Dante the Magician’s worldwide fame did not happen overnight. It all started with long, grueling tours in the United States, born of a 1923 contract agreement between headliner Howard Thurston and then-up-and-comer Harry A. Jansen, who formerly toured vaudeville circuits performing as Jansen the Great.
Crafting magic props, big ideas in Chicago
Map shows the approximate former location of the Halton & Jansen Co magic shop in Chicago, Ill. Later it became Halton, Jansen, and LeRoy when Servais LeRoy joined in (catalog image). Historically the address was 148 N. LaSalle St.; the map location of 646 N. LaSalle St. reflects the street renumbering of 1911. Harry Jansen left the business the same year to resume touring.
Credit: Map of Chicago Magic, ChicagoMagicStudio.com, Gordon Meyer curator.