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Otto Maurer (1846-1900) was a German who moved to New York and ran a famous magic shop in the Bowery for almost 30 years. According to a probably apocryphal story the back palm entered the repertoire when a Mexican (or some accounts say Cuban) magician entered Maurer's shop and showed him the technique, then left without giving his name. (Actual credit for the back palm generally goes to Howard Thurson.)
