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stephenbanning
Regular user
United States
178 Posts
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Posted: Jan 3, 2004 1:35am
Does anyone else have memories of going to Jack Chanin's shop? I recieved some of my first props there 25 years ago. He had this little study where you would walk past doves and sit on a couch where he would demonstrate his egg bag, miser's dream, dye tube, etc. He was wonderful. Earlier this year at a workshop with Cellini, I learned Cellini had been good friends with Jack and that Jack was actually a gypsy. He was so kind and quiet, I never knew he was considered a magical great until years later.
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Dennis Michael
Inner circle
Atco, NJ
5972 Posts
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Posted: Mar 6, 2004 7:13am
Jack was a member of the now defunct Houdini Magic Club in Philadelphia. Yes I remember Jack well and he always carried a railroad spike!
His store intrigued me in that it was not organized but he knew where everything was!
In 1974, I sold most of my magic to Jack. I am now kicking myself because, I know now the value of those items.
Dennis Michael, Atco, NJ (856)768-2281
KIDabra Chapter #1
Facebook
Email: DennisMichael@KIDabra1.org
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stephenbanning
Regular user
United States
178 Posts
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Posted: Jul 20, 2004 4:38pm
That's interesting. What did the rail road spike do? A friend of mine said he used to visit Jack as well and that Jack would sometimes make the magic effect while the customer waited!
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magiccarpet
New user
59 Posts
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Posted: Sep 16, 2005 7:22pm
I remember going up the stairs to his shop. I think it was on Walnut Street.
He made me up a special set of rice bowls using his own version.
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magicHart
Elite user
Las Vegas, Nevada
471 Posts
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Posted: Dec 24, 2005 10:30am
Yep, the actual address was 1212 Walnut St. I first went to Chanin's Studio in the late 50's. Took the Reading Railroad into town from my home in Mt. Airy. What an experience, nothing was packaged, nothing seemed too organized, yet Jack knew where everthing was in a multitude of old chest of drawers.
He was a master at slight of hand, and would work wonders with his drawers of props.
I bought 5 tricks that first visit, a vanishing cigarette, sponge balls, flying saucers, a rope trick, and a color changing silk. He charged me $1.00 a trick.
You were taught by Jack, much of what he sold had no instructions.....other items were typwritten and mimeographed...they always contained the header...."from the private files of Chanin."
God rest his soul!
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JesterMan
Veteran user
Maryland, USA
323 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2006 4:14pm
I kick myself for not going there more often, although he was closed more often than not by the time I was able to get into Philly on my own. I went a time or two, and recalled the same 'atmosphere'. In fact, I liked it so much that I often have the same 'atmosphere' chez moi.
I think I still have an old catalog from his store; older than me, I think.
JM  
Balloons, Magic, Mayhem & More!
www.AArdvarkEntertainers.com
www.JesterMan.com
"... destined to take the place of the MudShark in your mythology... " FZ
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Steven Conner
Inner circle
1091 Posts
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Posted: Oct 24, 2007 6:19pm
Quote:
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On 2004-03-06 07:13, Dennis Michael wrote:
Jack was a member of the now defunct Houdini Magic Club in Philadelphia. Yes I remember Jack well and he always carried a railroad spike!
His store intrigued me in that it was not organized but he knew where everything was!
In 1974, I sold most of my magic to Jack. I am now kicking myself because, I know now the value of those items.
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Dennis, I nearly bought Jack's Shop in 1976 when I got married. The only reason I didn't was at the time, I thought Jack was probably the only one who could sell his stuff. I wish I had went ahead and bought the place. $17,000 was his asking price. When you think about U3F and then saw Jack do the same thing with huge 3" saucers was really neat.
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MerlH
Loyal user
Carolina Shores, N.C.
243 Posts
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Posted: Dec 20, 2007 7:22am
When Jack would lecture, he did many things with a thumb tip. When he wnt to the explaination, the thumb tip was chrome plated! He made the point that a thumb tip never had to be seen so it didn't matter if the flesh color was not "correct"
Merl Hamen Old dog-- New tricks
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Magicray69
Loyal user
Ray Lucas
272 Posts
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Posted: Aug 14, 2008 4:15am
Jack was probably the best 'sleever' ever. He made those cigars vanish and reappear and was always 3 steps ahead of you. Right when you thought you knew where the cigar was, he would drop that railroad spike onto the floor with a loud KLANG! Quite a character and he had a great oriental stage show. A magician's magician for sure.
There was a time I had the blues,
the reason was I had no shoes.
Until I met upon the street
a man who had no feet.
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Dennis Michael
Inner circle
Atco, NJ
5972 Posts
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Posted: Jul 17, 2010 5:13am
He loved to mystify Magicians!
Dennis Michael, Atco, NJ (856)768-2281
KIDabra Chapter #1
Facebook
Email: DennisMichael@KIDabra1.org
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Mowee
Loyal user
226 Posts
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Posted: Oct 25, 2010 2:04pm
I was fortunate enough to work for Jack in the early 60s. My father had been a loyal customer and when he died, Jack offered to help me. So of course I worked for free. LOL. It was a great time and I learned a great deal. Like when he would give me a couple of bucks and say kid, I need a few more miser's dreams...go to woolworths and get me cups that look like this. I think the last time I saw him perform was at a Magic Convention in the early 80s.
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J Christensen
Regular user
113 Posts
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Posted: Oct 28, 2010 4:28pm
In 1969 I took two friends up those stairs off Walnut. We took one look at the incredible disarray in his store and thinking it was a storage room, we turned around to start down the stairs. Just then we heard Jack call out and we were ushered to the sofa (after stacks of papers and some boxes were removed). Jack proceeded to offer an amazing performance. My friends were thunderstruck. I bought several items from him, but the only one I remember is his impromptu torn-and-restored dollar bill. He was certainly one of a kind!
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squando
Elite user
435 Posts
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Posted: Dec 11, 2010 10:25pm
I visited in the 70's. I bought a plastic walnut set for the three shell game. Didn't do it like the saleman, still don't.
Frank
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Pasquale
New user
57 Posts
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Posted: Nov 7, 2011 3:52pm
Made many trips to Chanin's in the 70's - Kanters too. Still have the devil's hank I bought from Jack......
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egyptianhallmysteries
New user
1 Post
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Posted: Jan 30, 2012 9:39pm
Great memories of Jack and taking lessons in his Market Street shop in 50's when my brother and I were doing every school, birthday party, cub scout banquet booking we could get. In the early 70's we talked about doing his book...but his wife became ill and my travel schedule was hectic...we lost touch, and as you know someone else did the book with him. I beleive we still have several "Big Tens" around.
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fredm
New user
16 Posts
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 9:11pm
Their is a hardcover book called "Chanin"by Dave Haversat. book cotaines stories and pictures of Jack.Also reprints of some of Jack's small booklets.
Fred
Fred Mitchell
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Jim Sparx
Inner circle
Far Out, Texas
1125 Posts
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Posted: May 12, 2012 11:05am
Never been there but I do have an Abbott's catalog with his signature in it as previous owner.
Spartacus died for your sloth
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bigcheese
New user
Sacramento, CA
55 Posts
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Posted: Oct 28, 2012 12:50am
Considering how vital the 'late greats' were to so many contemporary successful magicians I live in hope there are still such people providing inspiration, along with the equipment needed.
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Dick Oslund
Special user
616 Posts
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Posted: Jan 11, 2013 11:50am
YES! I certainly remember Jack! WE WERE FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE S E C R E T S I X !!!
I'll write up the 'story' of the SECRET SIX and it will be a part of my upcoming book(working title: "EVERYTHING I OWN HAS A HANDLE ON TOP OR WHEELS UNDERNEATH".
I first saw Jack "working" at an MAES convention in Lancaster PA in 1953. (What a sleever!!!!!) We got acquainted at the Norfolk MAES a year later. I was 22,and trying to do a "swayve and deboner" act. --Which endeavor was "forgotten" shortly after Jack and I spent an hour in the green room. He shared bits and ideas that have stayed with me and have been used by me in professional work, ever since.
I didn't see him again until 1965 at a MAGI FEST in Columbus OH. He was pitching a "trick" for $5.00, and I think it cost him at least $.25!!! He had a "hernia". (it was a roll of bils that created a huge bulge in his side pocket!) As soon as I can find a few more free minutes,I'll describe the trick!!!
I think the next time we met was at an Abbott GTG in Colon. He was on one of the shows, I think, so Recil gave him dealer space. He always had a big tip in front of his joint. He took an afternoon off and visited a Jewish childrens' summer camp, where he did a little show. When he returned he had a beautiful framed picture of a SHAMUS WITH A CHOFAR. (I hope I spelled that fairly correctly--otherwise June Horowitz will disown me) I said: "Jack! a Shamus with a Chofar!" He looked surprised and asked: "You a "Hebe", too?"
I said: "No, old friend, just a shagitz-goy!" We both had a good laugh.
When I find some more free minutes, I'll also tell about Jay Marshall taking me to see the Walnut St. shop in 1976 (SAM "LEGIONAIRES' DISEASE CONVENTION)
That's enough for now! (My fingers are gettin tired)
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Steven Conner
Inner circle
1091 Posts
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Posted: Jan 18, 2013 4:09pm
I nearly bought his business in 1977. Spent a lot of time with Jack, still have his flying saucers, shells, as well as other items. His Chinese Act was incredible.
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Jim Sparx
Inner circle
Far Out, Texas
1125 Posts
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Posted: Jan 19, 2013 3:56pm
Ha, I just acquired a Thayers #4 catalog with Jack Chanin's signature in it. That is the third catalog I have with his name in it.
Spartacus died for your sloth
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Jim Sparx
Inner circle
Far Out, Texas
1125 Posts
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Posted: Feb 13, 2013 5:39pm
The current owner of Jack Chanin's now advertises and sells on the unmentionable auction site. Ran across some products a few days ago...
Spartacus died for your sloth
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Dick Oslund
Special user
616 Posts
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Posted: Apr 16, 2013 6:36pm
OK, I promised (see post above on January 11)to find a few minutes to tell the story of Jack's "FIVE DOLLAR FIRE TRICK.
The Magi-Fest in 1965 was in a downtown hotel. There was no 'dealer room'. The dealers set up shop in the rooms they were 'living in' for the weekend. As I walked down the corridor, I heard uproarious laughing from a room a bit further down. When I entered (difficult because it was crowded)Jack was demonstrating (in his inimitable way!)a trick of his own "invention--?". He had a pile of cocktail napkins ('borrowed' from the hotel bar)and pail half full of water on the floor. He would pick up a napkin, unfold it, and grasping the center with one hand, he would stroke the rest of the napkin with the other hand, so the center stuck 'up'. He held the napkin 'cupped' in both hands, and with two fingers he bent the tip of the napkin toward himself. I seem to remember that he would breathe on the napkin, and the NAPKIN WAS ON FIRE! He waited a moment so that the group could see it was real fire. Then he crumpled it and dropped it into the pail of water.
"How much, Jack?" "Five dollars!" Five dollar bills 'rained down' on Jack, who handed each 'donor' a small cardboard box. I don't remember if any instructions were provided. Yes! (As the old Svengali pitch line goes: I nearly tore my underwear, grabbing for my wallet!)
As I mentioned in my previous post, The price was $5, and I'm sure that the gimmick cost Jack at least $.25!
So, (come in close, I don't want the whole world to hear this.)
Popular among pipe smokers then (maybe it still is, I don't know, I don't smoke.)was a pipe lighter which was especially practical if one wanted to light his pipe outside in the wind. It was cylindrical, about 1" in diameter and about 3" long.If held with one end against the heel of the hand, and the other end against the second joints of the middle and ring fingers, it could be sqeezed and when squeezed it opened at the center and a wheel inside rotated against a flint. Cotton wool, soaked in lighter fluid, burst into flame. Of course, the napkin just above caught fire. The fire provided misdirection as Jack's left hand held the burning napkin up to about eye level, while sleeving (he was a master at the art that Emil Jarrow had practiced with a handful of loose tobacco.)the (CHROME PLATED) gimmick. His hernia (caused by the roll of $5 bills became more acute as the day wore on. Jack was the quintessential itinerant mountebank. Not only that, he was a real mentch and a real maven. June Horowitz is going to disown me! --I know I haven't spelled mentch correctly!
A few years later, Dick Jarrow was the founder of a 'nefarious lodge' and Jack, Karrell Fox, Doc Mossey, Duke Stern, and Jay Marshall became the
charter members. A few years later, I had the honor(?)LOL, of being 'initiated' as the first new member. If you haven't heard of it, it was the SECRET SIX! When I joined, it remained the Secret SIX. I was given the membership number: 6 7/8!
The Secret Six? --I'll tell (as Paul Harvey used to say)the 'rest of the story' in my upcoming book.
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Jim Sparx
Inner circle
Far Out, Texas
1125 Posts
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Posted: Apr 18, 2013 9:14pm
Mensch
I was a pipe smoker when I was younger and I remember that little lighter. will try to find one on ...
and yes, similar little gadgets are available...called the nim rod
Spartacus died for your sloth
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