COVER: Tony Clark, the Man Behind the Many Masks
Onstage, magician Tony Clark conveys an attitude both elegant and powerful. His attire is traditional yet discriminating; his features chiseled and attractive; his movements at once fluid and compelling. His demeanor suggests an elemental being filled with the power to create, transform, and evaporate flame, doves, cards, and silks at his mere whim, and it is not accidental that his classic dove act is iconically framed with the half-mask made famous by Andrew Lloyd Webber's monstrous hit, The Phantom of the Opera. Tony's appearances behind the Phantom mask have become rarer than the sighting of a clown at midnight. He has been assuming other guises: lecturing and teaching, consulting for motion pictures and television, expanding his successful mail-order business, and producing revue shows in resort communities along the California/Nevada border. Tony Clark may wear many masks today, but every one of them was forged by his dedication to, and all-consuming passion for, the art of magic.
By Mark Nelson

The Amazing Mr Fogel
Six rifles, all loaded and ready to fire, were displayed on a revolving stand. Six volunteers were chosen from the audience, often soldiers. One volunteer and a rifle were selected at random. The gun was emptied by firing it at a saucer on a stand above Maurice's head. The now-empty rifle was returned to the stand, which was given a spin by the volunteer. It was now totally "lost" amongst the remaining five loaded rifles. Each volunteer was then given a number that he hung around his neck. The six soldiers each picked a rifle at random. On a large stand behind Maurice a card bearing a huge question mark, which had been visible the whole time, was removed. On the back was written: "Tonight's lucky number is four." "Please, who has number four?" asked Maurice. "You, sir, are to fire at my forehead. The rest of you are requested to fire at your own respective saucers." The tension, as one would imagine, was mounting. It was a dramatic scene. "One, two, three... fire!" The rifles rang out, and the saucers were smashed to smithereens. Maurice was unscathed. The applause was nearly as deafening as the rifles. Was it luck, chance, bravery, madness, or what?
By Chris Woodward

Poster Prestidigitation
In October of 2006, two lithographed Houdini posters from the Christian Fechner collection were sold at auction. When the gavel fell, the winning bid was an astonishing $65,000 each. Posters have not always been so valuable, and today, not all vintage conjuring lithos fetch stratospheric prices. In the last 27 years, however, prices of vintage magic posters have, almost universally, gone one direction: up. Whether posters are purchased as investments or simply as authentic, artistic relics of magic's golden age, they were and are meant for one thing: display. At one time, that meant the sides of barns; today, many grace living-room walls. But what if a vintage poster shows its age unfavorably? What if time and mistreatment has stained, damaged, or torn the lithograph?
By Gabe Fajuri

Germany's Magic Theatre Festival
Within the last ten or fifteen years, a new genre of magic show has been gaining popularity, especially in Germany, where quite a few magicians have created their own two-hour theatrical productions. These are not the traditional illusion shows, but more akin to classic drama, one- or two-person shows in which magic effects help to define the characters and further a narrative story. At the same time, the magic is much more than merely special effects used to enhance a drama. Wittus Witt held a long-time dream of a magic-theatre festival to display some of these unusual shows to the public. A long weekend with two shows a night would offer the public a chance to alter their own perceptions about magic. Last winter, Witt finally convinced a theater to give it a try.
By Alan Howard

Starr - A Magic Secret Reveled
The value of a magic secret is that the audience never really thinks about the time, practice, and money it takes to develop; it is often invisible and unknown to the viewer. In this regard, Starr has become one of the great secrets in magic, helping create images for many of the craft's top performers, but unknown to most.
By Rory Johnston

Update
In the news this month, read about the Philadelphia Eagles' long-snapper who is also a pretty good sleight of hand guy, Uri Geller's crowned successor and the controversy surrounding his television program, an alleged "espionage tool" that might just be in most magicians' pockets, magicians and magic-themed shows that are popping up on television; plus celebrate the 30th anniversary of Le Grand David and his Own Spectacular Magic Company when we spend "A Moment With... David Bull.
By Shawn McMaster

And Much More!