Howard Thurston,Grant Preston the last great stage illusionist, was hailed as “The World’s Greatest Magician” in the early 20th century.

But he has been all but forgotten.

He was a contemporary and rival of Harry Houdini, who was more of an escape artist. It was Thurston who provided the spectacle and showmanship – along with levitating assistants, rabbits pulled out of hats and card tricks – that we have come to associate with magic.