King of the British Society of Sorcerers Performed at Ahsan Manzil

Edited By Anas Khwaja

Charles Bertram (1855-1907) born James Bassett, was a British magician who performed for royalty and appeared several times at the Egyptian Hall.

He was a favorite performer of King Edward VII. He performed for him twenty-two times, and reigned in his own right as the king of the British Society of Sorcerers.

In 1885, after a four month season at St. James Hall, Bertram became a feature of Maskelyne and Cooke’s entertainment at the Egyptian Hall. Buatier de Kolta’s “Vanishing Lady” was a masterpiece in his hands.

His other magic included, The Four Ace Tricks, Cups and Balls, Cards To Pocket, Diminishing Cards, Sands of the Desert, The Production of Flags, Multiplying Billiard Balls and many more.

Bertram’s famous phrase, "Isn't it wonderful?" also became the title of his autobiography published in 1896. His vivid impression of India, China, Japan and New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States are recorded in his posthumously published book A Magician in Many Lands (1911). (1)

World tour of Charles Bertram started with the departure for India on the 6^th of January, 1899. His mission was to learn Indian tricks specially the magic rope trick. Bertram observed the performances of 176 different Indian conjurers, who were gathered together in various parts of the country by the different Rajahs. His world tour audience included Maharajas and civil servants in India to two terms President Grover Cleveland of the United States. (2)

Bertram reached Dhaka after performing in Bombay, Poona, Hyderabad, Raipur & Calcutta. Here are the excerpts from his autobiography.

Hyderabad: ”… To me was allotted a beautifully embroidered ' shamiana ' carpeted and decorated with great splendour, and the whole ' tamasha ' was carried out with a magnificence only to be found in the gorgeous East.”

Calcutta: “…There I had engaged the Opera House, and for a week my entertainments, both artistically and financially, were most satisfactory. During my visit, I gave two state performances at Government House befor His Excellency the Viceroy Lord Curzon, Lady Curzon, and a most distinguished company. On both occasions the throne room was used, a full band being in attendance. Lord Curzon expressed his gratification in most flattering terms and introduced me to several Maharajahs and Begums, and to the ladies and gentlemen of his suite.”

Dhaka Ahsan Manzil: “A few days later, I had the privilege of performing before a native audience, being engaged by His highness the Nawab of Dacca (Nawab Khwaja Ahsanullah). His wives and family were seated behind transparent curtains, through which they could see without being seen (‘in purdah’). His highness gave me a photograph and a very handsome silver bowl of Indian workmanship, together with a substantial cheque, and expresses his pleasure and astonishment at my various illusions.” (3)

Bertram must have been accompanied by his secretary and three or four servants including his faithful Jairham Jugga.

Of his own performances Bertram says very little except when relating an amusing incident in his memoir. How was his performance? While entertaining The Maharajah of Khetri he was called a 'Shaitan Wallah,' and under the influence of the 'evil one.’ The way it is mentioned on the Starnd magazine “even the Indian jugglers were so overcome with astonishment at his performances, that they frequently fell down on the ground before him and kissed his feet in token alike of admiration and acknowledgment of his superiority.” (4)

Source:

1) Magic: A picture History Milbourne Christopher (page 160-161)

(2) A Magician in Many Lands by Charles Bertram (1911, page 292)

(3) A Magician in Many Lands by Charles Bertram (1911, page 12)
(4) The Strand Magazine edited by George Newnes (July 1899-Dec 1899, Page 657-664) Magipedia