African Americans have made extraordinary contributions to the history and culture of the United States as part of the nation and apart from it. This month, Auction Finds present s “28 days (Plus 1)” of this collaborative history. The additional day is intended to break Black history out of the stricture of a month into its rightful place as an equal partner in the history of America. Each day, I will offer artifacts culled from the auction tables and my research, along with the stories they hold.
Feb. 2, 2022
Fetaque Sanders, a consummate African American magician
During the 1930s and 1940s, Fetaque Sanders was considered one of the country’s best magicians and its most famous Black magician. His first name is pronounced “Fe take,” and it was his given name when he was born in Nashville, TN, in 1915. He traveled the South entertaining African Americans with his tricks. He also performed for Black soldiers at USO Camps during World War II. He combined magic and humor. One of his acquaintances recalled a conversation with Sanders:
“He once asked me, ‘Do you see that the hair on the back of my head is curly? That’s from my Black heritage. And the hair in front is straight – from my white background.” He paused. ‘Do you see a bald spot on top? I guess that’s some kind of battleground for racial segregation.'” Read the full story.
