T11 INSIDER #12 :: GENETIC TWITCH

HOUDINI VS THURSTON VIA WIRED

By now we are all familiar with Jim Steinmeyer's latest book " The Last Greatest Magician in the World," either through my interview with him or the many articles about the book which have appeared online. Today, thanks to Magic Newswire graphic contributor Kris Sheppard, we can share this article from Wired Magazine which takes a look at how Thurston Stacked up agains Houdini. And the Winner is.... no surprise to Jim, Thuston! Have a peek for yourself.

MNW #307 :: MAGICIANS IN JAPAN

We've all been hearing about the catastrophe in Japan in the news, but on this episode of the Magic Newswire's Magic Newscast it gets a bit more personal. Aaron Jones is a Canadian magician living in Japan who offers a personal perspective on the disaster and how it is impacting the magic community in Japan. In addition, James L. Clark joins us before heading off to Japan to assist in search and rescue efforts there. Find out more about Aaron by visiting AaronJones.com. To support James in his efforts, visit BootsOnTheGround.org MAGICIANS IN JAPAN:


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T11 INSIDER #11 :: MAGIC-C0N

MNW #306 :: BANACHEK, HOUCHIN & MITCHELL

Craig Mitchell, Banachek, Wayne Houchin, Cameron Ramsay and I get together to talk about the first ever "International Magic Experience." With over 20+ of magic’s finest stars descending on Las Vegas from the 23rd – 25 May – IMX 2011 is one event that you cannot afford to miss! In addition, Magic Newswire fans will have a chance to get together where we'll they can hang out with some of the biggest names in magic and win prizes like the complete Banachek DVD PSI series, 10 DVDs from Danny Garcia, Michael Ammar's "Magical Arts Journal," the complete Tarbell Course from TrickshopMagic.com, a year's subscription from MagicMagazine.com, Wayne Houchin's "Sinful" and "Thread through Eye," and much much more! In addition, if you head over to the IMX Facebook page and comment today, you might just win an all expense paid trip to IMX 2011 in Las Vegas!

LISTEN TO OUR CHAT WITH THE MENTALISTS:


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"HOBGOBLIN" : MAGICIANS BATTLE HITLER

Writer Michael Chabon has cast his spell on HBO who have agreed to develop a project written by he and his wife, Ayelet Waldman.

According to Entertainment Weekly :  HBO is developing a drama series about a group of con men and magicians who battle Hitler and the Nazis during WWII. They use their powers of deception to outwit the Third Reich, you see.

Titled Hogoblin, the project is from Michael Chabon (Wonder Boys) and Ayelet Waidman (Bad Mother) and is described as in early development.

POTTER & POTTER'S RARE POSTER AUCTION

In the mailbox today, I received the hard copy of the catalog for March 26th Potter and Potter rare magic poster auctionl. It is filled with some great images and I want to thank my friend Gabe Fujari for sending one my way. You can get the PDF version of the catalog HERE and there are some additional images at the  Live Auctioneers website where you can sign up to bid on your favorite! Among the items most likely to bring the highest bids are a very early Okito (Theo Bamberg) lithograph estimated to bring $8000-$10000 and the famous, and extremely rare,  "Houdini Triumphant" poster with a high auction estimate of $20,000.  As mentioned in our last interview with Gabe, this poster and 100 others were discovered in a Chicago basement last year.

"These posters were one mans collection, but had been in storage for decades," said Gabe.  "Finding them all in one fell swoop was the kind of discovery collectors and consignors dream of. It was obvious to me  immediately on seeing the collection  that we had uncovered something very special. It would take a lifetime to build a collection like this."

In addition, if you missed my previous entry on local television coverage of the auction, here it is again:

A DIFFERENT KIND OF AWARD FOR TWO FAMOUS MAGICIANS

Thanks to Mel Keintz and Media Life Magazine, I've discovered that two of magic's better known performers have been nominated for a different kind of award... or at least some of their marketing has.  This Billboard promoting Penn & Teller at the Rio is amongst those which may receive an OBIE Award presented by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America. In addition to this reference to the famous sawing illusion, "The Penn & Teller campaign includes another billboard that shows Penn Jillette standing next to a helium canister holding the machine's dispenser to Teller's mouth. Teller is blown up like a balloon, and he appears to be floating off the billboard, with his comically inflated body jutting off the right side of the board and into space."

CARTER & THE GOLDEN AGE OF MAGIC

In a free article from Live Auction Talk, and just prior to the upcoming rare poster auction by Potter & Potter, we have a look at the idea of magic's golden age by a non-magician.

Using words to describe magic is like trying to light a fire without a spark. Something is missing. Something essential. 

As a magician, Charles Carter was the spark behind the flame. He brought magic to life on stage and made his illusions seem ever so real. 

Carter is well known for his publicity material, especially his lithographed posters which are collectible today. The large 1920s posters full of detail, color and drama were printed in multiple panels because of printing limitations of the time. Four separate sheets for a poster were not uncommon.

Contrary to the article, the poster pictured above sold for $7000 in the October auction.

CRISS ANGEL ENTERS MAGIC HALL OF FAME

From Robin Leach in his column at Las Vegas Weekly, we get details of the induction of Criss Angel into the Magic Hall of Fame at this year's World Magic Seminar. According to Robin :

Mindfreak illusionist Criss Angel has been recognized with the two highest awards in the world of magic and has become the youngest ever magician to be honored by two top organizations. Our hometown legend Lance Burton joined with World Magic Seminar’s Bob Rossi to present Criss with the World Magic Legacy Award recognizing Criss as a Living Legend for his unparalleled achievements and changing the face of magic. Criss is the youngest recipient of the award since the WMS was founded in 1977.

In his speech at the dual ceremonies, Criss thanked the magicians and the fans -- and then teased TheMagicPlace.com. He told me that it’s his largest and most ambitious project to date in his career. “It will launch this summer,” he promised. “You’ll get all the details as we get closer, but for now you can say ‘Magic Lives Here.’ I am so happy that so many of the headliner names of magic here have videotaped segments already.”