AL KORAN
Early Life
Al Koran was born Edward C. Doe in Upper Clapton, East London on 4th March 1914. He grew up in London and this is where he first experienced magic by watching a street performer named Pins Draper who worked on Petticoat Lane and Club Row. Eddie (as he was then known) soon began to act as stooge and assistant to Pins and was taught magic tricks in return. Pins became his tutor and loaned him magic books and catalogues full of tricks and equipment he couldn’t afford to buy.
At the age of 15 and he joined a magician’s club, giving his age as 19.
When the war started he joined the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA for short) and later joined the Parachute Regiment.
After the war he became a member of The London Society of Magicians and made quite a name for himself due to his originality and enthusiasm for magic.
Around this time he was living in Bethnal Green with his wife Kay and worked as a hairdresser. He soon made the decision to become a full time professional magician and went by the name of Al Koran.
Creator
In 1947, he collaborated with Jack Lamonte, and wrote the book Mastered Amazement which quickly gained him a reputation for being an original and clever inventor. He wrote many manuscripts and magazine articles followed by his last major publication Professional Presentations, published by Harry Stanley in 1968.
Al Koran had a long standing relationship with Harry Stanley and his unique magic in London. Many of his creations were marketed through Unique magic studio, some of these were a deck of cards known as the Koran deck, Ring Flight and the Koran Medallion. He also dabbled in the use of electronics for magic tricks.
Al Koran, The World’s Greatest Mindreader
Al Koran’s life in magic began as a talented close up performer but he decided that he would have more success if he focused on mentalism and that is where he channelled all of his efforts. He decided to completely transform his image from that of a friendly trickster to a highly educated gentleman who possessed unusual powers.
He put in a lot of effort to create the exact image he wanted and he put together routines that were direct, subtle and original.
Many of his routines and tricks are still being used to this day.
His decision to focus on mentalism certainly paid off as he became one of the most popular mind readers of his time.
Success
He had enormous success in the variety theatres and he made many appearances on TV. He frequently earned publicity in the national press, amongst his many well publicised predictions were his correct revelation of the results of an election along with the newspaper headline on TV to an audience of millions. As variety dwindled he turned to well paid private gigs and started working clubs, he secured residencies at The Savoy and Quaglino’s in London.
In 1964 a book was published called Bring out the magic in your mind.
It was a combination of self help, positive thinking and advice which included a number of publicity stories about Koran.
The book seemed to be written by him but it was actually ghosted and widely advertised. It was also described as the world’s thickest advertising brochure.
In January 1969, he and his wife emigrated to America.
They first went to Cleveland, Ohio. Then later lived in Chicago.
They moved into an expensive apartment and bought extravagant luxuries. He was making frequent appearances on TV and appeared to be on the verge of new success but his rise was cut short when he became terminally ill a few years later. There is no free healthcare in America and the costs of medical help was huge.
British magicians, led by Al’s friend Ken Brooke, raised almost £1000 towards his medical costs.
Death
After a brave fight, Al Koran died of cancer on Monday 12th June 1972 at the age of 58. After Al’s funeral his ashes were handled by his good friend and fellow magician Billy McComb, who took them back to London and scattered them from numerous small vials in various meaningful places, including the stage of the London Palladium, the Dealer’s Exhibition at the Magic Convention in Margate, Davenports & other magic dealers and in Bond Street.
Al Koran left behind a wife and daughter, Katherine, along with a legacy of Mentalism that is still admired today.
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