Search found 59 matches

by JimAlfredson
December 6th, 2014, 9:00 pm
Forum: Other Magic Publications
Topic: Magicol 188 - Paul Fox
Replies: 5
Views: 14242

Re: Magicol 188

All I can say, Dustin, is AMEN to your words. A splendid issue.
by JimAlfredson
November 11th, 2014, 11:57 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Bobby Bernard R.I.P.
Replies: 16
Views: 6277

Re: Bobby Bernard R.I.P.

One couldn't say I was surprised at Bobby's passing, as he'd been having health problems for some time; however, that in no way assuaged the pain I felt. In the days when I used to travel to the UK regularly, it was a great pleasure to join with him for a good chart at the Magic Circle and I looked ...
by JimAlfredson
September 16th, 2014, 11:40 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Phil Willmarth has passed
Replies: 12
Views: 3863

Re: Phil Willmarth has passed

Phil was a sensible soul, as well as being a nice guy, with whom I had many'a candid conversation on the state-of-the-art. His hard work on behalf of the IBM, and his contributions to the Chicago magic scene will not be soon forgotten, and I can certainly say I valued his friendship greatly. You'll ...
by JimAlfredson
August 24th, 2014, 8:13 pm
Forum: General
Topic: George Jason
Replies: 17
Views: 10470

Re: George Jason

Just a couple of skits come to mind, used both by Jason/Stern and Stern/Fox. The usual caveat goes with them: "Ya hadda be there!" as they're hardly gut-busters when typed out. Anyone who ever saw them knows what great muggers, etc., that all three men were. One I recall involved pouring l...
by JimAlfredson
July 4th, 2014, 12:02 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Inventor of this old trick? - Tube magic
Replies: 13
Views: 5062

Re: Inventor of this old trick? - Tube magic

Perhaps Eddie Dawes or some other British magical scholar can help on this, but I have always understood that the ghost/phantom tube was the invention of one George LeWalke of the UK, but I have no reference other than a note telling me no more than this on either the trick or LeWalke. Pity such a c...
by JimAlfredson
January 20th, 2014, 12:34 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Brian McCullagh
Replies: 5
Views: 2502

Re: Brian McCullagh

What a shock to read Kent Blackmore's notification of the passing of old friend Brian McCullagh. Brian wrote a lot of splendid material, mostly on the rather neglected history of magic in Australia. A teacher by profession, Brian wrote a number of books and pamphlets on magic history, and from 1990 ...
by JimAlfredson
November 1st, 2013, 4:03 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Whose Illusion is This? I think We All Know
Replies: 74
Views: 25900

Re: Whose Illusion is This? I think We All Know

Sorry, Diego, I didn't read fare enough through the letters.
by JimAlfredson
November 1st, 2013, 3:59 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Whose Illusion is This? I think We All Know
Replies: 74
Views: 25900

Re: Whose Illusion is This? I think We All Know

Some guy? It was Rajah Raboid. Some guy. -jim
by JimAlfredson
October 4th, 2013, 9:53 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Magicol 185!
Replies: 7
Views: 3239

Re: Magicol 185!

Just wanted to join the line of fans praising MAGICOL No. 185. A judicious selection of contributors resulted in a series of articles with a different skew than those appearing in the other periodicals, and most enjoyable they were. Old time subscribers are no strangers to occasional tardiness. Gran...
by JimAlfredson
May 17th, 2013, 11:21 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: To the Guy Who Makes All This Possible ...
Replies: 23
Views: 4712

Re: To the Guy Who Makes All This Possible ...

One year closer to the grave, Kaufman! I'll buy you a Slurpy when we meet in LA. Cheers! -jim
by JimAlfredson
May 3rd, 2013, 11:58 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: RIP: Dennis Loomis
Replies: 17
Views: 6171

Re: RIP: Dennis Loomis

A real shock. Denny was raised in a small town some 40 miles from where I write this, and I first met him--and Doug Henning--at an Abbott Get-Together many years ago. We kept in touch off-and-on over the years, and he was a great guy. His attention to detail in his magic assured always excellent per...
by JimAlfredson
April 17th, 2013, 8:19 pm
Forum: Feature Articles
Topic: Merlin Cover May 2013
Replies: 8
Views: 16140

Re: Merlin Cover May 2013

Found time to sit down this evening and read Jim's excellent piece on Merlin, and say "Amen" to the previous replies. I suspect I've read nearly everything he's wriitten, starting with the first edition of "Jarrett," all read with pleasure and edification. As usual, this was anot...
by JimAlfredson
April 13th, 2013, 12:14 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NEMCA President Ed Hill Has Died
Replies: 2
Views: 1170

Re: NEMCA President Ed Hill Has Died

What a shock to read about Ed Hill. Certainly one of magic's nicest, most cooperative people. Had my usual grand time at the last NEMCA gathering, and a great deal of it was due to Ed and Pat, the ever-genial hosts. NEMCA certainly won't be the same without Ed, who left his indelible mark on the occ...
by JimAlfredson
December 25th, 2012, 11:56 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Bill Miesel Has Died
Replies: 12
Views: 3297

Re: Bill Miesel Has Died

A phone call yesterday from Ed Eckl told me of the passing of our great mutual pal Bill Miesel on the 23rd. Bill died in his sleep of a massive coronary; he is survived by his sister. A friend of many years, Bill was well-known by not only 'card addicts,' but by so many others in magic who appreciat...
by JimAlfredson
December 4th, 2012, 11:10 am
Forum: Kaufman & Company
Topic: DeLand
Replies: 187
Views: 823558

Re: DeLand

Always good to have an update on this splendid project. I'm really looking forward to it. Cheers, old boy! -jim
by JimAlfredson
November 27th, 2012, 11:10 am
Forum: General
Topic: Mickey O'Malley tickles
Replies: 5
Views: 2355

Re: Mickey O'Malley tickles

Not only was Micky O'Malley's work great, but knowing him from his Detroit boyhood days [as Micky Ostaski (sp?)] he was a great guy, too!
by JimAlfredson
March 24th, 2012, 11:47 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Frank Dailey - RIP
Replies: 5
Views: 1693

Re: Frank Dailey - RIP

What sad news. Frank was a long-time friend, and a regular at most of the magic collector conferences, along with his late wife Margaret. He'd been a magic collector for many years, and had some particularly nice material on Tampa and the Davenport brothers. He was generous with his knowledge and ev...
by JimAlfredson
March 24th, 2012, 11:44 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Frank Dailey - RIP
Replies: 5
Views: 1693

Re: Frank Dailey - RIP

What sad news. Frank was a long-time friend, and a regular at most of the magic collector conferences, along with his late wife Margaret. He'd been a magic collector for many years, and had some particularly nice material on Tampa and the Davenport brothers. He was generous with his knowledge and ev...
by JimAlfredson
December 10th, 2011, 12:12 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: How did The Billboard/Amusement Business mags affect you?
Replies: 8
Views: 3358

Re: How did The Billboard/Amusement Business mags affect you?

There's probably a lot 'out here' whose experience is similar to my own. I started reading BILLBOARD when I was 12 or 14 or so, and started each issue by turning to Bill Sach's magic column. Then I returned to the front page and began paging through it. I seldom missed a weekly issue, in spite of th...
by JimAlfredson
December 1st, 2011, 8:15 pm
Forum: Kaufman & Company
Topic: New Japan Close-Up Book
Replies: 71
Views: 23663

Re: New Japan Close-Up Book

Richard: Couldn't be more excited to hear the news! I can hardly wait 'til it hits the streets. Cheers -jim
by JimAlfredson
November 1st, 2011, 10:46 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Happy Halloween from the Folks at Genii!
Replies: 1
Views: 628

Re: Happy Halloween from the Folks at Genii!

Pinching Max Maven's act already!
by JimAlfredson
September 19th, 2011, 12:16 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Earle Oakes has Died
Replies: 24
Views: 7638

Re: Earle Oakes has Died

Just read of Earle Oakes' passing, and am truly saddened. I first met Earle years ago when was researching the life of Jean Hugard. Earle contacted me and wondered if I'd be interested in some Ms. pedagogical material that had belonged to 'Roberta' [Byron]who had been a student of Hugard's, and said...
by JimAlfredson
June 27th, 2011, 11:03 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Sid Radner - A Legend Passes
Replies: 14
Views: 4917

Re: Sid Radner - A Legend Passes

Was very sorry to hear of Sid's passing, I had some great conversations with him over the years. I think Pat had it right that Sid even outdid Ed Saint in his plugging of Houdini's [and, dare I say it, his own] name. When Sid was on a roll, nothing--as the saying goes--was lost in the telling of a s...
by JimAlfredson
May 12th, 2011, 1:57 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Max Hapner passes...
Replies: 2
Views: 1198

Re: Max Hapner passes...

What a sad thing to hear about the passing of Max Hapner. Though we've no longer seen each other as often as we did in the past, our occasional meetings were always a great pleasure. A man of great enthusiasm, and a contributor to magic..
by JimAlfredson
November 4th, 2010, 8:34 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Charles Reynolds
Replies: 24
Views: 6203

Re: Charles Reynolds

There are certainly those who knew Charles Reynolds better than I, but few left, I suspect, that knew him longer. As young guys, Charles would wend his way north from Toledo to Colon for the Abbott affairs, as I would wend my way south from Lansing. We go back a long way. In those days, he was getti...
by JimAlfredson
March 21st, 2010, 1:38 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Sid Fleischman Passes
Replies: 11
Views: 3572

Re: Sid Fleischman Passes

What a shame; it's tough to realize that I'll chat with Sid no more. I missed seeing him at the last LA conference, as he had a conflicting commitment. Sid was a class guy, and a wonderful companion over lunch or just a chat on magic or any number of subjects. Those who knew him were privileged, and...
by JimAlfredson
January 21st, 2010, 5:19 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Fred Keating's Middle Name???
Replies: 2
Views: 861

Re: Fred Keating's Middle Name???

Yep! Same guy. For some time in the 20s Fred Keating called himself such. I suppose he thought it sounded 'exotic,' or somthing. I couldn't swear that 'Serrano' was his 'middle name' or one he adopted, but he did use it quite often.
by JimAlfredson
January 6th, 2010, 6:12 pm
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: BEATING A DEAD HORSE: The Life and Times of Jay Marshall
Replies: 5
Views: 3046

Re: BEATING A DEAD HORSE: The Life and Times of Jay Marshall

Now that 2010 has arrived, and had a few days to settle in, I can state--hopefully without offending other friends--that my favorite magic book for the year 2009 is, hands down, "Beating A Dead Horse," the biography of Jay Marshall by his son Sandy. I can't imagine who else could have done...
by JimAlfredson
December 2nd, 2009, 5:00 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: American Museum of Magic Names New Director
Replies: 4
Views: 1447

Re: American Museum of Magic Names New Director

Hey Richard; you know how close Bob and I were, and I just want to say I wish I were in his presence right now (as do many) just to hear his reaction! It is nice, however, to see some movement there, and wish them well. I'll be curious to see what transpires.
by JimAlfredson
December 1st, 2009, 5:55 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Sad News Jimmy Krzak...
Replies: 2
Views: 1642

Re: Sad News Jimmy Krzak...

Sorry to hear of Jimmy Krzak's passing. Enjoyed his work many times at Schulien's. Tough to see the 'old-style' Chicago bar magician's leave us. RIP Jimmy.
Jim Alfredson
by JimAlfredson
November 14th, 2009, 12:34 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Are you a member of The Magic Circle?
Replies: 134
Views: 26198

Re: Are you a member of The Magic Circle?

I've been a member for many years. Admittedly, I've visited the U.K. on a near-annual basis forover 30 years [Ready for that, Peter Lane, who chauffered me to the Circle on my initial visit!] So I know a number of members. Prior to my first visit, I knew a number via correespondence, thus I got a ve...
by JimAlfredson
November 10th, 2009, 9:10 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
Replies: 49
Views: 15381

Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History

All I can add to the positive comments on the LA Conference is Amen! Amen! Amen! And, like you Dustin, I wouldn't miss it. It was first-rate, as usual, and nobody works harder than that crew. No, mai-ling, it was not Louie's blade box, but was borrowed locally.
by JimAlfredson
October 1st, 2009, 7:36 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: MCA: Who's Next at Bat?
Replies: 70
Views: 12263

Re: MCA: Who's Next at Bat?

I think that Gord has hit a very salient point, and so has mai-ling. The late Jimmy Findlay--the only major collector I've ever known who if oferred a perfect copy of something, and a less perfect one at a lower price, would unhesitatingly take the 'less-perfect' as many bidders in his auctions foun...
by JimAlfredson
September 29th, 2009, 6:30 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: MCA: Who's Next at Bat?
Replies: 70
Views: 12263

Re: MCA: Who's Next at Bat?

How I missed-out on this thread, I know not. Except I guess the title didn't ring any bells for me. Clay Shevlin kindly phoned me about it, wondering, I am sure, why I'd not commented on it. As current Hon. President of the M.C.A., I should have been the first in line to offer my personal thanks for...
by JimAlfredson
April 20th, 2009, 5:16 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Thurston Slaps Child
Replies: 2
Views: 1216

Re: Thurston Slaps Child

Thanks, Kevin, for the tip. I knew Clare Cummings well for many years, but I'd never heard him tell of the Thurston slapping incident and was interested in reading it. Clare was a great guy and he's missed in this corner.
by JimAlfredson
April 16th, 2009, 7:45 pm
Forum: General
Topic: May Genii
Replies: 21
Views: 5105

May Genii

May issue arrived in this morning's post, and was greatly enjoyed this evening! A lot of fine stuff; dandy interviews with Michael Caine/Peter Harness/Scott Penrose, and hope to see the film. Gerald Schiller's piece on Harry Thurston brought to mind Jay Marshall's favorite H.T. story. Seems when Har...
by JimAlfredson
April 14th, 2009, 5:59 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Toole-Stott's Magic Library
Replies: 3
Views: 1359

Re: Toole-Stott's Magic Library

Hello Gene: My understanding is that, no, toole-Stott didn't have a significant magic library. An experienced bibliographer, he knew where the material was, and spent time visiting the major collections in America and the U.K. He was a nice man, very knowledgeable, and trusted by these major collect...
by JimAlfredson
March 9th, 2009, 12:12 pm
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: wanted
Replies: 0
Views: 540

wanted

I have a couple of files that I hope Forum readers might help me complete. I need: Sorcerer's Eyes Vol. 3 - No. 33/36 and Profile Nos. 13,14,15,16,17,18 and the Index. Please have a look, and let me know your price.
Cheers! -jim
by JimAlfredson
February 7th, 2009, 8:37 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Craige Snader's WRITERS
Replies: 2
Views: 1328

Re: Craige Snader's WRITERS

Dear TB: To the best of my knowledge, Craige didn't get around to publish his opus on nail writers. He was a man of enthusiasm, with a lot of irons in the fire--a long anticipated book on the late Leslie May, e.g., (Yours Aye, Leslie May). After Craige's death, his son continued to run his business ...
by JimAlfredson
September 3rd, 2008, 8:11 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: BRITS AT WAR AND MASKELYNE
Replies: 16
Views: 4668

Re: BRITS AT WAR AND MASKELYNE

Please, Richard [Hughes], recover from your shock! And to you, Richard [Kaufman], I'm pleased to note that something on Richard [Stokes]Maskelyne research will appear in GENII. I read this eons ago when if first appeared in GENII'S JOURNAL (an Australian club publication) and am fortunate in also ha...

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