Description:Studio portrait of the magician Professor Burko performing a card trick. A caption behind him reads "Burko A Laugh For A Look". Photograph probably taken to promote his magic act.
George Meddings' (1863-1936) professional career as Professor Burko the Silent Wizard began in 1888 and he was hailed as one of 'The Greatest Card Manipulators in the World, New and Original' during his run at the Grand Theatre in Liverpool during the week commencing 19th November 1888. Professor Burko preformed his magic act in many towns and cities across Britain and America before his death at the age of 72.
This glass plate was probably taken by Weiss & Fowke. Charles Fowke was based at the Victoria Road studio from about 1904, at first in partnership with Paul Weiss (Wise). The partnership was dissolved in 1916 and Fowke carried on until about 1937. Bertram Sinkinson was a celebrated Stafford photographer, who took over the premises of C.E. Fowke at 15 Victoria Road, Stafford in 1936-7. Sinkinson was later president of the Royal Photographic Society, 1953-1955. He was awarded an OBE in 1957 and was Mayor of Stafford in 1959 and died in 1985.