Pages from m u m vol 2 39088

MAGI G

UNITY

MI GHT

NEW YORK, OCTOBER, 1912

Nos. 11, 12, Vol. One

No. 1, Vol. 2

The Society of American Magicians (INGORPORATKD)

HEADQUARTERS, MAGICAL PALACE, 493 SIXTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY

Š

New York, October, 1912.

ILLUSTRIOUS GOMPEERS: The next regular meeting will be held on Saturday Evening, November 2, 1912, at the Magical Palace, 493 Sixth Avenue, at 7.30 P. M. Sharp.

MEMBERS ELECTED AT LAST MEETING: 428^ Thomas Martino, 80 Montgomery Ave. Corona, L. L, N. Y. 429. Royal Lee Vilas, Ishpeming, Mich.

APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP: Recommended by John A. Dittmar, 505 Howard St., San Antonio, Texas.

Henry Hatton Clyde W. Frank J. Pavlik, 4336 Broadway, Cleveland, Ohio.

A. M* Wilson Harry 5, Thompson Frederick E. Powell, American Club, Mexico, D. F. Henry Hatton Frank Ducrot Robert Spice, Cooper Union, New York.

Henry Hatton Frank Ducrot o

There will be a Social after the business meeting on the night of November 2nd, next.

TEALE will have charge of the entertainment, so there is every reason to expect something unusually good. Invite some friend who would be eligible for membership. AND DON'T FORGET THE LADIES. Fraternally yours in M. U. M. Attest:

R. I. SECRETARY M. I. PRESIDENT

SOGIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS its existence, but he would none of it. By his splendid collection of books on Magic and kindred Arts, in many languages, now resting in the Public Library, New York, and his unique assembling of wands (about sixty), once owned by distinguished magicians, he has {Presented by Past Pres. Chas. Roltare.') made his name known over all the world of Magic Any member who for any cause becomes a non- here, in Europe, Africa and Australia. Besides his member of tbis Society and is again accepted as a member, books and wands he has constructed models of the best stage illusions; these speak loudly for his insball receive and hold his Former Roster Number. genuity and his intimate acquaintance with the secrets of Magical Art. The Doctor was born in Canada in 1852, and was {By Past Pres. Werner and nine members.) graduated from McGill University, Montreal, in 1873.

Three years later he came to New York. In 1883 he That the title as used to Members and Officers of this became connected with Masonry and eventually reSociety be again known as before the change made in the ceived the thirty-third degree cf that Order. For Constitution and By-Laws: July last, as follows Most,— more than twenty years he has been Recorder of MecRight, — Very, Illustrious Magician and Illustrious ca Temple, Mystic Shrine, and for the last six years has been Medical Expert and Examiner in the CorMagicians. poration Counsel's office, New York City.

Amendment to the By-Laws.

"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested," says Francis Bacon.

It is to the last class that "Exclusive Magical Secrets," by Will Goldston, belongs. The book has been so long coming that many began to fear it would never appear. But it is out now and was well worth waiting for. The compiler claims that he has been more than six years collecting, editing and arranging the contents, which includes valuable secrets that represent years of labor on the part of famous performers and have been intrusted to him by the originators for use in this book. We have no reason to doubt it.

Goldston has spared neither time nor expense to make an unique book, and he has succeeded admirably.

Magicians, professional and amateur, will find in it matter of interest and importance. It will help every reader not only in his particular line, but will help him to launch out into other departments, so that instead of continuing in one groove he will become what every conjurer should aspire to be, an all-round performer Pocket tricks and tricks for the drawing room and the stage, Chinese tricks, comedy tricks and illusions, all find a place, to say nothing of "Tips" that in themselves are worth the price of the book. There is one page that struck the writer of this notice most forcibly, SARAM R. ELLISON, M. D and that is a full-page illustration of the tools used by TREASURER OF THE SOCIETY OK AMERICAN MAGICIANS. that Master-Magician Buatier De Kolta, in preparing The portrait here presented is that of the man his illusions. The fact that he could make his illusions whose name stands Number One on the roster of the (he always made his own apparatus), with such simple SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS, Dr. Saram R. Elli- and crude tools is almost more wonderful than the son. To him, probably more than to any one else, the illusions themselves, marvelous as they are.

The book is dedicated to Houdini, who contribSociety owes its existence. Whether or not he suggested that the Society should be started is a question uted an entire chapter. There are other contributions we shall not discuss, but he was certainly the first to from Prof. Hoffmann, Servais Le Roy, Chefalo, call together a number of men interested in Magic, Chung Ling Soo, Chris Van Bern, and from some with a view to starting a Society, he it was who gave anonymous writers, illusions galore, and a complete the Society its name, and he secured at least two-thirds explanation, with twenty-five illustrations of De Kolta's of its original members. No one has its interests more "Expanding Cube," so long a secret. The edition of to heart, and he is an earnest, indefatigable worker the book is limited and we would advise those who for its advancement. He might have been President have not already purchased it to delay no longer, but of the Society at any time in the twelve years of order it at once.

SOGIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS

OFFICIAL

ISSUED TO

MONTHLY

MEMBERS

BULLETIN

ONLY

EDITED BY THE PRESIDENT Send contributions to :

HENRY HATTON

R. V A N D I E N

PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

53 FREMONT STREET BLOOMFIELD, N. J.

93 CENTRE STREET EAST NTJTLEY, N. J.

There were no meetings of the S. A. M. in August and September, and consequently no M-U-M. We shall try to make up for this lapse by making future numbers more interesting. Help us, brother. Send in your items.

Mr. John A. Dittmar, of San Antonio, Texas, one of the best informed men on matters magical and a skilful mechanician, was on a visit to New York in September, and falling into the clutches of an active member of the S. A. M., was induced to come into the charmed circle of the S. A. M. We spent a pleasant evening with Theo. Bamberg recently, and had an opportunity of witnessing a few of his recent inventions. Theo. is not only a wonderfully clever sleight-of-hand performer, but he has a fertile brain and is an accomplished mechanician.

He has not only originated some marvelous mechanical tricks, but he makes the apparatus. And as for finish, his work has the nicety of a watch.

This Society is indebted to the Magic Circle Club.

London, England, for the gift of five handsomely bound volumes, and the monthly issues to date of The Magic Circular, their official organ.

We hope with our English society that the gift may "help to weld our societies together in their great objects of promoting the better interests of Magic and Magicians."

We learn that Illustrious Compeer Ed. Collins has gone back to his old love, The Curtis Publishing Co., of Philadelphia. We wonder how many of the memWe welcome back to the ranks of the S. A. M. our bers of the S. A. M. know that besides his other many friend Powell. The Society is proud of him, for as and varied accomplishments Brother Collins is a noted a performer he has no superior. He is to be admired bassoon player ? Well, he is; in fact, he is admitted as a magician, and a man. Just at present he is play- to be the best amateur bassoonist (is that the name?) ing in Mexico, and, we are pleased to say, is drawing in the City of Brotherly Love. large and delighted audiences. Continued success to him! He was several months in the City of Mexico, Ill: Ottokar Fischer, of Vienna, reported in a letand while there he gave a private entertainment to the ter to our M. Ill: President Hatton the death of AnPresident. At last accounts he was in Puebla and on Sunday, September 22, he played before an audience tonio Molini.

Herr Molini died in Trieste, Austria, August 12th, of 4,000 people. aged 56 years. He was known as a very high-class and able amateur magician, and was the inventor of A new member in the S. A. M. is Robert Spice. several attractive and interesting illusions, "Le Souper If you want to know about him ask Edison or some du Diable," or "The Organ Pipes," being his masterother prominent scientific man. Outside of his em- piece, added largely to his reputation and prominence. inence in the scientific world, Spice is an excellent — © conjurer. He it is who originated the "Kling-a-linga-ling" trick with the egg and handkerchief and preTHE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS. sented it to Colonel Stodare the man who originally The 119th regular meeting was held at The Magintroduced T H E SPHINX. Prof. Spice, who is now lecturing on chemistry was, at one time, connected with ical Palace, 493 Sixth Avenue, New York City, on the Polytechnic Institute, London, where he was en- Saturday evening, October 5th, 1912, and will be gaged in preparing experiments for Prof. John Henry known as a banner night for the attendance and the distance, some of the members residing far from our Pepper, the introducer of "The Ghost Illusion."

"Home of Magic."

The Most 111: President Henry Hatton called the Illustrious Compeer Frank Ducrot is on a pleasure brothers to order at 8:30 P. M. and proceeded to open trip in Europe. He writes us he is having a fine time in ceremonial form.

The new officers had an encouraging beginning and has been royally received by the conjurers on "the other side." Illustrious Compeers David Devant and from the many Past Presidents who were in attendWill Goldston gave him a warm welcome. We are ance from the very start, only one Past President besorry to record that at latest advices, he was laid up ing absent, and he is very busy in his profession, Dr. with an attack of his old enemy—rheumatism, and W. Golden Mortimer, our first President.

Among those present were Dr. Homburger, Dr. has gone to Wiesbaden, in hope of finding a cure. He Ellison, R. Van Dien, F. J. and A. Martinka, C. W. expects, however, to be home by November 15.

SOGIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS Powers, Hal Merton, Laurens, Hagen, Jarrell, Harry J. Kline, Parsell, Dibble, Gavett, Irving, Weirk, Tally, Kirsch, Domitz, Burrows, and the following Past Presidents in the order of their seniority, Sargent, Werner, Teale, W. A. Ransom, E. P. Ransom, and Roltare, and Orestes A. B. Senter, from Columbus, Ohio; Dittmar from Texas.

The Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Propositions for membership were read by the Secretary from the following: John A. Dittmar, of San Antonio, Texas, and endorsed by Henry Hatton and Clyde W. Powers.

Frank J. Pavlik, of Cleveland, Ohio, endorsed by Dr. A. M. Wilson and Harry S. Thompson.

Frederick E. Powell, of Mexico City, Mexico, endorsed by Henry Hatton and Frank Ducrot.

Robert Spice, of New York City, endorsed by Henry Hatton and Frank Ducrot.

Our laws requiring names to be published on a notice of the meeting, these names will be acted on at the next session.

The Committee on Admissions having reported as worthy, the following named petitioners were duly elected: 428—Thomas Martino, of Corona, Long Island, N. Y. 429—Royal Lee Vilas, of Ishpeming, Mich.

A short recess was declared, and Mr. Dittmar, of San Antonio, Texas, was ushered in and presented to the members, this was done to offset the disappointment he so keenly felt at our inability to elect him before he returned to the Lone Star State.

A large correspondence was read by the Illustrious Secretary Van Dien, from which we could glean the doings in the field of Magic. Zellano reports that he has a new field as manager, and, judging from his past performances, it will be the field and not his success that is new. The Magic Circle Club, of London, England, presented through their Secretary five handsomely bound volumes of their files of papers and some of those that follow since the binding, and a letter which proves the fraternal feeling existing between our societies. A hearty vote of thanks and applause followed.

The Chairmen of the various committees made their reports. Some were discharged with thanks, while others reported progress. The return of Jack Norworth from Europe, where he went in quest of health, was reported, and that the Zancigs royally entertained Frank Ducrot. The Zancigs are as popular as ever and doing good business in England. Harry Houdini has been re-engaged at the Zirkas Busch in Berlin for a long run, and from all reports is amazing crowded houses. Nixon calls our attention to the good work done for the cause of magicians by Mr. Silverman, the owner of Variety. While we appreciate the good work of "Sime," we regret we can not all grasp his hand in acknowledgment of our gratitude. May he live long and prosper in his chosen field.

Roltare recalled the offer of Thurston at the banquet, and from the looks of things there may be some results. An amendment to the By-Laws was handed in by Werner to the effect that the titles of officers

should maintain as before the change was made at the July session.

Hal Merton moved that F. E. Powell be given his original number on his readmittance to the Society.

This was carried.

The Most 111: President requested Sargent to perform the pleasant duty of presenting ihe Jewel of a Past President to the outgoing President. Roltare was escorted to the table, and in a few well chosen words by Sargent, Charles Roltare accepted the beautiful Jewel, and after passing it around for inspection invested himself with it and had good reason to feel proud.

Roltare presented the following amendment to the By-Laws: "Any member, who for any cause, becomes a non-member of this Society, and is again accepted as a member, shall receive and hold his former number."

On the trip made by Roltare through the West he reports that Magic is doing good, as many first-class acts are booked, and that he met Mine. Herrmann and saw her act, which he styles as "grand."

Illustrious Orestes A. B. Senter, of Columbus, Ohio, given the privilege of the floor, interested all with his little talk on Magic and Magicians. He has been a lover of the art for the past sixty years and resided in the town that was selected as the birthplace of Howard Thurston by The Mighty Magician, and has known such men as Antonio Blitz, Anderson, the Wizard of the North, and Compars, Alexander and Leon Herrmann; of the last three he particularly mentioned the grace of Compars Herrmann. Houdini is counted among his friends, from whom he showed a postal telling of his bookings in Germany. Kellar and many others came in for their share of praise.

In concluding his explanation why Magicians do not receive a loud applause, but instead many words of praise as to their wonderful and fascinating entertainment for many days after the show he brought many remarks from those present. "That the Magician has his audience spellbound," a condition that none other than a great artist, say, in the musical line, can claim.

Francis J. Straub made a decided hit on his return from Belgium on board the Red Star Line, and Frank Ducrot, on August 19th, 1912, was declared a wonder in his act on board the steamship Campania. In both cases their services were for the benefit of the Seamen's Charities.

Most 111: Henry Hatton has designated Saturday evening, November 2d, as a Social, or Ladies' Night, and appointed O. S. Teale to prepare the entertainment for our friends, the ladies.

Bills were read and approved and ordered paid, if found correct, Domitz, Kline and Jarrell acting as the Auditing Committee.

The meeting closed in harmony at 10:55 o'clock, and after wishing each other well after the long vacation, went H-O-M-E. FRANCIS J. WERNER. OFFICIAL CORKFSPONDENT.

The continuation of Illustrious Compeer Laurens's translation, "The Origin of Magic," is unavoidably postponed.