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...

60 Great Magic Posters - UPDATE and COPY FOR SALE

Dover Publishing tried some "hocus pocus" of their own with this book. Apparently, they copied some posters from various sources without their permission. The book is now unavailable and very hard to find. I have a copy for sale. The book is in very good shape and contains the DVD with all the bonuses. Because the book has been pulled from the shelves and almost impossible to find, my asking price is $200 USD (PAYPAL or credit card only). Email me at crmagic@comcast.net if you are interested.

It has been a busy time of year for me and I have neglected this blog-again. Nevertheless, I wish all of you a happy and healthy holiday season. I'll be back in 2012!

Chicago Magic Book Project

Time sure does fly. I haven't written much here because I have busy busy researching my new book on Chicago Magicians. If you are a magician who has lived and performed in the Chicago land area for over 20 years, I would love to hear from you. You can contact me at crmagic@comcast.net.

I'm also sad to report the passing of my good friend, Hank Moorehouse. I was shocked when I heard the news. Hank died suddenly in China a week or so ago. My last blog entry was about him. Rest in peace, my friend.

Until next time...

Hank Moorehouse - An early inspiration

Well, it has been a busy month or so.  I have been busy working on some research for a possible book project.

I attended and displayed at the annual Knights of Sleights Flea Market the night before the Magic Collectors Convention. Mike Caveney, John Carney, Harry Monti, Marshall Brodien, David Parr, Hank Moorehouse and many others attended the flea market. It was a lot of fun and I sold some of my “excess” props and books. It is a perfect time for Spring cleaning the magic room!

Hank Moorehouse has been a friend of mine since I was in the sixth grade. He came to my school to do a magic show. The principal knew I was a magician and offered my services. I helped Hank carry his props and set up. His show was great and I will never forget his kindness and generosity. About all I can remember was a burnt bill routine and an escape from a stock. I think it was Abbott's version. I do recall he gave me a few tricks after the show. We have kept in touch ever since that day.

After seeing Hank's show I knew I wanted to be a magician. Looking back I really appreciate the time he took out to be with me that day and how he has always been willing to answer my questions.

Never dismiss or ignore a child who has an interest in the art. They may actually turn out to be a dedicated student and a life-long practitioner.

Hank, thanks for the all the fond memories and taking the time to share a little magic with a sixth grader.

Visit http://www.moorehousemagic.com/ for more info on Hank Moorehouse.

60 Great Magic Posters - A Review

In 1975, Charles and Regina Reynolds compiled and wrote 100 Years of Magic Posters (Darien House). It is a large format (11" x 16") book filled with 96 full color and black and white reproductions of magicians’ posters. Today the book is sought after by collectors. Many kids who bought the book back in the ‘70s cut the posters out and pinned them to their bedroom walls or decorated their magic props and cases. I was one of those kids, but later I bought two more copies of the book and kept them intact. The book can be found on EBay occasionally anywhere from $50 to $100.
Nothing has been done like the Reynolds book until the new paperbacked book by Dover, 60 Great Magic Posters (edited by Carol Belanger Grafton).  The book is 8-1/2" x 11" and printed in full color. The 64 pages contain poster art from the golden age of magic when magicians used colorful and imaginative lithographs to promote themselves. The collection includes images of Herrmann, Carter, Houdini, Thurston and many other prominent illusionists. Many of the posters have been seen before, but there are a few that are rarely reproduced in color.

What makes this book unique is the inclusion of a double-sided DVD. This DVD includes three different types of images - high-resolution (300 dpi) images that can be used to print large format prints, JPG images for low-resolution use (72 dpi) and hi-res screen saver images. All of the images are royalty-free so they can be used as they wish. 10 "bonus" images can also be downloaded.

The compilation also has a short biography section of the magicians featured on the DVD. I found this part of the book to be lacking and not of any real significance. The other negative of the book is that many of the images seem to be scanned images of printed posters from other resources. If you plan on printing larger format posters you may see the quality of the image is not of the highest quality.

All in all, this compilation of posters with DVD is affordable and welcomed. At $12.00 and change you shouldn't hesitate adding this book to your collection.