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snowpuppy Veteran user Juneau,Alaska 325 Posts |
As the years are creeping up on me,my thoughts at times come up on the subject of what to do with my Magic when I retire or "Pass On" to the next stage.My children are grown and really have no interest in the Performance side of Dad's Art.(They love to watch and will give the Old Man a hand when I need an assistant "in the know",but as my oldest said,"After watching you over the years,it's more work than I want to invest".)So there lies my problem,leave it to them to sell off and split the proceeds or I know a young man here in town (twelve)that is highly interested and motivated in the Magical Arts,and I could leave it all to him.What are your thoughts on this and has this come to your mind too?Any other suggestions?Mike
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LobowolfXXX Inner circle La Famiglia 1196 Posts |
Unless your kids really need the money, I like the idea of passing it on to someone who has a real passion for the art.
"Torture doesn't work" lol
Guess they forgot to tell Bill Buckley. "...as we reason and love, we are able to hope. And hope enables us to resist those things that would enslave us." |
balducci Loyal user Canada 227 Posts |
How much and what sort of stuff (stage illusions or books and DVDs?) are you talking about?
And is any of it really valuable from a collecting point of view (e.g., first edition of Erdnase's book)? Assuming it is not, I would suggest you ask your kids if there is anything that they would like to keep for sentimental reasons. But then let the rest go to a person who, or maybe a club that, would appreciate and hopefully be able to make use of it.
Make America Great Again! - Trump in 2020 ... "We're a capitalistic society. I go into business, I don't make it, I go bankrupt. They're not going to bail me out. I've been on welfare and food stamps. Did anyone help me? No." - Craig T. Nelson, actor.
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Josh the Superfluous Inner circle The man of 1881 Posts |
If you gave it to the kid, his patter would practically write itself. I know that gesture would have been huge to me at his age. Heck, it'd be huge to me now. And I have a real passion for the art. Let's not rush to pick this kid. Maybe you should think of someone older. In a troubled part of the country, say Michigan...
What do you want in a site? "Honesty, integrity and decency." -Mike Doogan
"I hate it, I hate my ironic lovechild. I didn't even have anything to do with it" Josh #2 |
Josh the Superfluous Inner circle The man of 1881 Posts |
If you do leave it to your kids, you might write up descriptions of the props, and take a photo of what belongs together. So they know what they have.
What do you want in a site? "Honesty, integrity and decency." -Mike Doogan
"I hate it, I hate my ironic lovechild. I didn't even have anything to do with it" Josh #2 |
snowpuppy Veteran user Juneau,Alaska 325 Posts |
My collection consists of Books,VHS Tapes,DVDs,Curtains,Lights,Sound Equipment,Misc.Props and Magic from Close-Up to Stage Illusions,ranging from mid 50s - now and growing.Some are collectable I would imagine ie:Milson-Worth,Signed and Dated Owen Redwine Illusion ect.Mike
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Give it all away to young local magicians before you die. I'll bet it's cold tonight in Juneau.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Do a one man show and call it Northern Exposure and charge people to see bits of the DVDs etc.
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Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
Mentor the kid now while you are still around...
Be his Mr. Miyagi like in the Karate Kid movies... Then when you are no longer here, it is only natural who gets what. Just my opinion on it. Great thoughts btw...
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
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Tom Jorgenson Inner circle LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA 4451 Posts |
12 years old may be a bit young...as of yet, you don't know if this is a short-lived love affair with magic. Happens a lot, you know.
You could give him a few good pieces, see how he handles them, and, unless you're planning on croaking soon, you could keep this up for years and as long as you were sure he was into magic. Any basic magic books should go to your town or local school library. As bait. To give any future magicians something to chew on.
We dance an invisible dance to music they cannot hear.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
I have in my will that my entire collection is to be given to the local IBM Ring to support Magic Youth/Society of Young Magician programs in Raleigh and neighboring Rings/Assemblies. It sounds to me, Mike, that you're on a similar track. Support the future generations and they will remember you.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
AsL Special user 680 Posts |
Certainly some excellent suggestions so far. Personally, I think I'd let my kids make the decision. Id tell them that whatever they don't want for sentimental & monetary purposes, please leave to the kid. As previously suggested, Id also label everything (or take pictures) so everything is relatively easy to sort out.
Here's another thought- if there's a magic related book (or prop) that you own that positively influenced you not only as a magician but as a person, why not write a little note in the book (or prop) now that will be given to the kid when you pass? What you write is personal and is up to you but could include things such as what you saw in him, what you hope for him, and maybe some personal advice that he'll be able to cherish during his lifetime. Just a small way to possibly make a contribution to the world after you pass... All the Best, Andrew |
MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Change your name to Some Guy, they'll remember you then when some kid says "where we get all this stuff?" and the reply is "some guy left it when he croaked".
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Start selling it off to magicians now. Don't leave that part up to the kids.
Better to just leave them the money. You personally can get a better price while finding a good home for it. Sell it to the good guys here on the Café at a discounted but fair price. Sell it under the condition that the new owner love and care for it the way you have. Good luck in finding a good home for it so it can live on. Hey, I know the feeling. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
AsL Special user 680 Posts |
Ya know- on second thought, I agree with Tom to an extent. Your kids will already be struggling. Don't leave props that they'll never use behind for them to sell. That's ALOT of extra stress while already dealing with a loss.
I still stand behind my second idea though |
snowpuppy Veteran user Juneau,Alaska 325 Posts |
As I don't plan on "kicking the bucket" anytime soon,I just thought this would be an interesting Topic to post and see what the reaction would be.So far very interesting.After speaking with my kids,they all agree that to break-up the collection would be of no help to anyone and to sell them off would be an insult to me.They think my idea or the ideas of Skip Way and Asl are good too.They are quite happy with the tapes I converted to DVDs of some of my Shows (including their B-Day Parties)and the Collector Coins I have given them is already a Great reminder of Dad.As for my "Tricks",they are returned to their original box/packaging w/instructions they came in.(I don't think there are many of us that do this).I think we ALL should "Ponder the Thought",Mike
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Magical Dimensions Inner circle 5001 Posts |
I have also thought about this over the years. It might be a good idea to make friends with a few at the local magic clubs and have them sell it. I don't belong to any clubs because I didn't really like them. LOL
Ray |
snowpuppy Veteran user Juneau,Alaska 325 Posts |
I forgot to add "when not in use" to my last post.Mike
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
I may have pondered a little too deep there. Thought you were packed. LOL Sorry bout that.
Still, I'm not sure a collection would remain together for long with a single new young owner. I would leave the videos of me, small personal items, etc, to the family. But I think with the rest I would feel better about finding each piece a new home myself. I like the idea of writing notes in some of the books etc. Maybe even draw a little smiley face on the bottom of a prop. That would cause the new owner to smile while on stage. But then, later in the dark, that might be a little too spooky for some. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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