Vanni Bossi from Italy passed away

[Marco Pusterla]

It's with sadness that I have to announce the death, last night (Friday 5th December 2008) of Italian magician, historian and collector, Vanni Bossi (http://www.vannibossi.info/). At the moment, I don't have any further information other than he's been unwell for a while.

Vanni Bossi had a long and distinguished magic career and was the first to discover that the Si Stebbins stack had actually been published in 1593 by Horatio Galasso in his "Giochi di Carte".

R.I.P.

[Eric DeCamps]

[size:14pt][font:Book Antiqua]This is shocking news.

The last time I saw Vanni was at the Los Angeles Magic History Conference in 2007 where he showed me some beautiful coin work. Vanni was a gifted magician, a magic historian, a magic collector, a gentlemen and an exceptional ambassador for our art form. Our paths seldom crossed but when it did I was always amazed with his thinking and his passion for the art of magic.

With all the losses we have had in magic this year, 2008 has been tough year.

Eric DeCamps
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[AnthonyBrahams]

Horrified and shocked by the news of Vanni's passing. We were together a lot at IBM Eastbourne a couple of years ago, having first met over 50 years ago. He seemed to have recovered a bit from the loss of Piera (who made the best risotto!) so thoughts and sympathies go to their son, Stefano, if anyone in Italy can pass the message on please.

I must mention his big contribution to our art. In recent years his baffling Bill Penetration, novel Ring Flight (reel-less), Ring in Light Bulb, Card Fold.Earlier Presentations at Escorial ( I did not attend but he gave me some of them including the built-in board for Okito Box).

[Reinhard Mueller]

I am really deeply distressed of Vannis' death.
Last time I met my friend in Vienna in April 2008, where he lectured on the occasion of the festivities of "100 Years of Magischer Klub Wien". Then I met him several times in Escorial.
We have lost one of the most creative,lateral thinking magicians...
Mge er in Frieden ruhen! R.I.P.
Reinhard

[SCobalt]

Vanni did a joint lecture with Giacomo Bertini in Toronto about a year ago. I could not make the lecture but we did go out for dinner the next day along with a few other wonderful magicians. Vanni was the most gracious, man I have met in quite some time. He fooled me over and over with brilliant ideas and principles! This night is certainly a highlight of my short magic life to date and the news of his passing literally took my breath away.

A sad, sad day.

Rest in peace Vanni.

Shane

[Marco Pusterla]

For those who haven't had a chance to see Vanni Bossi's magic, these clips should give an idea of his skill and his ideas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PwhTbes3qA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjpmvVid9gY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJQmzI_LVSI

(the clips are in Italian, but the magic is very visual)

[Jamy Ian Swiss]

This is very sad news, indeed. I was privileged to know Vanni for perhaps 20 years. He was a truly marvelous man, mind, and magician - a genuine Renaissance man. Gracious, stylish, intellectual, scholarly, and one of the cleverest magical creators and performs imaginable - an unsung maestro. Those three clips are all among my many favorites of Vannni's original creations. I remember him fooling me with the card in glass at our first encounter, many years ago. He was a special person, and I will miss him greatly.

[Brad Henderson]

Enjoyed "deconstructing" the Hooker Card Rise with him over the last conference. Super nice man, very smart - about so many things. I regret not having the chance to benefit more from his knowledge.

Brad Henderson

[Bill McFadden]

Another saddening shock . . . Vanni was one of the most elegant men I've ever met. I did have the good fortune to attend two of his WMS lectures, and yes, he was the total package. We chatted about how I've always wanted to visit Milano. Alas, I shall never get to call on him there. The world of magic is diminished with his passing.

[Gordon Bean]

I'll always remember the sharp mind that shone through those gentle, kind eyes. He was like the nicest spy in the world. How sad to think that the pulse of a magic get-together can never again be quickened by the news that "Vanni's here!"

[Pete Biro]

I didn't know him well, but did see him a number of times. He was one of the "better" ones... it is sad to lose so many fine magicians and people over the past year...

His magic will live on...

R.I.P.

[John Carney]

I'm very distressed at this........

Vanni was a great guy, one I was happy to call a friend. A real gentleman.

..........And what a brilliant mind. One of my favorite thinkers.

I certainly will never forget him.

[Richard Kaufman]

Too many, too young, too soon. It's been a bad few months.

[Richard Kaufman]

Can anyone provide some basic biographical information on Vanni?

[Paul Gordon]

Vanni Bossi and I spent a lot of time at FFFF and the British IBM convention. He always got the biggest gasps when doing impromptu magic in the bars. A really nice fella, too...

RIP Vanni

Paul Gordon

[David Regal]

As I saw Vanni's lecture I realized with a start that a number of incredible tricks that I'd been shown over the years, credited to "Gee, I'm not sure..." were Vanni Bossi's. What a mind for magic. Thrilling.

[Richard Kaufman]

I've got my biographical information now, thanks.
Vanni was a lovely guy.

[AnthonyBrahams]

Thank you, Genii, for the tributes to Vanni in the February issue, just arrived in the Far East of England. I very much appreciate the writings of the top columnists designated and the photo on Richard's page is so excellent.

While writing I must correct my earlier posting in shocked haste: I had not known him for 50 years (wish it would have become that) but over 30.