Formation | February 10, 1922 |
---|---|
Type | Non-profit |
Headquarters | St. Charles, Missouri, US |
President | Billy Hsueh |
Website | www.magician.org |
International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) is an organization for both professional and amateur close-up and stage magicians, with approximately 15,000 members worldwide. The headquarters is in St. Charles, Missouri. There are over 300 local groups, called Rings, in more than 88 countries, largely concentrated in cities of the United States and Canada. The organization publishes a monthly periodical entitled The Linking Ring , which features tricks, coverage of shows and events in the magic community, and interviews with magicians.
The organization was founded February 10, 1922 [1] in Winnipeg, Manitoba by Len Vintus (stage name of Melvin Justus Given McMullen) of Transcona, Manitoba, which would later amalgamate with Winnipeg. [2] [3] Gene Gordon (a.k.a. Gordon Avery) of Buffalo, New York, and Don Rogers (a.k.a. Ernest Schieldge). Unlike earlier magic clubs, such as the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) in the United States and The Magic Circle in England, the I.B.M. was begun by magicians living outside the major cities, who were unable to attend magic club meetings, and who kept in contact by post. [4]
Gene Gordon established the first local group, Ring 1, in Rochester, New York. The original Ring 1 eventually disbanded, [5] and St. Louis, Missouri later assumed the vacated title of Ring 1, which it continues to hold today. Since then, a new club, Ring 4, formed in Rochester.
The I.B.M. holds an annual convention, usually in June or July. Although the S.A.M. and the Magic Circle held banquets as early as 1905, the I.B.M. was the first to hold a magic convention, in Kenton, Ohio, on June 9–10, 1926. [4] The 66th annual convention was held in Orlando, Florida. [6]
Each international territory has a Territorial Vice President who coordinates with the Rings in that country and other Territorial Vice Presidents.
The International Brotherhood of Magicians has a number of local clubs, located throughout the world, known as Rings. [7] Each Ring was originally numbered in sequence, based on when it received its charter from the I.B.M. Since then, some clubs have dissolved, and newer clubs have assumed some of the vacated ring numbers.
Membership is open to amateur and professional magicians, as well as those who collect magic apparatus and effects. Active members must be at least 18 years old, and youth members must be 7–17 years of age. Active members must have had an interest in magic for at least two years, or one year for youth members.
Since 1937, a new International President is elected to the I.B.M. each year. [8]
Past presidents include:
The International Brotherhood of Magicians holds annual conventions, usually in July. In 2008, 2014, and 2017, the I.B.M. and the Society of American Magicians hosted a combined convention. More than 1,900+ amateur and professional magicians from around the world attended the gatherings in Louisville, Kentucky, in July 2008, [12] in St. Louis, Missouri, in July 2014, and again in Louisville, Kentucky, in July 2017.
The International Brotherhood of Magicians held the world's first magic convention in 1926. Contests are held, and awards are given in several categories. Below is a listing of the First Place winners as noted in the I.B.M. Official publication, The Linking Ring. The Gold Cups and Gold Medal Awards are highly coveted and not awarded every year. Additional data for years not listed are available online and were published in the 2019 I.B.M. 91st Annual Convention souvenir program.
+ The 2021 I.B.M. Convention was held virtually due to Covid concerns. Contests entries were selected from pre-recorded performance submissions.
Year | 1st Place Stage Adult | 1st Place Close-Up Adult | 1st Place Stage Youth | 1st Place Close-Up Youth | People's Choice Stage | People's Choice Close-Up | Gold Cups Award | Gold Medal Award |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Danny King | Farren Poage | Olivier Henning | Not Awarded | Olivier Henning | Jeffrey Wang | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
2022 | Artem Shchukin | Micheal Bloemeke | Anja Steyn | Anja Steyn | Artem Shchukin | Not Awarded | Not Awarded | Artem Shchukin |
2021+ | Ding Yang | Andy Deemer | Leonardo Panetti | Not Awarded | Ding Yang | Not Awarded | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
2019 [13] | Maysayo Sato | Josep Vidal | Colin Eleazer | Geno Ploeger | Maysayo Sato | Josep Vidal | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
2018 [14] | Red Star Seong | Erik Tait | Not Awarded | Not Awarded | Red Star Seong | Erik Tait | Not Awarded | Zhou-Zhou & Yuanyuan |
2017 [15] | Stuart MacDonald | Omar Ferret | Not Awarded | Not Awarded | Stuart MacDonald | Jim Vines | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
2016 [16] | Jordan K. | Jim Vines | Not Awarded | Not Awarded | Jordan K. | Jim Vines | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
2015 [17] | Chris Randall | Shin Lim | Daniel Hernandez | Jolie Dreiling | Hannah Kikuchi | Shin Lim | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
2014 [18] | Hun Lee | Michael Dardant | Not Awarded | Not Awarded | Hun Lee | Shin Lim | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
2013 [19] | Ming Ya Liu | Alberto Lorenzo | Eli Portala | Drake Stanton | Ming Ya Liu | Alberto Lorenzo | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
2012 [20] | Jean Paul Olhaberry | Michael Dardant | Sebastian Zara Guarano | Not Awarded | Jean Paul Olhaberry | Michael Dardant | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
2011 [21] | Won Kuen Ha | Shin Lim | Reuben Moreland | Reuben Moreland | Won Keun Ha | Shin Lim | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
2010 [22] | Jason Andrews | Ben Jackson | Yang Yang | John Accardo | Jason Andrews | Johan Stahl | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
2009 [23] | Richard Forget | David Pietras | David Mlakar | Micah Johnson | Jei Min and Hanna | Info Not Available | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
Tony Slydini, simply known as Slydini, was a world-renowned magician. His mastery, expertise, originality and innovative approach to close-up artistry magic, earned him a legendary reputation in the magic world. He traveled the world performing for the public as well as performing and lecturing fellow magicians. As a result, he served as an inspiration to generations of well-known magicians, celebrities and entertainers, including Doug Henning, Dick Cavett, Bill Bixby, Ricky Jay, David Copperfield and countless others. Although he was best known as a master of close-up artistry, he continually demonstrated an extraordinary performing ability and during his lifetime was responsible for a long series of books, films and publications highlighting his mastery of the magical crafts. For his work, he received the highest honors that his profession could bestow, including both the coveted Masters Fellowship Award and Performing Fellowship Award from the Academy of Magical Arts. During his lifetime, Tony Slydini was inducted into the Society of American Magicians Hall of Fame as a Living Legend.
The Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. Its purpose is "to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of magic." To promote these endeavors the S.A.M. presents awards and fellowships in recognition of outstanding achievement in the Art of Magic.
The International Federation of Magic Societies (FISM) (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques) was founded on September 5th,1948 and is one of the most respected organizations in the magic community. It is an international body coordinating dozens of national and international clubs and federations around the world. Together these clubs represent approximately 80,000 magicians from 50 countries and 110 member organizations as of 2022. The organization hosts a self-named "FISM" conference every three years, where magicians compete for "Best of" categories. The most recent FISM was in 2022, held in Quebec City, Canada. Founded in 1948, it is one of the most recognized magic organizations in the magic circle. The FISM organizes a worldwide magic convention every three years. The member organizations fight for the right to host. Top magicians from all over the world will compete for the title of "World Magic Champion". Prior to this, various regions will hold regional selections. FISM Europe, FISM Asia, FISM North America, FISM Latin America, FISM Africa, FISM Oceania, and member organizations have the quotas recommended by their regional selection committees.
A magic convention is a gathering of professional magicians, magical hobbyists, dealers, collectors of magical apparatus, books and ephemera, and other students of the art of magic. It provides a place for lectures of subjects related to the craft, as well as a series of sample performances of noted or innovative techniques. Many conventions also hold competitions to judge who excels at a particular style, and present awards in various categories such as sleight of hand, card tricks, mentalism, and stage illusions. The largest magic convention is The Blackpool Magician's Convention which is attended by over 3,500 magicians.
Johnny Ace Palmer is an American close-up magician. He is famous within the worldwide magical community for his prodigious sleight-of-hand abilities.
Midwest Magic Jubilee is an annual magic convention held in Missouri.
Brian Rolè is an active international Maltese magician and illusionist. He was born on Malta's sister island Gozo in 1972 and became a full-time professional magician in 2000. Currently Brian is one of the most popular magicians in Malta due to his regular grand scale illusion shows and various television appearances. Usually he performs with his partner Lola Palmer under the stage name The Palmers. He is a full member of The Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of Magicians as well as the Malta Magician's Society IBM Ring 202 the International Society of Magicians and most recently in 2020 the Society of American Magicians.
The Linking Ring is a monthly print magic magazine published by the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) for its members since 1922. It is based in Bluffton, Ohio. In 2007, Samuel Patrick Smith, a magician, author and publisher based in Eustis, Florida, became executive editor of the magazine.
Henry Jeffery Atkins was a British magician. He is cited as a major force in the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) British Ring, for which he was honorary secretary and convention organizer for many years. He also served a term as international president of the IBM. As a performer he specialized in revivals or re-creations of antique magic. He made a number of appearances on national television in the United Kingdom. On one occasion he staged a revival of the Radium Girl illusion for the Paul Daniels Magic Show. He is commemorated through the Jeffery Atkins memorial lecture held at the annual convention of the British Ring of the IBM.
David Berglas is a British magician and mentalist of German-Jewish descent. His secret technique of locating a particular card within a pack has been described as the Holy Grail of card magic. He was one of the first magicians to appear on UK television.
Duane Laflin is an American magician, teacher and innovator. He initially marketed and sold his props, effects and accessories within his company, Laflin Magic but eventually closed his mail-order business to focus strictly on performing and lecturing. Ownership and rights to his props were eventually transferred to his daughter's company, Lock Family Magic. He is a former president of The International Fellowship of Christian Magicians. He is a sought-after lecturer among magic clubs throughout the U.S.
Alan Scott Watson is a professional magician living and performing in Auckland, New Zealand. He has been performing professionally for more than 30 years and has been presented with some of magic's highest awards and accolades.
Herbert Gershen Zarrow was an American magician influential in the profession for his inventions of unique sleight of hand and card tricks. The inventor of the Zarrow shuffle, his skills were held in the highest regard in professional magicians' circles.
Stewart Judah began a career in magic in 1920. By 1938 he was selected as one of the 10 best living card magicians.
John Ramsay was a Scottish magician. He has been described, by Alex Proctor, former President of the Scottish Conjurers' Association, as a "magician's magician, who loved to trick fellow conjurers".
Aldo Colombini was an Italian-born magician, lecturer, author and media producer. At the time of his death he was married to Rachel Colombini, also a magician. Rachel died circa 2018, after rumors of her death circulated on the internet in 2017. When he first moved to the United States in 1993, he spoke no English. He created and marketed hundreds of magic tricks, along with numerous books and instructional videos on the topic of magic. He wrote a long-running column for The Linking Ring magazine, entitled, "As Always, Aldo".
Harold Randolph Rice was an American educator and magic dealer.
Donald E. Wiberg is a professional magician. He was born in Chicago, Illinois where he spent most of his life. He was the 46th President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He has served approximately 20 terms as International Secretary of the IBM.
Al Cohen was the owner, and a well-known demonstrator of magic tricks, at Al's Magic Shop in Washington, D.C.
The Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc (BAM) is a New Zealand-based non-for-profit organisation and magic club. It was founded in 1946.