We are proud to announce the release of our new historical publication, the biography of Jules de Rovère, the first prestidigitator! The result of several years of research, this book fills a gap in magical culture regarding the life of this artist, about whom we knew almost nothing.
Mentioned in Robert-Houdin's memoirs, Jules de Rovère was an artist who achieved fame in the 19th century. A contemporary of the master from Blois, the two men respected each other and bought their tricks from the same dealer of the time, old man Roujol.
For several years, Thibault Ternon, the author of this biography, scoured public archives and private collections in search of the slightest clue to try and solve the puzzle of Jules de Rovère. This book synthesizes all his research, which reveals many gray areas (especially regarding his civil status), while highlighting the points that remain enigmatic.
Numerous archival documents, such as posters, books, letters, and engravings, are reproduced in this book for the very first time, giving substance to this research, which sheds light on an entire part of the history of magic in that century.
In this book, you will discover how Jules de Rovère was the first to popularize the term "prestidigitateur," derived from the Latin presto digiti ("nimble fingers"), to designate magician artists. The complete repertoire of his experiments is also presented, with a description for each when known, allowing for a better understanding of the repertoire of the era.
From the 1840s onwards, Jules de Rovère became interested in animal magnetism, a practice popularized by Franz Anton Mesmer. From then on, he tirelessly published several books in which, with supporting certificates, he claimed to have cured individuals thanks to his "fluid." Such practices even led to a lawsuit from which he narrowly escaped...
Son of Stanislas Joseph François Xavier Rovère, a Montagnard deputy to the National Convention and a member of the Directory, Jules de Rovère even spent time in prison due to his political commitments and affiliations.
These anecdotes, and many others, show how fascinating and complex Jules de Rovère's personality was, and why a book entirely dedicated to him was necessary.
