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Why did Erdnase hide his name?
- Thread starter PGAmagic
- Start date
The real reason that he hide his name is unknown. People over the years had predicted many reasons why he hidden his name. It involved that he is being chased by the mob; others said that he did not want to reveal his identity because he did not want to take the blame for revealing such a secret to the public, and some says that he did care about fame that's why he hidden his real name.
That's wut I have head over the years, but keep in mind that no one really knows why he hid his name, or maybe S W Eadnase is his real name.
That's wut I have head over the years, but keep in mind that no one really knows why he hid his name, or maybe S W Eadnase is his real name.
I think any attempt to answer this question would just be speculation, but we can look at potential reasons why someone, in general, may wish to use a nom de plume, and then see how they fit what we know of Erdnase.
To my mind, it seems possible that the author (who according to Marshall D Smith, was in his early forties in 1901), had decided to settle down, perhaps with a wife, and leave his former illicit career behind. At this "mid-life crisis" age, he maybe wanted to leave something tangible to the world, rather than just a string of impecunious suckers. As a card cheat, he was used to hiding his great skill in manipulation, and it would make perfect sense to conceal his true identity, in case he ever wanted to return to his former profession. As he says himself, "Excessive vanity proves the undoing of many experts", and he held true to this maxim, even when writing his magnum opus. Perhaps he intended to reveal his identity later in his life, but was unable to for some reason.
Anyway, as I say, just speculation, but it's an interesting thought-experiment to come up with these sort of ideas then test them against viable Erdnase candidates. As long as you don't fall into the trap of "twisting facts to suit your theories", as Sherlock Holmes put it.
I actually kind of enjoy the mystery just for its existence. The ultimate huckster and the number one mentor to card magicians pulled one last move over on everyone. This sleight was so impressive that the world is still stumped by it over a century later.
Given how many people get into magic through cards - what could be a better welcome than this?
Given how many people get into magic through cards - what could be a better welcome than this?
Keep in mind that these were Gambler's moves and only cam to the attention of we magicians through the efforts of Dai Vernon. One theory is that gamblers of that era were very protective of their methods and might feel no little amount of animosity towards anyone sharing their secrets.
For what it is worth, the Dai Vernon Revelation DVD interview series (an 8 DVD Set from L&L Publishing priced at $240) are OUTSTANDING and well worth the investment for anyone interested in Erdnase and the Professor's brand of close-up. In my opinion, they are the next best thing to sitting at the knee of the master!
For what it is worth, the Dai Vernon Revelation DVD interview series (an 8 DVD Set from L&L Publishing priced at $240) are OUTSTANDING and well worth the investment for anyone interested in Erdnase and the Professor's brand of close-up. In my opinion, they are the next best thing to sitting at the knee of the master!
There are a lot of reasons why. One states that the Erdnase was actually a very violent man. Others say he was afraid of people coming after him (which they would have done back then, had they found out that he cheated them.).
But truthfully, it could be anything. Nobody really knows. I know that there was a story somewhere that had Vernon mention that he bumped into somebody at the Library whom he "thought" could've been Erdnase. But who knows. Then again, Erdnase could have been the name that was based down to person to person.
But truthfully, it could be anything. Nobody really knows. I know that there was a story somewhere that had Vernon mention that he bumped into somebody at the Library whom he "thought" could've been Erdnase. But who knows. Then again, Erdnase could have been the name that was based down to person to person.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._W._Erdnase
Erdnase is called 'Nose of Soil' (or soilnose ?) in german
Erdnase is called 'Nose of Soil' (or soilnose ?) in german