He earned more per week than any other artist in Europe. He was known for his eccentricity: he let his dog Beauty eat from a golden plate in restaurants. On 9 May 1911 his show burned down in Edinburgh while he was on stage — and he died together with nine members of his cast. The Great Lafayette was buried the same day as his dog.
From Sigmund Neuburger to magic king
Born as Sigmund Neuburger in 1871 in Munich, Germany, he emigrated as a young man to America. He started as an acrobat, became a performer in dime museums, and slowly built his own complete magic act.
By 1900 he toured worldwide with a spectacle show full of illusions, transformations and costume changes. He was so popular that in 1910 he earned the same as the British prime minister — per week.
Beauty
His best friend was Beauty, a terrier he had received from Houdini. He treated her like a queen: gold collar, own carriage, hotel room with her own bed. 'My dog is the only one who loves me for who I am, not for what I earn,' he said.
Beauty died on 4 May 1911 in Edinburgh, four days before his show there would end. He was inconsolable. He insisted the dog be buried in a human grave at Piershill cemetery.
- ✦Highest earning performer in Europe around 1910
- ✦Famous for: Lion's Bride, transformations, costume changes
- ✦Performed for the British royal family
9 May 1911
Five days after Beauty's death, Lafayette was back on stage at the Empire Palace Theatre in Edinburgh. During the closing act 'The Lion's Bride' a fire broke out from a failing lamp. He could have escaped, but ran back to save his horse. He died among the debris with nine others.
The irony: he was buried next to Beauty at Piershill cemetery, on the same day. Their joint grave is still visited today by magicians from all over the world who lay flowers. It is the most-visited magician's grave in Europe.
Lafayette was eccentric, brilliant and passionate — and his story ended with a tragedy that magic has never forgotten.