William Mozart Nicol
I have found limited
information on the magician
known as "The Great Nicola".
Information gathered indicates
William Mozart Nicol was born
in Burlington December 14,
1880. His parents were Lettie
Donaldson and John McNicol.
John McNicol was born in
Scotland and dropped the "Mc"
of his name by the time he was
residing in Illinois. John McNicol
was also a recognized magician
known as "The Great Nicoli,"
but early censuses list his
Born: Dec. 14,1880
Burlington, IA
Died: Feb. 1, 1946
Monmouth, IL
profession as "photographer." John and
Lettie also had another son named
Charles H. Nicol, (1872-1958). Charles,
the older brother of William, was also a
known magician, going by the stage
name of "Von Arx." Von Arx was not as
successful as his little brother, but he collaborated with Blackstone and had
mastered enough specific illusions to be associated with certain tricks (such as
"Throne of Mystery" Illusion). Research so far has not shown if Charles, too was
born in Burlington. However, both brothers eventually retired to Monmouth, Illinois
where they lived until their respective deaths.
William (The Great Nicola), the most successful of magicians in the family was
world known and knew the business end of preforming well enough to become a
very wealthy man. He was an escape artist. Using handcuffs, prison cells, locked
trunks, and straitjackets, a magician would preform outside shows in public places
and get publicity to entice an audience to pay to see the stage shows (Nicola once
jumped into the Mississippi River in handcuffs and released himself before
surfacing). Nicola knew sixteen languages and could make shrewd business deals.
On tour in Africa, he accepted grain as payment and then turned around and sold
the grain to an exporter for cash. Gaining profit, recognition, and a reputation of
working well with all!
Nicola had four grand world tours. On the forth tour (1938-39), the ocean liner
his show was using hit a mine at the beginning of World War II and he lost
everything. He then retired to Monmouth with his wife and chief assistant, Marion
Eddings, where he would still preform smaller shows and travel to military camps
preforming for troops. William died of a heart attack on February 1st, 1946.
The Nikola Card System of
Magic Card Tricks, used by
professional and amateur
magicians alike, was developed
by William Nicol.
Encyclopedia of
Card Tricks
Originally Compiled by
Glenn Gravatt
Revised and Expanded by
Jean Hugard
ISBN: 057202620X
Published: W. Foulsham
Company, Limited (UK)
Availability: Very good.
Many editions over the
years, Current edition
available most book stores!
The Fine Art of
Hocus Pocus
by John Nicholls Booth
ISBN: 0964555905
Published: The Magic Art Book Co. 1996
Availability: Difficult, although the Library
has it as part of the Burlington Collection.
Sources include:
Information about the Nicol family and John Booth, and
other world magicians can be found at MagicTricks.com
