The January 10 luncheon of the Caxton Club of Chicago features James Hagy, co-author with Sage Hagy of Fair Tricks: The Magicians at the Columbian Exposition, Chicago 1893.

Recent scholarship has confirmed the long-assumed basic presence of a young Howard Thurston and an even younger Harry Houdini, both then unknown but who would soon become the two most recognized magicians of the vaudeville era. But how extensive were conjurors’ contributions to the “Magic of the White City”? Fair Tricks pulls back the (non-existent) curtain of the Midway to reveal the remarkable range of world magicians who appeared in, and around, Chicago at this extraordinary moment.

The Caxton Club meets at the Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Boulevard in Chicago. Buffet opens at 11:30 am; program 12:30-1:30. Luncheon is $35. Reservation required by noon on January 8. Reserve and pay at caxtonclub.org, call 312-255-3710, or e-mail caxtonclub@newberry.org.