Help on Escape artist photograph needed

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

John,

This guy's stage name was "Gilbert" and although it does not mention his teacher by name, he is reffering to Joseph Dunninger to whom he gifted this inscribed promo pic.

Steve Santini

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

Thank you Steve. Once again, you've answered one of my questions. Do you know what it says above the signature?
After the word "from" ??? ??? pupil Gilbert
Great information about Dunninger too. Thanks again. This is great stuff. I appreciate the help.

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

I told you it is an amazing archive!

Steve Santini

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

It says...

"Warmest Regards" and,

"Devoted pupil"

Steve

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

I think it says something like "I paid $5 for this haircut at The Hair Cuttery!"

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

John

I agree with Steve. You got an amazing archive!

Joe

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

It was lucky for John that he was the first to step up and buy my extensive vintage escapology paper and photographic archive.

It is also nice to know that these rare items are now in the good hands of a person who will both treasure them and conserve them for the future.

Steve Santini

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

His full name was Albert Lahaie. He lived in Montreal, Canada, and was a member of the I.B.M. He seemed to do the full run of features; illusions, mentalism, sleight of hand and mind reading. He performed into the 1930s.

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

Thanks Bruce!! Any idea where the stage name
"Gilbert" came from? I have two photos of this guy, one
in straitjacket, and this one. Best, John

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

Bruce,

What is the source for this information?

Steve Santini

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

The source of this information is a copy of the same photograph with the name written on the edge, also several postcards with the name printed on it as well as a letterhead. All from a private collection.

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

Whose private collection?

Yours?

Steve Santini

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

No, not my collection - anyone wanting to see my collection can do so as long as they don't start spilling coffe on anything.
The collection the Lahaie material is in is a private one, and I did not get permission to reveal where or who. I was allowed to photocopy material in it as the owner understood my interest in escapology history and wanted to support my efforts in research. One condition was that I could not post or distribute images of the actual material.
So, I can tell, but I can't show!

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

I see...

Hello,
Who is this guy? It's a signed photograph of an early
20th century escape artist. The inscription reads, "With
best regards to the most famous genius and celebrated professor from ??????? pupil ?????(signature)"
Can you tell me what the question marks read?? Who is this?
I lightened up the signature, and showed a close up of this section. THANKS for your help. Best, John Bushey

Again, thanks to Steve and Bruce for sharing. Every bit of information helps. Any idea how the guy got or why he uses Gilbert as a stage name?