Author Archive: Dan Smith
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is sponsoring a special exhibit on The Phantasmagoria now through June 24th.
Phantasmagoria was a form of horror theater that (among other techniques) used one or more optical devices known as magic lanterns to project frightening images such as skeletons, demons, and ghosts onto walls, smoke, or semi-transparent screens. The shows started under the guise of actual séances in Germany in the late 18th century, and gained popularity through most of Europe (including Britain) throughout the 19th century. Learn more about Phantasmagoria at the MFA.
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John Hodgson was interviewed on NPR’s WAMU radio station on his new book, Richard Potter: America’s First Black Celebrity. The interview is available for free from WAMU and includes excerpts from the Potter book.
Mr. Hodgson will present on his book in Keene (4/23), Concord(5/5), and Hopinton, NH (6/24). More details..
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The meeting at the Magic Barn on March 24 was a great success. Thanks to Vincent Golden, curator of newspapers at the American Antiquarian Society, for his lecture on the less obvious magic items among their holdings. The attending members are pictured below at The Magic Barn in Ashland, MA.
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John Hodgson, author of the newly published book, Richard Potter, America’s First Black Celebrity, will perform a first presentation and book signing on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at the Temple Israel Social Hall in Portsmouth NH.
As a special feature of the book signing, Robert Olson will perform the magic of Richard Potter.
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Apart from a handful of exotic–and almost completely unreliable–tales surrounding his life, Richard Potter is almost unknown today. Two hundred years ago, however, he was the most popular entertainer in America–the first showman, in fact, to win truly nationwide fame. Working as a magician and ventriloquist, he personified for an entire generation what a popular performer was and made an invaluable contribution to establishing popular entertainment as a major part of American life. His story is all the more remarkable in that Richard Potter was also a black man.
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The newly released book, Richard Potter, America’s First Black Celebrity, will certainly spark new interest in the first American-born magician and ventriloquist. Details about Potter’s life and performance are scarce but tantalizing. NEMCA member and Yankee Magic Editor Editor, Andrew Pinard, has assembled details on Potter’s life and career, as well as pictures of the Potter’s final resting place.
Read more on Absolutely Magic.
For many years, Ray Goulet provided a complimentary DVD about his New England Mini-Museum of Magic. Ray and Ann have now shared this video tour with visitors to the NEMCA site. Ray shows rare items from his collection, demonstrates the Card Spider, and discusses how he started collecting.
Enjoy visiting with Ray Goulet at the New England Mini-Museum of Magic.
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We have been blessed over the last thirty-four years to feature some of the finest writers in magic presenting original scholarship of interest to all magic historians. We look forward to continuing our relationship with such magical scholars and it is our hope to either welcome you back, or add your name, to the list of contributors of The Yankee Magic Collector #18.
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Gary Hunt recently started a fascinating site dedicated to Handcuff Queens: woman escape artists who operated during the Houdini era. Who knew?
Learn about the Pauline and Lewis, early pioneers of the escape act, and Marie Shannon’s original publicity stunts performed as “Lady Raffles”. As Gary says, “Hopefully this blog will provide these performers with some of the recognition they deserve.”
Visit Handcuff Queens
The Board of Governors proudly announces the New England Magic Collectors Association’s 2017 Founders Award has been presented to the American Museum of Magic of Marshall, Michigan.
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