rich.
19th and early 20th century was a perfect time for such entertainment. All kinds of illusionists were warmly welcomed, as people were still in limbo between superstition and educatation.
