description Horace Goldin Overview
Horace Goldin (1873–1939) was a stage magician born in Vilnius, then part of the Russian Empire, who performed extensively in Britain and the United States. He is credited with popularizing the 'sawing a woman in half' stage illusion in the early 1920s, presenting it as a rapid effect with a dramatic reveal rather than a slow, suspenseful procedure. Goldin filed multiple patents for his illusion apparatus and aggressively pursued legal action against imitators. He performed in vaudeville and at command shows throughout his career.
insights Ranking position
Horace Goldin ranks #116 of 327 in the Magician ranking, behind Geoff Latta, ahead of Joshua Jay.
help Horace Goldin FAQ
Did Horace Goldin invent the sawing a woman in half illusion?
Goldin was one of the illusion's most important early popularizers and presented a fast, dramatic version in the early 1920s. The broader invention history is disputed, with magician P. T. Selbit also central to the illusion's early public performance.
Why did Horace Goldin use the phrase Sawing Through a Woman?
Goldin aggressively promoted and protected his stage methods through patents, publicity and legal action. His version emphasized speed and spectacle, helping turn the sawing illusion into a lasting symbol of stage magic.
Where was Horace Goldin born?
He was born in Vilnius, then part of the Russian Empire and now the capital of Lithuania. He later built an international career associated with British and American vaudeville and stage magic.
How was Goldin's sawing illusion different from P. T. Selbit's version?
Selbit's early presentation used a large closed box and a more ominous dramatic setup. Goldin developed a quicker, more visibly theatrical approach and became particularly successful at publicizing it.
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