We are delighted to present the thirty-sixth issue of our flagship journal Gibecière. Enrique Jiménez-Martínez uncovers the early life and performances of Oscar Eliason, stage name Dante, exploring his rise to success and his repetoire. Peter Bräuning examines a rare source – a souvenir sheet with engravings of twenty-one effects featured in Johann Anton Barth and Gottlieb Heinrich Riediger’s shows – that gives us a glimpse into what eighteenth century conjurers were performing. Maxwell Pritchard concludes the issue with a translation of a pamphlet on Jacques de Falaise, the earliest known performer to swallow live animals who had worked with the magician Louis Comte.

Contents:
Pocket Notes – Stephen Minch
In Memoriam
The First Dante of America – Enrique Jiménez-Martínez
A Conjuring Program from 1757 – Peter Bräuning
Jacques de Falaise and the Limits of Reality – Maxwell Pritchard
A Note on Jacques de Falaise – translated by Maxwell Pritchard