News

Yankee Magic Collector No. 18 : Call for Submissions

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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Theo Hardeen Biography Released

William Rauscher’s biography of Hardeen: Monarch of Manacles is now available. This 150 page, hardbound book is available for order from David Haversat’s 1878 Press Co.
 
This book is a tribute to one of the world’s greatest escape artists. He traveled the world defying police authorities to shackle his body in handcuffs and leg irons, or to lock him in the darkest jail cells, all of which could not hold him.

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The Art of Magic Postage Stamps Announced

The US Postal Service has announced that The Art of Magic postage series will be released in 2018.  The series of five stamps celebrate the art of magic featuring digital illustrations of five classic tricks magicians use to amaze and delight audiences.

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Meetings

NEMCA Spring Meeting March 29 2020

Sunday, March 29th,  1-4 PM

The Magic Barn, Ashland, MA.  See below for directions.

Chris Wasshuber, publisher of new and out of print books in e-book format and videos on the subjects of magic and mentalism at Lybrary.com, will present his lecture “The Hunt for Erdnase” based on his research into the identity of S.W. Erdnase the author of “The Expert at the Card Table” the 1902 classic on card cheating and card magic.  Chris will offer copies of his book “The Hunt for Erdnase – and the path to Gallaway” for purchase.

Chris founded his company Lybrary.com 21 years ago in Cambridge MA and has previously been a dealer at the Yankee Gathering. He is an entertaining and knowledgeable speaker. Please join us for this special event.

Prior to the lecture, the club will hold a brief business meeting to discuss Yankee Gathering preparations.   The meeting will finish with a Member Show and Tell — please bring an old or new item to share with the club. 

Light refreshments will be provided.

 

NEMCA thanks Peter Lentros for his generosity in making the Magic Barn available for NEMCA meetings.

Meetings

NEMCA Fall Meeting: Trav S. D. on Magic’s Place In Vaudeville

Date: Sunday, October 13th, 2019. 1- 4 PM
Location: The Magic Barn, Ashland, MA.  See below for directions

Writer/performer Trav S.D. is best known as the author of the book No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous and the blog Travalanche (travsd.wordpress.com), where he has written profiles of thousands of vintage show biz performers, including 150 magicians and other illusionists, such as second sight acts and quick change artists. He has written for the New York Times, American Theatre, the Village Voice, Reason, and Time Out NY. He has also spoken at organizations such as the Museum of Modern Art, The New York Public Library, Columbia University, New York and the Chautauqua Institute. He produced and directed the first ever revival of the Marx Brothers first Broadway show “I’ll Say She Is” in 2014.  

Trav will be joining us to give a talk specifically tailored for our club.  His talk: “Magic’s Place in Vaudeville” will present a look at magicians and other illusionists in American vaudeville, with a perspective on how they fit into the big picture within that long-departed branch of show business, artistically, professionally, technically, and even socially. 

Be sure not to miss this meeting!

The meeting starts at the Barn at 1 pm.  See www.nemca.com Meetings for detailed directions. Join us before the meeting for brunch at 11 at Stones Public House, 179 Main Street, Ashland., MA. (parking lot in rear of restaurant next to the lot for the Magic Barn)

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