VANTEEN 12.25.26 - 12.21.06


My Life As An Outdoor Showman

I graduated from Chavez School of Manual Dexterity and Prestidigation in Los Angeles, CA. in April, 1948. I spent the next ten years working with various sideshows on carnivals and circuses. Beginning in 1959 I had my own 10-in-1 sideshow, touring with carnivals throughout the U.S. and Canada for over thirty years. I'll be using this site to tell some stories from my life during those times; my many varied adventures as an outdoor showman, illusionist, and prestidigator.

From the Webmistress...
DEAR FRIENDS PLEASE NOTE: On the evening of December 21, 2006, just 5 days short of his 80th birthday and surrounded by his family, Vanteen passed quietly of natural causes at the home of his daughter in Three Points, Arizona. I was not present as I was again in the hospital due to my ongoing battle with ovarian cancer. I wish to thank all those who have visited this site over the years and enjoyed it. Be assured that I will keep the site on the web as an archive, so that others who are interested in this now-vanished lifestyle can read about it from someone who lived it firsthand. My sincere thanks to everyone who visits here! You may of course send your condolences via eMail, however I will be unable to answer them. - Luna, webmistress.




Above, a photo of Van with "Billiard Balls" - one of his specialties - taken during his Chavez days, when he performed his act evenings at nite clubs in the LA area.

This site last updated One January, 2007



Tales of an outdoor showman

The Early Years: My start in magic.
Touring coast to coast: 1950-58
The Circus of the Fantastic: 1959-1963
More Circus of the Fantastic: 1964-1970
Beyond the Circus of the Fantastic:: 1970 to the present
My Grind Show Days: 1971 thru 1987
Tidbits from along the way: and other stuff I just plain forgot!
Sign my Guestbook: your comments, if you please!

Vanteen

amazingvanteen@yahoo.com
Amazing Vanteen's Pocket Magic Shop
Catalina, AZ



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