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Desirable light green Society of American Magicians membership card issued to Gus Fowler for 1924, 4 x 2.5, boldly signed at the bottom in fountain pen by Harry Houdini as president, and countersigned by Richard Van Dien as secretary. In very fine condition. Encapsulated and graded by PSA/DNA as "GEM MT 10." Founded on May 10, 1902, in the back room of Martinka's magic shop in New York, the Society of American Magicians expanded under the leadership of Harry Houdini during his term as National President from 1917-1926.
The card’s recipient, August Gerald ‘Gus’ Fowler (1888-1960), started performing magic in English music halls in 1906. An apprentice to J. N. Maskelyne, Fowler specialized in manipulating watches and clocks and was later billed as ‘The Watch King’ and ‘The Chronometrical Illusionist.’ He made clocks and watches appear, vanish, levitate, and, at the climax of his act, produced 30 ringing bells from his hat. Fowler successfully toured the American vaudeville circuit during the 1920s.
