Search found 275 matches

by David Ben
March 30th, 2021, 8:04 am
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: New Yorker cartoon caption
Replies: 24
Views: 8536

Re: New Yorker cartoon caption

“Skip the ham”
by David Ben
March 22nd, 2021, 8:14 pm
Forum: General
Topic: ERDNASE
Replies: 8153
Views: 12324422

Re: ERDNASE

It was a joke and no, Marco, we are not going to explain it to you. :)
by David Ben
March 18th, 2021, 6:47 pm
Forum: General
Topic: ERDNASE
Replies: 8153
Views: 12324422

Re: ERDNASE

Except for the fact that it once belonged to Erdnase.
by David Ben
March 15th, 2021, 10:07 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: A new book about Kalanag
Replies: 22
Views: 7840

Re: A new book about Kalanag

David Mirvish, son of Ed Mirvish, who - with his father was/is one of the great presenters/producers of theatre in North America (and who at one point owned the Old Vic in London), and who loved magic, told me that he vowed to never invest in a magic show after seeing Kalanag because there were alwa...
by David Ben
December 1st, 2020, 1:52 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Stewart James
Replies: 77
Views: 69790

Re: Stewart James

Having just moved my book collection to another location, I realize now more than ever that it is time to part with some of my multiples. Crazy as it sounds, just because of my relationship with the various principals, I have, in addition to my own Collector Editions of SJIP and The James File, thos...
by David Ben
November 30th, 2020, 7:37 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Stewart James
Replies: 77
Views: 69790

Re: Stewart James

Bob The house is still there . Someone bought it. As for his stuff, at least the magic stuff, I ended up with most of it, including his family albums, military medals, his library, props and correspondence. Some of the material I have parted with from time to time. I have kept, however, things relat...
by David Ben
November 30th, 2020, 12:21 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Stewart James
Replies: 77
Views: 69790

Re: Stewart James

To add some meat to the bone presented by Max’s note in the January 2005 issue of Genii, it was Pat Lyons – the wife of P. Howard Lyons – who introduced by letter Rob Bloch to the world of Stewart James. Howard, of course, was a James-junkie, and he brought Pat with him on a visit to Stewart’s home ...
by David Ben
November 15th, 2020, 7:26 pm
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: WTB: David P Abbott related, spirit portrait
Replies: 3
Views: 750

Re: WTB: David P Abbott related, spirit portrait

Well, you’ll have to hunt for a set made by a Thayer-Owen. They don’t come up very often. I have a stage size version, modelled on the Dic Nixon staging, which I believe to be the best. (Custom built for me by my builder.) My canvases are quite large, however, which contributes significantly to the ...
by David Ben
November 14th, 2020, 6:56 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: WTB: David P Abbott related, spirit portrait
Replies: 3
Views: 750

Re: WTB: David P Abbott related, spirit portrait

What do you mean by “spirit portrait”? Are you looking for the book that describes his handling, the magazine where it was first described, or working apparatus to perform it on stage? It would be helpful to know what specifically you are interested in.
by David Ben
August 31st, 2020, 7:12 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Vernon's Slow Motion Card Vanish
Replies: 5
Views: 1598

Re: Vernon's Slow Motion Card Vanish

Richard, the clips you just referenced were taken from our film with Daniel Zuckerbrot, Dai Vernon - The Spirit of Magic. I know this to be true because the sequence of Vernon dealing cards was not actually Vernon. They were actually Scarne’s hands. We intentionally slowed down the the Scarne footag...
by David Ben
August 28th, 2020, 7:47 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Ditching whilst pulling pen or lighter from pocket - history?
Replies: 16
Views: 2812

Re: Ditching whilst pulling pen or lighter from pocket - history?

I believe Arthur Finely, also known as Henry Gavin, published this ruse initially way back when. He was the guy who would apparently place t he coin in the hand, remove the pen from the pocket as a wand, and make the coin vanish. He, however, while removing the pen, secretly loaded the coin in the u...
by David Ben
August 11th, 2020, 7:32 pm
Forum: General
Topic: The Tragic Rhythm - David Ben
Replies: 45
Views: 14142

Re: The Tragic Rhythm - David Ben

Joe, forgive me for jumping in here, but I am not convinced that you need conflict in magic. Also that magic, although depending on the branch, may share certain characteristics with theatre and comedy, it is, at least when it comes to sleight of hand, something different. Your reading assignment, s...
by David Ben
August 9th, 2020, 6:42 pm
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: For Sale 57 issues of The Crimp, Jerry Sadowitz magazine
Replies: 5
Views: 1955

Re: For Sale 57 issues of The Crimp, Jerry Sadowitz magazine

Anemann

I have lots of complete files of magazines. Send me a note at david@davidben.com and we can discuss what you are interested in.
by David Ben
August 1st, 2020, 1:21 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New coin move?
Replies: 54
Views: 6598

Re: New coin move?

No, no, not at all.

“Great” meant I agree with you. What may come as a surprise to some Forum readers, my private correspondence tends to be very short - only a few words if that. So I wanted to acknowledge your comment with appreciation, but reverted to my normal mode.

Sorry about that.
by David Ben
August 1st, 2020, 11:41 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New coin move?
Replies: 54
Views: 6598

Re: New coin move?

Great.
by David Ben
August 1st, 2020, 9:12 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New coin move?
Replies: 54
Views: 6598

Re: New coin move?

I suggest you check out Ross Bertram's "B.U.D." move in Bertram on Sleight of Hand. It uses the simple 'drop' concept of a coin, and other objects, from one hand directly into the other hand positioned, as one might say, as a servante. It is done mid-air, that is, without a table as cover,...
by David Ben
July 3rd, 2020, 11:26 am
Forum: General
Topic: 2020 Allan Slaight Award Recipients
Replies: 3
Views: 1439

2020 Allan Slaight Award Recipients

Magicana is pleased to announce the latest round of Allan Slaight Award Recipients for excellence in magic. Here are links to various video clips recognizing the various recipients: Canadian Rising Star The Sentimentalists https://www.dropbox.com/s/n0v0m6wllnkhl3d/9%20canadian%20June%2027.mov?dl=0 I...
by David Ben
May 9th, 2020, 6:40 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Frank Garcia Books
Replies: 39
Views: 5480

Re: Frank Garcia Books

For what it may be worth, I believe the “Your Best” line was created by P. Howard Lyons, and made its appearance in an advertising flyer he distributed covertly (perhaps aided by Bob Weill) at an early FFFF. The flyer purportedly advertised a new publication, “Your Best”, a play on “My Best”, a work...
by David Ben
April 27th, 2020, 6:24 am
Forum: General
Topic: Erdnase photographer ?
Replies: 43
Views: 28963

Re: Erdnase photographer ?

I suggest that if Marshall D. Smith knew that people today thought that he had traced any of his illustrative work from photographs, he would be rolling in his grave. The curriculum of the type of training Smith would have taken would have been on the French system that flourished in the 1890s, part...
by David Ben
April 24th, 2020, 7:27 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Erdnase photographer ?
Replies: 43
Views: 28963

Re: Erdnase photographer ?

Against my better judgment, here is some food for thought.... My partner is a professional visual artist, figurative work her speciality. She had scholarships to the College of Art in London, and the Beaux Art in Paris. I asked her to take a look at the drawings, and opine whether they were done fro...
by David Ben
March 31st, 2020, 1:11 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Best McDonald's Aces Routine
Replies: 175
Views: 420542

Re: Best McDonald's Aces Routine

Bob - I don't have the books at hand but I believe it was in Mixed Macs. It is an incredibly detailed sequence, with McDonald's Aces being the end of it, but you should really look at how he does the layout, the various vanishes, and the clean up.
by David Ben
March 30th, 2020, 7:18 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Best McDonald's Aces Routine
Replies: 175
Views: 420542

Re: Best McDonald's Aces Routine

Howard Lyons once told me that Fr. Cyprian’s ringing in of the cards was the best. He apparently used the Stevens Control with a double backer. It is on my To Do list to reconstruct. I asked Cyp about it once and he was his usual self-effacing self. I seem to recall that he did say he described it o...
by David Ben
March 30th, 2020, 7:13 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Best McDonald's Aces Routine
Replies: 175
Views: 420542

Re: Best McDonald's Aces Routine

I believe Johnny Thompson’s handling is the best. It is in his book. I remember phoning Johnny as I was editing the book and telling him how amazing it is. It is incorporated within a larger routine, but could easily be used on its own.
by David Ben
March 25th, 2020, 5:35 am
Forum: General
Topic: Allan Slaight Covid-19 Relief Fund
Replies: 8
Views: 2282

Allan Slaight Covid-19 Relief Fund

Magicians have always spoken of the “magic community.” Well now more than ever is the time to prove that we are, indeed, a community. To that end, Magicana is thrilled to follow the lead of the Slaight Family, and administer at their request, the Allan Slaight Relief Fund, a financial aid package fo...
by David Ben
February 23rd, 2020, 5:28 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: David Ben on Art, the Internet, Magicians and Fake News
Replies: 12
Views: 2698

Re: David Ben on Art, the Internet, Magicians and Fake News

First, thank you for the kind comments about the article in the Globe. The exhibition is truly marvelous, and with a slightly different spin than the one staged initially at the McCord Museum. We hope you get the chance to see it in Toronto. Second, I apologize if this post is rather lengthy but you...
by David Ben
September 17th, 2019, 5:23 pm
Forum: Reference Room
Topic: Vernon fools Houdini
Replies: 82
Views: 73927

Re: Vernon fools Houdini

Brad Although the Revelations series is wonderful, I try to remind myself that Vernon was around 88 years of age when the series was shot, and there was no one on set who really knew the historical facts of his life. So, there are a lot of errors that have been disseminated. (My mother, who passed a...
by David Ben
September 17th, 2019, 5:14 pm
Forum: Reference Room
Topic: Vernon fools Houdini
Replies: 82
Views: 73927

Re: Vernon fools Houdini

Bill Vernon did technically serve in the First World War. He was pulled out of Royal Military College just as trouble was brewing. Royal Military College was the training ground for Officers for the Canadian Expeditionary Force sent overseas to fight. If Vernon had graduated, he would have been hard...
by David Ben
September 17th, 2019, 10:29 am
Forum: Reference Room
Topic: Vernon fools Houdini
Replies: 82
Views: 73927

Re: Vernon fools Houdini

I placed the Vernon-Houdini encounter in 1922 as documented in my biography of Vernon for a variety of reasons. Although Vernon once placed the event in 1919, he also once placed it in 1922. He did say in both instances, however, that it took place in Chicago. During my extensive research into Verno...
by David Ben
August 16th, 2019, 5:37 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Is there a method similar to this double lift turnover?
Replies: 12
Views: 4729

Re: Is there a method similar to this double lift turnover?

Yes. I believe so. I certainly have one. Mine (unpublished) may be, however, a reconstruction of an unpublished Vernon handling from the 1920s. Of course, unless one sees it live - yours and mine - one can never be sure.
by David Ben
August 7th, 2019, 4:21 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Aspergers and Magic?
Replies: 93
Views: 30260

Re: Aspergers and Magic?

I have known Bob and his wife for over forty years. Truer words have not been written.
by David Ben
August 7th, 2019, 2:08 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Aspergers and Magic?
Replies: 93
Views: 30260

Re: Aspergers and Magic?

Joe, obviously you are free to think and say what you want. So no offense taken. I’ve had lots of people diagnosed with Aspergers in my life. Just because someone thinks different, lives in the same house, and once wrote about an abusive parent and sounds, isn’t enough in my book to make someone an ...
by David Ben
August 6th, 2019, 6:29 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Aspergers and Magic?
Replies: 93
Views: 30260

Re: Aspergers and Magic?

I have always said that some people think musically, others visually, some with language, etc. I believe some think magically, that is they view the world as a series of paradoxes that they can resolve. I am one of those. Stewart was too
by David Ben
August 6th, 2019, 5:33 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Aspergers and Magic?
Replies: 93
Views: 30260

Re: Aspergers and Magic?

Lots of magicians are on the spectrum. My late wife, a primary educator, wanted to give the Aspergers Test to the magicians who attended our conference 31 Faces North. She was sure half would make the grade. As for Stewart, I knew him very well. I do not believe he had Aspergers. Stewart had very go...
by David Ben
December 10th, 2018, 9:09 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: WTB Fitch Kohler Holdout with Fitch coin attachment
Replies: 1
Views: 1232

Re: WTB Fitch Kohler Holdout with Fitch coin attachment

Piff

I believe I know where one is that would be for sale. Please send me an email at info@davidben.com and I'll report back.

David
by David Ben
June 4th, 2018, 2:28 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Jacob Daley
Replies: 16
Views: 9205

Re: Jacob Daley

They did not sell at the auction. I bought them from Linda Cervon afterwards.

The Daley book is in the works. Just not by me.
by David Ben
December 21st, 2017, 4:24 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Allan Slaight Chair for the Conjuring Arts
Replies: 40
Views: 7242

Re: Allan Slaight Chair for the Conjuring Arts

I tend to agree with Joe. For me, Magic is more of a craft that can be, when it is in the hands of an artist, an art. Unfortunately, artists in magic are few and far between. Hopefully this program at Carleton will raise the level for all concerned or interested.
by David Ben
December 21st, 2017, 7:58 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Allan Slaight Chair for the Conjuring Arts
Replies: 40
Views: 7242

Re: Allan Slaight Chair for the Conjuring Arts

Probably a few months. I imagine they will announce the Chair in the spring. Not sure yet when classes start. Either September 2018 or, more likely, January 2019.
by David Ben
December 19th, 2017, 12:12 pm
Forum: General
Topic: The Paul Daniels Magic Show
Replies: 18
Views: 10887

Re: The Paul Daniels Magic Show

Magicana will be doing an online exhibition culled from Daniel’s television appearances hopefully late next year.
by David Ben
November 29th, 2017, 3:10 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Dai Vernon: The Spirit of Magic
Replies: 6
Views: 2495

Re: Dai Vernon: The Spirit of Magic

Wonderful. Many thanks.

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