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Beth Loyal user Missouri 277 Posts |
Hey Guys,
Is anyone familiar with the organization Magic Gals, a magic organization exclusively for women than I believe ran from the 40's through the 60's? Although their crest says 1919, so I am not sure about that fact. The officers listed were Honary Lifetime President Beatrice Houdini, National President Carolyn Trask, Vice-president Jennie Floyd Thayer, Mrs Ora Dillinger secretary,and Vera Baxter treasurer. I would love to hear any info/ stories anyone has on this group and would be willing to purchase any old newsletters or pictures. Peace Beth
"All creative art is magic, is evocation of the unseen in forms persuasive,enlightening, familar, and surprising."
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Damon Regular user 108 Posts |
Hi Beth,
Sorry to see you have not gotten any response to your information request yet. I’ll try and help out if I can, or at least steer you in a direction that can help with your research. I think your best source for the early history is going to be from old Genii magazines. Geraldine (Conrad) Larsen wrote a column starting in 1936 entitled “Paging The Ladies”. After the Magigals was organized in 1939, she had a section devoted to their doings in each column. There is a crest shown in each column that shows 1939, not 1919 as the founding date. You can get access to the complete Genii archives from a few sources. One is from Genii directly at http://geniimagazine.com/genii_index/index.html . Another way, and you can have access to Genii, and many more old magic publications is through membership in The Conjuring Arts Research Center http://www.conjuringarts.org/. I have no direct knowledge of how the search capabilities with the Genii, site are, but I am a member of the C.A.R.C. and I can say it is well worth the membership fee. I also have in my personal collection, the complete run of the IBM’s Linking Ring in searchable format (and the Sphinx). I came up with over 400 hits in the Linking Ring alone for Magigal, although many do not directly relate to the organization. Good luck, and don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions. Regards, Mark Damon P.S. Here is the snippet on the organization from Whaley’s Who’s Who in Magic. It may still be a viable organization. Magigals USA: 1939-present. Founded in Los Angeles in Apr 1939 as an offshoot of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians (PCAM) as "A Magic Organization Exclusively for Women". It has grown from a local chapter into a national and, finally since 1941, an international organization ("Magigals International"). Basically a "ladies auxiliary", it does include a small proportion of professional and amateur women magicians and magician's assistants. Its first President was Geraldine "Gerrie" Larsen 1939. Official newsletter is Backstage with Magigals 1952-1983-present. |
hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
Frances Marshall was very active in it also. It started out as a west coast organization. Gerry Larsen and Teddie Leon were both presidents.
Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
airship Inner circle In my day, I have driven 1594 Posts |
Here's a link to a 1949 'Shadow' story that features the Magigals:
http://www.pos1.info/m/magigals.htm On this site, Anne Lever is listed as the editor of the Magigals magazine; perhaps you could contact her for more information: http://www.taurusmagic.net/aboutus.html If you search Google you'll find several web sites of female magicians who say they are or have been associated with Magigals: http://www.google.com/search?q=Magigals+-mystery
'The central secret of conjuring is a manipulation of interest.' - Henry Hay
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Daveandrews Special user London, UK 723 Posts |
My wife is the Treasurer of the British Magigals (note name) and when she is around (in bed at present as it's 1.56am here in the UK) I'll get her to give you the info.
Best wishes, Dave
http://[URL]www.partymagic.org.uk" target="_blank">www.partymagic.org.uk" target="_blank">http://[URL]www.partymagic.org.uk
Winner of KIDabra International's 'People's Choice Award' Winner IBM British Ring Dittia Shield for manipulation x 2 |
Damon Regular user 108 Posts |
Nice to see others have joined in to help Beth with her search into the Magigal organization. Sounds like she may have hit the jackpot with someone like Dave’s wife helping out. Good to know there are young people like Beth interested in magic’s history.
Dave, I see from your web site that your based in London, any chance you know Bobby Bernard? If so, please tell him Mark Damon says hello, and that the Douglas Dexter autograph book is still cherished, and in good hands. Regards, Mark |
Daveandrews Special user London, UK 723 Posts |
Mark, I certainly do know Bobby (and have done for quite some years) and will pass your message on.
Best wishes, Dave
http://[URL]www.partymagic.org.uk" target="_blank">www.partymagic.org.uk" target="_blank">http://[URL]www.partymagic.org.uk
Winner of KIDabra International's 'People's Choice Award' Winner IBM British Ring Dittia Shield for manipulation x 2 |
Damon Regular user 108 Posts |
Hi Dave,
It’s been a number of years (4 or 5) since I last called and talked with Bobby (hope he remembers me). He is a very interesting man. I enjoyed our conversations and the wonderful inside stories he told me of magicians of the past. The most prized piece I have in my letter and autograph collection I purchased from Bobby. It was British magician Douglas Dexter’s (1878-1937) autograph book. The autographs in it are the cream of the crop of magicians from, and playing in England in the teens and 20’s. Here are just a few of the autographs, David Devant, Nevil Maskelyne, Horace Goldin, Fred Culpitt, Chung Ling Soo, Okito, The Great Raymond, Arnold de Biere, Dr. Byrd Page, Earnest Noakes, Ellis Stanyon, Will Goldston, Angelo Lewis a.k.a “Professor Hoffmann”, P.T. Selbit, Max Malini, + dozens more. I get chills every time I look through it thinking of the hands that once held it. For those not aware, Bobby (now in his mid 70's) is an actor,and first class close up magician. He has also written a few books on his magic. He also wrote a monthly column in "The Linking Ring" back in the late 50’s called “London-Bobby Bernard Reporting”. I still enjoy going back and reading those old columns. Thanks again Dave for passing on my best wishes!! Sorry all for straying a liitle off subject. Regards, Mark Damon |
Daveandrews Special user London, UK 723 Posts |
Just to bring it back to the subject - but who cares when Bobby Bernard is involved!
Beth, Sally, my wife, has PM'd you. Hope you got it. Best wishes (and to you, Mark), Dave
http://[URL]www.partymagic.org.uk" target="_blank">www.partymagic.org.uk" target="_blank">http://[URL]www.partymagic.org.uk
Winner of KIDabra International's 'People's Choice Award' Winner IBM British Ring Dittia Shield for manipulation x 2 |
Hideo Kato Inner circle Tokyo 5649 Posts |
I am browsing Genii archives and found 'Magigals Page' in every issues around 1944 to 1945. There is always photo of members in every issue.
When I searched by 'Magigals', I hit 62 documents. Hideo Kato P.S. I am downloading materials only for card magic, but I guess I must download more than 3000 pages. It's a tough work, but I am founding several important materials in historical value. |
Shawn Farquhar V.I.P. Canada 760 Posts |
Hi folks,
Magigals International was basically "blended" into the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians in 2001 at the AGM (annual general meeting) of the PCAM. The final International President was Lori Farquhar after Janet Vance of Oregon had held the office. The London Magigals is still active but the North American chapters were all gone and the only meeting these "Gals" held were during the PCAM convention. When the association was formed women were not permitted in most magic clubs as they were basically mens social clubs. Now that every major magic organization has accepted female membership the last board of directors decided to disband the association. It was a sad event but the lack of interest in most of the world, with the exception of the UK, made the decision easier. Cheers, Shawn ps. I have almost every newsletter published by Magigals. These were a gift to me from Lottie Hemeon. To keep her memory alive the SAM Assembly 95 honors one individual with the Lottie Hemeon Award of Honor. Past recipients include Teresa Midbo (Murray Hatfield), Ann Eng (Tony Eng), Carol Roy (Marvin Roy and Lori Farquhar ( me). |
Damon Regular user 108 Posts |
Hi Shawn,
Very interesting and informative post. |
Daveandrews Special user London, UK 723 Posts |
Hi Shawn - just a point, but it is 'British Magigals', not 'London Magigals'.
Your post is really interesting and I will have to drag my wife to the computer tomorrow to have a read. Best wishes, Dave
http://[URL]www.partymagic.org.uk" target="_blank">www.partymagic.org.uk" target="_blank">http://[URL]www.partymagic.org.uk
Winner of KIDabra International's 'People's Choice Award' Winner IBM British Ring Dittia Shield for manipulation x 2 |
Shawn Farquhar V.I.P. Canada 760 Posts |
Ooops you are so correct. I even knew that as I was typing it is the British Magigals ... I also believe there are a number of "members at large" still active.
Cheers, Shawn |
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