Katterfelto: Prince Of Puff

Hundreds of flamboyant newspaper advertisements made him one of the most notorious men of his time. Their outrageous claims included discovering a cure for influenza, launching the age of air travel, inventing perpetual motion and even selling his soul to the devil. He was the unsurpassed king of spin or, in the language of the day, the 'prince of puff'. Occasionally falling foul of the law, often falling out with his rivals and audiences, he was, in the words of Harry Houdini, 'a loveable vagabond' and 'one of the most interesting characters in the history of magic'.This first biography of Katterfelto is based on extensive original research. It tells the story of his life and travels; his publicity and persona; and, his performances and lectures. Behind the 'puffs' it reveals the ups and downs of keeping the show on the road. It also introduces his eccentric rivals, such as James Graham, Georgian society's 'Doctor Sex', and Vincenzo Lunardi, the dashing hero of ballooning. Katterfelto's story offers a unique insight into a fascinating and fast changing age: its science, medicine, entertainment and air travel.