This is more of a commentary/journal entry more than anything:

Rick Fisher, owner of FAB Magic Company contacted me through the forums.
I remember when I first received a message from him. I was quite delighted.
He recalled how he remember seeing my father back in the "good-ole-days"
of Abbots and that Percy's daughter say's "Hello!".

You have to realize how much I enjoy receving notes like that to pass along
to my parents. Today where much of us "Old" folk are drowned in the very
muddy waters of amauterous and non-full-time magicians, receiving things
like that are quite treasured.

I say "Old" folk as I'm not as up in age as my Uncle Jay and George and
many of our friends out there, I am grouped with them. Since I had the
privelage of knowing many of these fine fine magicians at very young age.

Anyway, back to the topic.

I recieved a kind message from Rick about some old copies of TOPS he
had and wanted to send them to us. One included my father on the cover,
and the other one of me as a baby, at my inspection party at the little
theatre at MAGIC,Inc. (Those were the days!)

I looked at the magazine and I couldn't help but get tearied eyed.

These pages filled with words of our friends. Many of them long gone
now. But words that I was part of a great history.

What sets apart TOPS from other magazines?

The writers.

The way the taught through words and explained things.
And events.

Each writer filled these pages with things that happen currently.
And not just a column of words. Like 2-3 pages. All over the world.


In a time where people connected by phone - to - phone where you
actually would talk to this person on the phone. The words flowed from
thier mouth to your ear. Writing word for word. Unlike today where
we have these Walls put up by the internet and caller ID. Voice mail.
Contact my Press Agent or Manager.

There was a comradeship that was there. A respect that is no longer around.

I can't explain in exact words I feel but I think the few of you who know me,
and the stories you have shared with me completely understand.

In TOPS magazine, there's a historical timeline that was set. By month,
and by year. Its a very important magazine that is of our magical histories.

For me, a little growing up in the big world of magic there is.

When you turn to page Page 17 of the January 1976 issue of the magazine
with Kramien on the cover. There's a photo. My mom, holding me, with
Uncle George next to my father. Taken by Don Theobald. The party held
at Uncle Jay's and Aunt Frances' MAGIC Inc in the little theatre. Where there
are all the photos of the original and expanded Magicians Roundtable. All those
antique posters that Norm Nielson and David Copperfield now own. And at that
time, Dean Werner Dornfield who in the article stated, voted for Howard Taft
in 1908 attended MY BABY INSPECTION PARTY.

That's a historical timeline!

Maybe not for the reader who is my age today. But for me. Or for anyone else
who was there, or wants to know what 1975 in Chicago at Magic Inc was like.

Its my time that I can reflect back. And my friends current, and past can
read and relate and remincince. Articles written by Sid, Frances, Jack and Neil and more.

That's why TOPS magazine is my all time favorite magic magazine.

Long Live TOPS!

I have to agree with you about TOPS, the articles were great and very minimal advertising. I especially liked Sid Lorraines column and Nick Trost's card effects each issue..I still have many at home and occasionally will go grab them and re-read them one more time...
Glad someone else liked TOPS
Rennie

TOPS was great. Another great read from that period is the Ireland/Magic Inc. "YEAR BOOKS" that came out annually. The material was great and the family-feeling to the writing made everyone feel like an insider>wonderful stuff!

By the way, is TOPS available for purchase in some form currently, other than obtaining someone's collection of the original magazines?

Following the protocols,
Jordan

I have some extra copies.

There has been some talk at Abbott's about possibly taking the all the old tops we have stored, which include the tops and the new tops, and putting them on CD-Rom. This would be a tremendous undertaking, and that is why it hasn't happened yet. But if enough people began to express interest, I could probably get Greg to realize that it would be worth it.
So tell your friends call Abbott's and let them know you would be willing to part with some of your cash for The Tops on CD Rom.

BJ Mallen

Archiving the history of magic is ALWAYS a worthwhile endeavor. BJ, perhaps you should touch base with Chris Wasshuber about this. He seems to have the ebook down to a science.

I would love to see TOPS and the New TOPS magazine on CD-ROM... mine were all lost along the way, and I miss having them to read.

The New Tops (vol. 1 1961 thru vol. 34 1994) are currently digitally archived, fully searchable, and available online (along with DOZENS of other magic periodicals) if you are a member of The Conjuring Arts Research Center. If you are doing any magic research, or just enjoy magic history and reading old magic periodicals, it’s money well spent, and goes to a good cause. About half your membership is also tax deductible. What more could you ask for. Hope some more of you join. I guarantee you won’t be sorry.

Mark Damon

http://www.conjuringarts.org/index.shtml