Fakir of Ava

Isaiah Harris Hughes (25 December 1813 — 24 May 1891), better known as the Fakir of Ava, was a 19th century stage magician, the teacher of Harry Kellar. Hughes was born in Essex, but moved to the United States and became an illusionist. He would wear dark makeup, exotic clothing, and claim to come from Ava in Burma. He billed himself as "The Fakir of Ava, Chief of Staff of Conjurors to His Sublime Greatness the Nanka of Aristaphae". He performed standard European magic tricks, but attempted to bill them as great Oriental feats. He later gave up his costume and performed in formal evening dress. In 1857, Hughes came up with the idea of a "gift show", a gimmick that was later used by many magicians in the 19th century. In his gift shows,...