Knowing Where We've Been

One of the most important things any serious student of magic can do is study the history of the art. Like the old saying goes, you have to know where you've been in order to know where you're going.

With that in mind, FUN has always maintained a healthy number of books on magic history. We've gotten a few of them in recently, so I thought it might be good to highlight them.

Around the World with a Magician and a Juggler by H.J. Burlingame: this seminal text by H.J. Burlingame includes biographies of two important magicians, Baron Hartwig Seeman and William D’Alvini (who toured with Alexander Herrmann, as well as his own show). Information on Ernest Patrizio and Bellachini (including Bellachini’s presentation and method for the Eggs from Mouth effect, which he is said to have originated) rounds out the volume. Also included is Max Dessoir’s essay on the “Psychology of the Art of Conjuring,” making this book a delight for students of the art as well as collectors.

Hugard's Annuals, 1937-1939: This is really a wonderful book with some clever and forgotten secrets of magic. Jean Hugard, co-author of Royal Road to Card Magic, published his magazine, The Magic Annual, from 1937-1939. Now the entire run is available to own in hardcover!

Edd Patterson: A Lifetime of Magic and Art: This book describes the story of Edd Patterson, The Magic Artist. During his career his programs were endorsed by literally thousands of school administrators and parent teacher groups in the eastern United States. Now retired, this book brings Edd Patterson alive to a new generation. Apart from his life story, there are included some 33 time-tested routines for children's shows along with ieas and thoughts from his life as a master school show performer. Included is a bonus DVD with footage of Edd Patterson on stage.

Our Magic History

As I was perusing some of the magic discussions, I hit upon a thread talking about Harry Blackstone Jr. and his famous Floating Lightbulb. Having been born a little too late to sese Harry perform live, I managed to seek out a video. In Harry's hands it is absolutely beautiful - but it got me thinking about the "old-timers" we youngsters have heard about but haven't seen: names like Keller, Dante, and Herrmann.

Fortunately, we live in an age where the printed word is easy to come by. FUN Inc. carries a large line of books, many focusing on our mystical origins and the magicians who shaped our art. Here are just a few of my personal recommendations:

Blackstone: A Magician's Life. Harry Blackstone had one of the great magic shows of the 20th century. Born in Chicago in 1885, he worked steadily to build his show into the fabulous magic extravaganza that traveled the length and breadth of the North American continent. We also carry the Blackstone Book of Magic & Illusion, penned by Harry Blackstone Jr., a legendary conjuror in his own right.

Dai Vernon: A Biography: Dai Vernon turned the clandestine world of conjuring on its ear with virtuoso sleight-of-hand and a dogged pursuit for perfection. Miracles flowed from his fingertips - effortlessly. The source of his secrets? The underworld and the gamblers, hustlers and con-men that roamed back-room dens of iniquity, bunked in jail cells and walked the streets of America.

The Glorious Deception: In a biography woven from equal parts enchantment and mystery, Jim Steinmeyer unveils the secrets behind the most enigmatic performer in the history of stage magic, Chung Ling Soo, the "Marvelous Chinese Conjurer," a magician whose daring made his contemporary Houdini seem like the boy next door. Soo's infamous and suspicious onstage death in 1918 mystified his fellow magicians; he was shot while performing the famous Bullet Catch.

Hiding the Elephant: Now in paperback comes Jim Steinmeyer's astonishing chronicle of half a century of illusionary innovation, backstage chicanery, and keen competition within the world of magicians. Lauded by today's finest magicians and critics, Hiding the Elephant is a cultural history of the efforts among legendary conjurers to make things materialize, levitate, and disappear.

Icons of FUN Inc. - continued!

Perhaps our most pervasive icon at FUN, this impish character was created to personify all the jokes, pranks, and gags that FUN originally produced. Hocus J. Pocus, affectionately known as Hokey, has been the face of FUN almost since the company's inception.

FUN founder Jules Traub commissioned the character, based off a roly-poly character used by Traub's Party Products company that produced puzzles and games. Thinning the character down, Hocus J. Pocus was born to be the embodiment of FUN encompassing the magic, jokes, and pranks the company produced.

In the post-war period, rackable items and self-service began to take shape in stores across America. Hokey was instrumental in becoming the icon for the company, and really helped to boost the visibility of the company.

Always displaying versatility, Hokey often came dressed for the occasion. He would wear a turban when solving a puzzle, a top hat for performing magic, devil horns when pulling pranks, and of course, fangs for Halloween or a Santa Hat for Christmas. My personal favorite is when Hokey is ready to do business.

Today, Hocus J. Pocus and Chandu combine to make the most recognizable team in the industry. Look for them in a magic shop near you! Have a great weekend; we'll be back on Monday.

Icons of FUN Inc.

This will be the first of a two-part series on the icons of FUN Inc. Those familiar with the Royal Magic line of products (which includes classics like the Ball Vase, Rice Bowls, and the Tel-a-Vision Box), will notice today's guest on each of their labels: Chandu the Magician.

Chandu was a creation of Morris Fox's Royal Magic Company, based in Brooklyn, NY in the 1930s. Later, Jules Traub, founder of FUN Inc. acquired Fox's company and added the magic line to his growing gags/novelty company.

These days, Chandu can be seen gracing the labels of various Royal Magic products. When not posing for pictures, he spends his free time reading minds, levitating objects, and enjoying life as only a disembodied head can.

A friend of mine once joked "If I got a tattoo of Chandu, could I get free magic from you for life?" No, but that would be really cool.

Stay with us tomorrow as noted author, publisher, and collector Gabe Fajuri of FUN Inc.'s product development team will post tomorrow. Gabe is a fountain of knowledge in all things magical, and I'm sure he'll have some excellent insights for us.