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Richard J. Kaufman | |
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 Kaufman in 2017 | |
| Born | May 16, 1958 New York City, United States |
| Occupation | Writer, illustrator, publisher, magician |
| Alma mater | Queens College New York University |
| Genre | Magic |
| Website | |
| richardkaufman | |
Richard J. Kaufman (born May 16, 1958) is an author, publisher, illustrator, and editor of books and magazines in the field of magic and amateur magicians of noted skill.
Richard Kaufman was born in 1958 at French Hospital in New York City. He became interested in magic at age 5 after his uncle, Alan Soffin, sent him some novelties from the S.S. Adams Company. His father, Lewis C. Kaufman, encouraged his interest by purchasing tricks at a magic shop, learning them, and teaching them to his son. [1]
By the age of 14, Kaufman was inventing magic effects He marketed his first two tricks through Lou Tannen’s Magic Shop at age 15 and he illustrated his first book for Harry Lorayne, Afterthoughts (1975) [2] at age 16. He attended Queens College, and then New York University, graduating in 1981 with a double major in English and acting, having studied at the Stella Adler Studio in New York City with Pearl Pearson and Mario Siletti. [3]
Kaufman illustrated many books in the field through 1994, popularizing a style of cartoon-based movement into technical magic illustration. He also began writing magic books, starting with the Interlocked Production of Coins in 1977. He self-published his first two books, then sought a partner for the financing required to publish larger books. Alan C. Greenberg, CEO of Bear Stearns, also a highly respected amateur magician, brought the financing that Kaufman required and the company Kaufman and Greenberg was formed as a result.
In 1998, Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine was purchased by Kaufman, his wife Elizabeth, and partners Jane and Daniel Solomon. Kaufman became editor in chief and president of The Genii Corporation and the magazine continues its publication, now in both printed and digital formats. Genii also operates The Genii Forum [4] an internet discussion group and MagicPedia, [5] an online encyclopedia of magic. The magazine and its associated entities was sold to Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software in July 2017. Richard and Elizabeth Kaufman continue as Editor and Art Director. [3]
For the public, Kaufman wrote The Project Magic Handbook (2002) for David Copperfield; the trick section in Mindfreaks(2007) for Criss Angel and Knack Magic Tricks for Globe Pequot Press (2010). [3]
Recognition of Kaufman's influence as a magic illustrator is described in Chuck Romano's book, The Art of Deception (1997) ISBN 0-578-00752-5.
Kaufman has appeared on the covers of Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine (1987); Magic Magazine (1993); The Magic Circular (2006); M-U-M (2011) and has given presentations at numerous magic conferences including the Los Angeles Conference on Magic History, The Magic Collectors Association, The Magic Circle Collectors Day, and Magic-Con 2011. [6] He has received the 1997 Literary Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts (the Magic Castle), [7] the J.N. Maskelyne Award from the Magic Circle in London in 2001, [8] the Milbourne Christopher Award in 1995, The Allan Slaight Award for “Sharing Secrets” in both 2016 and 2019 [9] (the only person to have received the award twice), and the Special History, Research & Scholarship Award from FISM in 2022. [10] He has also been made an honorary life member of the Society of American Magicians and The Academy of Magical Arts at The Magic Castle, [3] a Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star at London’s Magic Circle, and has received a president's citation from the International Brotherhood of Magicians. [3] Kaufman wrote for the Pop Culture website Boing Boing through 2018. [11]
Edited by Richard Kaufman: [12]
Written, illustrated, and/or published by Richard Kaufman: [12]
Future books that Kaufman has announced:
Darwin Ortiz was a magician who was an authority on gambling and card manipulation.
Harry Lorayne was an American mnemonist, magician, and author who was called "The Yoda of Memory Training" and "The World's Foremost Memory-Training Specialist" by Time magazine. He was well known for his incredible memory demonstrations and appeared on numerous television shows–including 24 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. His book The Memory Book was a New York Times bestseller. His card magic, especially his innovations in card sleights, is widely emulated by amateur and professional magicians.
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