• Title
  Les Levante, pictorial material, 1920-1977 / compiled by Les Levante
• Creator
  Les Levante, 1892-1978
• Call number
  PXE 1367
  
• Level of description
  fonds
• Date
  
  1920-1977
• Type of material
  Graphic Materials, Photographs, Prints
• Reference code
  910386
• Physical Description
  1 box (30 photographs, 1 print) - black & white - coloured; various sizes.
  
• ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
  
  The Great Levante was born Leslie George Vante Cole in 1892 at Alexandria, Sydney. The family moved to Victoria where from the age of 17 he worked in shows, and entertaining in the intervals between silent films in city cinemas. The showman Tom Selwyn gave him the stage-name 'Levant'.
  
  He later called himself 'The Great Levante' and appeared in Melbourne, and Sydney, and Queensland. He was inspired by the feats of Harry Houdini. Together with his wife and daughter, they travelled on a world tour in 1927.
  
  In 1939 the International Brotherhood of Magicians elected him the world's number one magician. He retired in 1977.
• Scope and Content
  A. Portraits.
  
  10 photographs of portraits of Les Levante from ca. 1920-1947. Two images have him as Abanaga, the wicked magician in panto Aladdin. Coloured print of portrait of the Great Levante.
  
  B. 1930-1939.
  
  6 photographs from the "How's Tricks" show, entertaining Australian troops in London, Assistants and Ballet. Netherlands Society of Amateur Magicians, and The Great Levante and family. Theater Carre, Amsterdam, Holland, Tuesday night, February 21st, 1939. Inscription of names on verso.
  
  8 photographs of Les Levante performing his tricks, including, escaping handcuffs, illusions, escaping from straight-jackets, performances from the "How's Tricks" show.
  
  C. 1940-1977.
  
  Levante plays chess at the Kings Theatre, Melbourne, 1940.
  Levante in his work shop, Nisson Hut, at Guildford, Sydney, 1953.
  Levante Prince Rat. Second only Australian to be accepted as a Water Rat.
  The Great Levante.
  Levante at Charity Show for Channel 9 at Melbourne, October 1977.
  Levante being presented with Master Fellowship at Hollywood by Cary Grant, 1977.
  
  Forms part of MLMSS 3622
• Copying Conditions
  Out of copyright: Photographs created before 1955
  Copyright status:: In copyright - Photograhps created after 1955<br>
  Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
• General note
  
  Pic.Acc. Upgrade Project - Information transferred from Pic.Acc.4560 as part of the eRecords Project 2012-13
• Name
  Levante, Les, 1892-1978
  
• Subject
  Magicians--Australia.
  Magic tricks
  Musical theatre--Australia.
  Vaudeville--Australia--20th century.
  Theaters--Stage-setting and scenery.
  Adult Females
  Adult Males
  
• Topic
  interiors
  magicians
  entertainment
  vaudeville
  theatrical props
  dancers
  stage sets
  escapologists
  chorus girls
  
• Open Rosetta viewer
  IE19829981

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