The Nemca/Yankee Gathering Registration is Now OPEN!

The registration is now open for the New England Magic Collectors Association Conference, known as The Yankee Gathering. I attended this event two years ago and had so much fun! This is for the magic history folk, and it's filled with great lectures, lots of exhibits, wonderful people, and even stage shows at night. There is a rumor that yours truly will even be performing this year! If you'd like to register, please go to: http://nemca.com/wp/yg-xvii-registration/

This year's Guest of Honor will be Mike Caveney. For three days, the Yankee Gathering offers a full slate of informative and entertaining presentations from world-class experts in magic history and the collecting of magic apparatus, books, and memorabilia. Space is limited to 200 attendees, so make sure you register early!

Carnegie: Magic Detective: Who Was Houdini's Boyhood Hero?

I'm relisting one of my older articles. Today is the day that President Abraham Lincoln was shot at Ford's Theatre in 1865. I had written a couple pieces about Lincoln and Houdini and Lincoln and magic in general a few years ago. I wanted to offer them up to my readers again in a slightly updated form. I had to correct a piece of info that I had gotten wrong. I hope you enjoy this bit of Lincoln and Houdini history. Please click the link below to view that story...


Carnegie: Magic Detective: Who Was Houdini's Boyhood Hero?: The first thought that comes to mind was Robert Houdin the french magician who Houdini acquired his name from. But actually if that was y...

About Houdini's Character On His Other Birthday

Today is April 6th, the day that Houdini celebrated his birthday. We know now, that he was actually born on March 24, 1874, but Houdini celebrated a few days later.  I have an article to share with you, that really has nothing to do with his birthday. But rather, it has to do with someone who knew him, describing his character. I've heard and read many stories about his character, often the stories are somewhat disparaging. But those negative comments often come from competitors. This piece below, is from someone who worked with Houdini. It originally appeared in Billboard Magazine, Nov 20th, 1926. Enjoy...

Sure, the article isn't quite politically correct by today's standards. But I'm not one of those that judges people from the past by the standards of today. I tend to think that those who do, will find themselves eventually judged quite harshly by history. What we find here is someone describing a kind, very considerate, and thoughtful Houdini. This is much the same as Dorothy Young described him. With that I'll say Happy Birthday Harry, again!