André Kole

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

André Kole is the stage name of Robert Gurtler Jr., an American magician and inventor of magical effects.[1] He is also a committed Christian and is a public speaker for the evangelical group Campus Crusade for Christ International.[2]

Robert Gurtler was inspired to take up magic at the age of seven after seeing a performance by Moxo the Magician (Mark E. Barker). By the time he was 20, now known as André Kole, he was performing his Table of Death trick on the national network television show You Asked For It.[1] In 1955 he received the annual Al Sharpe Award for Originality in Presentation from the Texas Association of Magicians.[3]

Among the illusions Kole is credited with devising are the Squeeze Box illusion (licensed to builder John Gaughan), and the Head Mover illusion (as performed by David Copperfield, Tim Kole and Kirby Van Birch).[4]

He also uses his magical knowledge and skills to debunk frauds and hoaxes. He was reported in 2003 as offering US$1million to the Rev. Dr. Donald Stewart if Stewart could prove a statement made in the Jamaican newspaper the Jamaica Gleaner that Satan gives supernatural powers.[5]

He states on his website that he does not perform the classic trick of pulling a rabbit from a hat because he is allergic to rabbits.[6] He is the father of illusionist Tim Kole.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Brief Biographies of Magican Inventors. Magic Nook. Retrieved on 2007-07-24.
  2. ^ Biography on official website at www.andrekole.org. Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
  3. ^ Moehring, John (January 2005), “Alton Sharpe 1921-2004”, Magic magazine (Magic magazine), <http://www.magicmagazine.com/january05/january05extra2.html>. Retrieved on 24 July 2007 
  4. ^ "Illusion Guide: Proprietary designs and Intellectual Property information for new or used illusions". Zigmont Magic. Retrieved on 2007-03-06. and "Illusion Hotline: Who owns the rights". MagicAuction.Com. Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
  5. ^ "André Kole's million-dollar challenge'" by Mark Dawes. Jamaica Gleaner (2003-12-02). Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
  6. ^ "André Kole Bio". André Kole. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.

[edit] Books

André Kole with Jerry MacGregor, Mind Games: Exposing today's psychics, frauds and false spiritual phenomena, pub. Harvest House (February 1998), ISBN-13: 978-1565078260

André Kole and Terry Holley, Astrology and psychic phenomena, Published: Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan, (c.1998), ISBN: 0310489210 (pbk.)

[edit] External links

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