First thing you’ll notice once you’re inside are warm red walls and green trimmed shelves, the glass cases flanking the walls, but make sure you look up at the ceiling, where hearts, spades, clubs, and diamonds form a constellation overhead. Dead center and behind the register is an alcove leading to a back room crammed with books, memorabilia, and a mesmerizing stack of bowler hats. I think there’s one with my name on it.
The walls are papered with posters of names you’d expect — Houdini at the Empire Theater and an elegant deco-style one of inimitable Blackstone. Keep looking and you’ll see ones touting gigs of lesser known practitioners such as Stanfield, Master Magician, Professor Anderson at the Standard, and my personal favorite, one of an Alfred P. Soll, perhaps from the '30s, wearing a gaucho hat, striking an oh-so mysterious pose. Black and white photographs from the past occupy the space in between — men in tuxedos, men in turbans, men dressed in exotic garb from a fantasy Eastern realm — artists who defied logic, entertained the hell out of people, and looked elegant to boot while pulling it off.
Chock full display cases beckon you to come close to check out the booklets, with titles such as Hot Canary, Mismaid Girl, and Conjuring con Carney. And the tricks! Shelf after shelf, item after item, there’s a universe to choose from, whether you’re a first timer or talented veteran. I spied Morrisey cups, Indian cups with those little disappearing balls of my childhood, playing cards, including one with the interesting moniker of “Stripper Deck.” Don’t miss the color-changing knives, the “Stainless Steel Black Appearing Cane Maintenance Free.” You can have a demonstration, buy ‘em, and I’d encourage you to do just that, but beware — this kind of fun is habit-forming.
Article Author: Lisa Alvarado
Lisa Alvarado is a poet, novelist, and performance artist. She is the author of The Housekeeper's Diary, Reclamo, and Sister Chicas. In 2007, Sister Chicas was the 2nd place winner of the Mariposa/International Latino Book Award for Best 1st Novel in English. …
Article comments
1 - magoRicardo.com
it is great to see an article written by someone outside magic, we take many things for granted when we are magicians that we loose a sight of the wonderful effect that has on others, thank you for this wonderful article. Ricardo