Fred Kaps - Born June 8, 1926 - Died July 22, 1980 

Born in Rotterdam, Holland. Stage name of Abraham "Bram" Pieter Adrianus Bongers. Inspired as a child. Aka "Mystica" at start of career until December 1950 when he became "Fred Kaps". Student of Henk Vermeyden. Top-line professional close-up worker and stage magician.

Won FISM Grand Prix 1950 (as "Mystica"), 1955, 1961, making him the only 3-time winner of magic's most prestigious competition award. Toured all Europe in 1955 and USA in 1956. Called "World's Greatest Magician" in 1972 by George Anderson a widely shared opinion. In 1980 presented by The Academy of Magic Arts A Masters Fellowship Award.  Received from The Society of American Magicians Hall of Fame. Died of cancer.