Marie Ann Ford

Background

Talma was born in England while her husband was Belgian.

Career

As a performer, she adopted the name Mercedes Talma but was generally known just as Talma. They named their act "The Comedians de Mephisto Company" but they were much better known as Le Roy, Talma & Bosco. Le Roy is credited with devising the Asrah levitation illusion, which he and Talma first performed in London in 1914.

Achievements

• She became accomplished at performing sleight of hand and manipulation acts, especially coin manipulation, and she was often billed as "The Queen of Coins".