Frank Ducrot

Born
T. Francis Fritz
Brooklyn, New York



Known for
Owner of Martinka

Notable works
Twentieth Century Silk

Frank Ducrot (1872 - 1939), was owner of the Martinka magic shop and a Chautauqua performer. His performances featured hand shadows, chalk talk, Punch and Judy shows and chapeaugraphy.
In the late 1920's, when Otto Hornmann tired of the magic business, he sold his company to Frank, who kept the name as the Martinka-Hornmann Magic Co.

He is known for inventing the classic Twentieth Century Silk trick.

When Ducrot died in 1939, Al Flosso, his friend from his Coney Island days, purchased the shop from his estate.

References
Obit Genii 1939 June

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Ducrot, Frank
(1872-1939)
Born T. Francis Fritz, he spent many years touring the United States as a Chautauqua performer. His performance featured hand shadows, chalk talk, Punch and Judy shows, chapeaugraphy (the art of making many different hats with one small circle of felt) and many other markers of the variety performer's trade. He is known in magic circles for inventing the classic trick called the Twentieth Century Handkerchief (in 1900 - the beginning of the 20th Century) and as inventor of the original Blendo, known as The Perfection Flag Trick and the version of the Chinese Rice Bowls used by many magicians today. During his long ownership of the Martinka company, Ducrot was very successful as a society entertainer. Many of his original silk magic effects can be found in Rice's Encyclopedia of Silk Magic.