I have trawled the forums & think this may be the place to post this question... I HOPE!

Does anybody have any idea who first performed/invented the 'Dove Catching' also known as 'Dove Air' in England.

I am referring to the effect where the magician 'catches' 2 doves in a long-handled 'butterfly'-type net.

Any references that you could provide me with will be appreciated (historical interest only).

I could be wrong, but my vague recollection is that Servais LeRoy invented the trick. If so, then he would likely have been the first magician to perform it.

I somehow seem to recall Maurice Raymond. I will have to check in my books tomorrow and see. LeRoy would have certainly been in the same era as Raymond.

Richardf

My Source indicates "Cyril Yettmah and The Great LaFayette" as the inventors.

Cyril Yettmah worked out the mechanics of it, but envisioned it for catching canaries. Lafayette wanted to increase the size to work on the stage with eagles, but the eagles probably objected, so they ended up using doves when the trick premiered in 1909. Raymond claimed to have invented it and said he premiered it using pigeons in Brazil in 1908, but the first written record of him using it in public was dated 1912.

Spellbinder and Wm have it correct.

Richard

Now there is some history class, You guys can sure dig it up, And I am glad to see that history is still alive, Thanks guys for your history skills.