Happy Holidays!

It's hard to believe another year is almost over. I wish all of you the best of health and happiness in the new year.

For the past ten years or so I have created my own magic-themed holiday card. Here is the one for this year - Santa and Houdini. Happy Holidays!

Out of Print

Only 5 copies of my book, THE ART OF DECEPTION, are available before it is officially out of print. Get your copy today http://bit.ly/NhVC6G

Houdini Whodunit

Besides writing and performing, I also enjoy doing illustrations. I am a graphic designer by trade. In 1995 I did an illustration of Houdini (below) in the style of a woodcut. That image was used on a set of note cards I produced and sold. The Houdini Historical Center (HHC) in Appleton, Wisconsin sold the cards in their gift shop. The liked the illustration so much the used it on the cover of their gift catalog that year. The HHC usage was the only time I gave permission to use the image.

I came across my Houdini image again a few years later while surfing the web. This time it was being used as table decoration for a “magic” bar in Spain! I was shocked because I knew nothing about it. In a way I was flattered, but I was also a little angry I wasn’t asked for permission. Who was the person that pilfered my Houdini image? I have no idea. http://www.flickr.com/photos/8044288@N07/2487157147/sizes/l/in/photostream/

The other day I took a look at one of my favorite blogs, Wild about Harry. It is the creation of John Cox. If you are a Houdini fan you should really take a look at it. The blog entry “Houdini apparition appears in Visalia?” really caught my attention. There was my Houdini image being used again. This time the Houdini portrait had been painted on the side of a house in California! Who took the time, effort and paint to steal the great escape artist’s visage this time? I will probably never know.

In retrospect I am glad so many people like the image and choose to “use” it. Maybe next time somebody will ask for my permission before they paint it onto the side of a house. Until then I am happy to keep the memory of Harry Houdini alive!

Where did they print those magic lithographs?

Carter, Brush, Maro and many other wonderful magicians had their posters produced by Goes Litho in Chicago. The factory was located at 42 West 61st St. Below is a photo of what the building looks like.

The Goes Lithographing Company was founded in 1879. The company moved from Chicago years ago and is now located in Delavan, Wisconsin. They no longer print posters, but they do still print stock certificates and awards. Reportedly, Goes donated some original litho stones and  printing presses to The Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY, Stout State University, Menominee Wisconsin Graphics School, The Art Institute of Chicago and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC.

Maybe there is a hidden stash of magic posters left in the Chicago factory just waiting to be found. We will never know... 

Brush poster printed by Goes.

P.S. - The Dover poster book I had for sale is SOLD.

Paul Rosini - A Hidden Gem

In 1999 I wrote and published House of Cards - The Life and Magic of Paul Rosini. I was always a fan of Rosini, but there wasn't much information available. So, I decided to write a book on the great magician. Rosini was wonderful (in my opinion) and he had a style all his own. His magic had a great effect on his audience.

During the course of writing the book, I uncovered a lot of new information on Rosini. I love to do research. You never know what you will find. Just when you think you've found it all, something new turns up.

I recently purchased this photo of Paul Rosini. It really shows his personality. I was happy to find it since I had never seen it before.

So, go out and search for something new -- an idea, information, etc. You never know what you'll find!
Until next time...