MAGICIAN

Also known as "Reno the Great," "Professor Reno," "Reno the Illusionist," and "The Grand Old Man of Magic," Edward Munn Burdick attended a magic show at the age of nine and began his lifelong obsession with magic. At the age of twelve, he worked as a drum beater attracting customers to Professor Collier's magic show at a county fair near his hometown of Baldwinsville, New York. His pay was ten cents a day. At the age of 15 in 1876, he toured England and a few other countries at a wage of $15 per week. It was during this tour that the stage name of "Reno" was adopted, one that is easy to spell and remember and allowed typesetters to use very large type on posters and handbills. In 1880, he began an American tour with Ed Vann called "Reno and Vann's Mystic Consolidation." In 1886, Ed married Emma Austin who became his on-stage assistant. Around 1895, Ed became partner and then sole owner of "Reno's Circus," which remained in operation until at least 1908 with magicians, contortionists, a wire walker, acrobats, a band, and a small zoo. The circus only ran during the summer so during the winter, Ed, Emma and their children traveled the Redpath Lyceum circuit doing shows in schools, etc. Ed was associated with Redpath from about 1895 to 1927. During this time, his wife began a separate vaudeville act known as "Madame Reno, Empress of Magic." Ed never took credit for performing the tricks. He always gave credit to his wand saying, "It's all in the stick." For more information please go too www.ed-reno-magician.com.

MAGICIAN

Also known as "Reno the Great," "Professor Reno," "Reno the Illusionist," and "The Grand Old Man of Magic," Edward Munn Burdick attended a magic show at the age of nine and began his lifelong obsession with magic. At the age of twelve, he worked as a drum beater attracting customers to Professor Collier's magic show at a county fair near his hometown of Baldwinsville, New York. His pay was ten cents a day. At the age of 15 in 1876, he toured England and a few other countries at a wage of $15 per week. It was during this tour that the stage name of "Reno" was adopted, one that is easy to spell and remember and allowed typesetters to use very large type on posters and handbills. In 1880, he began an American tour with Ed Vann called "Reno and Vann's Mystic Consolidation." In 1886, Ed married Emma Austin who became his on-stage assistant. Around 1895, Ed became partner and then sole owner of "Reno's Circus," which remained in operation until at least 1908 with magicians, contortionists, a wire walker, acrobats, a band, and a small zoo. The circus only ran during the summer so during the winter, Ed, Emma and their children traveled the Redpath Lyceum circuit doing shows in schools, etc. Ed was associated with Redpath from about 1895 to 1927. During this time, his wife began a separate vaudeville act known as "Madame Reno, Empress of Magic." Ed never took credit for performing the tricks. He always gave credit to his wand saying, "It's all in the stick." For more information please go too www.ed-reno-magician.com.