Lu Brent
(Camden, New Jersey: 24th November 1903 - 31st March 1993)
Of Russian-Polish parents. Born Boleslaw Jósef Lubrant, changed to Benjamin Joseph Lubrent. Aka "Lu-Brent". Also signed himself "B. Lu Brent". Inspired at age c15 seeing Horace Goldin show. US Army Signal Corps 1921-27. Semi-pro since 1927 and pro since 1930.
Invented Cig-O-Test by 1932, the build-it-yourself Card Castle in 1945, Two Into Ones (folded $2 bill opens into two $1 bills) in 1948, the Diminishing Bills in 1950, and Bill to Matches in 1961.
Wrote Novel Magic (1932; repr 1946, 43pp), Torn and Restored Magazine Cover (1939, 8pp; 2nd ed 1953, 9pp), Super Card Mysteries [1933], Five Star Card Effects (1943), Fifteen Star Card Effects (1956, 26pp), Totally Refreshing Ideas and Carefully Kept Secrets (1966, 38pp), and Lu Brent's Best Magic Tricks (2 vols, 1969, 1974, 42pp+45pp). Articles in Sphinx, Jinx, Tops, Phoenix, Ireland's YB:1952, Dope Sheet, Genii, Pallbearers, and Magigram.
