Featuring 2024 Guest of Honor Robert Olson
Robert A. Olson has quietly been contributing to magic history through his efforts as a performer, creator, and collector, but perhaps his most significant contribution is as “keeper of the flame” for the first American-born professional magician of note Richard Potter. Through his efforts portraying Richard Potter (among other historic characters), Robert has introduced Potter and historic conjuring to thousands and thousands of magicians and lay people alike for well over fifty years. He is a one-of-a-kind performer balancing humor and respect that continues to elevate the art and scholarship of magic.
This November, the New England Magic Collectors Association is paying tribute to his life-long list of achievements. Please join us in honoring this unique individual by attending the Yankee Gathering 2024 with Robert Olson as our Guest of Honor.
Conjuring the Spirit World: Art, Magic, and Mediums
The human desire to connect with the departed has given rise to a fascination with the supernatural and the magical.
Explore the essential role art and objects played for mediums and magicians “communicating” with the dead during the 19th- and 20th-century Spiritualism movement in the U.S. and Europe — a time when people actively debated and wondered, “can spirits return?”
See paintings, posters, photographs, stage apparatuses, costumes, film, publications and other objects that will transport visitors to the age of Harry Houdini, Margery the Medium, Howard Thurston, and the Fox Sisters, among others. Whether you’re a believer, skeptic or somewhere in between, gain a new perspective on the timeless draw of mediums and magicians, séances and magic shows.
Two special events are planned on the intersection of magic and spiritualism. First, is a visit to the Peabody Essex Museum, the organizers of this wonderful exhibit.
Special guest Anna Thurlow, great-granddaughter of Mina “Margery” Crandon, will join us to discuss the Houdini/Margery Seances.
Venue – Sheraton Hotel – Nashua, NH
Nashua is home to over 85,000 residents making it the second largest city in New Hampshire. This vibrant community is situated along the Merrimack and Nashua Rivers and is just 45 minutes away from Boston and 60 minutes from the New Hampshire Seacoast. Whether you’re a local, a new resident or just passing through, Nashua is sure to offer something for everyone to enjoy.
Nashua was the birthplace of Jim Cellini, the former home of Wendel Gibson and former location of three magic shops: Gibson Magic, Don Paul’s Magic Shop, and Absolutely Magic (NH’s last magic shop). It is the current home of Conjuring Arts Research Center. It is just over an hour to Potter Place in Andover, NH – the final resting place of Richard Potter.
Richard Potter – America’s First Black Celebrity
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.
This was an era when few African Americans became highly successful, much less famous. As the son of a slave, Potter was fortunate to have opportunities at all. At home in Boston, he was widely recognized as black, but elsewhere in America audiences entertained themselves with romantic speculations about his “Hindu” ancestry (a perception encouraged by his act and costumes).
Author John A. Hodgson presents a compelling argument that the first American-born professional magician was much, much more than a simple performer. He will also share updates of new information unearthed since the book was published in 2018.
Gathering Highlights
SCHEDULE
The Gathering is starting earlier on Thursday this year! Registration will open at 9 AM Thursday, November 7th, and the first event starts at 3 PM. Please plan accordingly.
PANELS
Retrospective and Q & A with Guest of Honor Robert Olson
Organizing Collections with Mike Caveney, Richard Hughes, & Bruce Averbook
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Mike Rose • Dean Carnegie • Judge Brown • George Schwartz • Margaret Steele
William Kalush • Brandon Hodge • Anna Thurlow • Ice McDonald • Rory Rennick
John Hodgson • Dean Arnold • Jonathan Neil Brown • Tom Ewing • Michael Claxton
PERFORMERS
Matt Roberts (emcee) • Jonathan Neil Brown • Kevin Bethea
EXHIBITS AND MORE …
Opening Night Wine and Cheese Reception • Saturday Evening Banquet • Book Signing Event
Dealers Room with choice collectibles • A lively Magic Auction
The Yankee Magic Collector Authors Recognition
PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
