David Copperfield, What's Next?

 

A few weeks ago David Copperfield, the richest magician ever, the most popular illusionist of this generation announced he would be closing the show at the MGM Grand. Before doing that he would be doing quite a few shows before the run ended. 

I heard, via a facebook post, he's actually added a new routine to his show. Can you imagine that? At this late date, he's adding new material?  

Back in 2024 he announced he was going to make the Moon disappear. That has yet to happen. However, giving the recent launch of Artemis II and the 2028 proposed Moon Landing, his Moon Illusion may go from being a clever notion, to the smartest and most topical trick ever conceived. I have it on good word that when visitors come back stage to see him, he does a miniature version of the moon vanish.

Online the comments have been mixed. With many telling him to just go away and others congratulating him on a great career. I have no time or patience for the losers who have convicted him in the court of public opinion. I have no time for 'cancelers', the stupidest concept to come about in 50 years. Anyone who thinks David is retiring, is wrong.  I personally think the Moon is just the next step and what comes next is unknown. But rest assured David and his team are working and planning. His history doesn't show a guy who slows down. Even at his age, I dont see it.

Here is what I would like to see. Back during the pantdemic there was a Zoom presentation of David showing off his museum. He was in the recreated shop of Tannens Magic Shop and he was talking about his history with the shop and even demonstrated a trick. You could see the sheer joy on his face and in his voice over what he was sharing. Thats the David Id like to see, doing what he loves!!! Im sure as time goes on there will be more emphasis on the museum, but I know David is far from done performing! Why not revamp some of the best material. There is a TON of that stuff. Big and small. Barkley House, The BLADE, The Dancing Hank, The Portal, Alcatraz-Walking Thru the Jail Door, That crazy Vanishing Lady illusion in that twisted box where you erase parts and she vanishes slowly, That very cool production under the hanging sheet, or the vertical standing asrah illusion. So much to choose from. No motor cycles, no mentalism, just good David Copperfield MAGIC!!!

Houdini Book Covering his Challenge Advertisements

 

A Strenuous Career: The Personal Challenge and Advertisement Scrapbook of Harry Houdini

Bruce J. Averbook, MD, FACS, AIMC & David E. Haversat

For the first time in history, A Strenuous Career: The Personal Challenge and Advertisement Scrapbook of Harry Houdini places in your hands a breathtaking, full-color facsimile of one of the most significant artifacts from the life of the world’s greatest escape artist. This is amongst the largest and most important scrapbooks personally complied by Harry Houdini! Every page is reproduced directly from Houdini’s own working scrapbook—exactly as he assembled it—preserving the energy, ambition, and relentless drive that defined the man.

Across these pages, you will witness the challenges Houdini accepted from around the globe… the advertisements that lured crowds into theaters and public squares. The carefully preserved ephemera that reveal how Houdini crafted his legend in real time. This is not history filtered through interpretation—it is history as Houdini lived it!

• Feel the tension as authorities bind him in handcuffs and leg irons or lock him in the darkest jail cells.

• Sense the danger as he is sealed into wooden crates or water-filled containers and submerged sinking to the bottom of murky rivers.

• Live the experience of being bound in straitjackets and padded suits for the murderously insane that could not hold him.

• Experience the pulse of a career built on risk, spectacle, and absolute mastery.

And now, for the first time, it can be yours!

Meticulously reproduced from the original scrapbook—courtesy of Dr. Bruce J. Averbook’s extraordinary historic archive in The Averbook Magic Art Museum and Library—this volume features over 160 premium, large-format color pages, presented in a luxurious 9" x 12" hardbound edition with an elegant slipcase. Every detail has been preserved to immerse you fully in Houdini’s world.

Limited to only 300 copies!

This is not simply a book—it is a rare artifact, a conversation piece, a centerpiece for any serious collector of magic or history enthusiast.

Debuting May 12–14 at the 2026 Magic Collector Expo in Newark, New Jersey, with limited availability online shortly after at: www.1878press.com See also: www.AverbookMuseum.com

Carnegie ON The Magic Word Podcast with Scott Wells

 

Looks like yours truly is on an episode of the long running The Magic World Podcast by Scott Wells. Yes, I can do another podcast but I cant get my own done, lol. Scott was very gracious to ask me to appear on his podcast. Turns out we both have a similar origin story when it comes to podcasting. We were both inspired by an earlier podcast called TheMagicNewswire by Dodd Vickers. 

Scott and I talk magic, magic history, HOUDINI, painting and....oh and speaking of paintings. Can you believe that I give the INCORRECT address to my store to buy prints. Uggh. The correct place is carnegie-magic.myshopify.com.  I left off the MY part when I gave the address on the podcast. Such an amateur, lol. Hey, Im new to selling my artwork. NOT new to the magic business and I got all of those site names correct, lol. 

Here is where you can WATCH THE podcast online if you like. I will also post the address where you can just listen. And of course, if you aren't already a listener of The Magic Word Podcast, you should be. Scott has produced and hosted close to 1000 episodes. That is mind boggling to me! He does such a fine job and his is a great podcast with interviews of modern day magicians and folks working in the magic world. 

You can also visit Scott's webpage for the podcast:  https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/959-dean-carnegie