Joseph Schmidt

[magicfish]

Gents,
Hartman's Card Dupery is dedicated to the illustrator- Joseph K. Shmidt. I wonder, was this the last book he illustrated before passing?

[Richard Kaufman]

I imagine so. Joe might have even died before the book was published.

[MagicbyAlfred]

It appears Richard is right. Joseph K. Schmidt passed into the great magical beyond on January 10, 2007.
https://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/vie ... pic=300874

Card Dupery was published in September 2007
https://www.google.com/search?client=sa ... 8&oe=UTF-8

And it's certainly a fair assumption that the dedication was commemorative.

[Richard Kaufman]

Joe illustrated all of Jerry Hartman's hardcover books, starting with the first one, Card Craft, followed by two more I published and then others all the way to the end.

[MagicbyAlfred]

As Joseph was obviously no longer available (outside, perhaps, of a seance), Tony Dunn did a fine job as illustrator of Hartman's swan song, Card Dodgery, which I am happy to own. The "I Think ICAAN" routine from the book is super clever and subtle, and fun to do. I would be remiss, though, if I did not put in a plug here for Richard (although he doesn't need it) as a premiere illustrator (in addition to author, editor, publisher, magician and teacher!) Now, about that discount on next year's Genii subscription...

[Richard Kaufman]

I have not picked up a pen since 1994 and don't miss it one bit.

[Steve Mills]

I have not picked up a pen since 1994 and don't miss it one bit.

I've heard you talk about the ongoing back pain. Sounds ugly. Those of us that "grew up" on Kaufman illustrated books certainly think you will never be equalled. Something great went away the day you laid down the pen for the last time.

[Richard Kaufman]

Thanks, but back pain didn't start until 1998. I just got sick of sitting in the dark and drawing.
I don't hold the high opinion of my drawings that others seem to. To me they are, at best, just functional.

[MagicbyAlfred]

I have not picked up a pen since 1994 and don't miss it one bit.

I don't know if it's irony or coincidence (or maybe neither), but I picked one up just this morning. Just for my own enjoyment though - there's not much demand for stick figures doing the pass, DL's, palming cards, etc.

[Steve Hook]

Thanks, but back pain didn't start until 1998. I just got sick of sitting in the dark and drawing.
I don't hold the high opinion of my drawings that others seem to. To me they are, at best, just functional.

Richard: I must disagree.

[Mark Tams]

Richard Kaufman wrote:
Thanks, but back pain didn't start until 1998. I just got sick of sitting in the dark and drawing.
I don't hold the high opinion of my drawings that others seem to. To me they are, at best, just functional.


Steve: I must disagree.

I agree with Steve that he disagrees!

[magicfish]

I love magic illustrations.
I understand Schmidt worked free hand from text only. Very cool.
I like Earle Oakes.
I like Kaufman's lines of motion but I also like his depictions of the practitioners- their hands, arms, heads, etc. Very cool.
I'll take an illustration over a video any day.