The September 2012 issue of The Linking Ring marks the 90th anniversary of the oldest and largest circulation magic magazine in the world. As the official publication of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.), the magazine has been reporting all-things magic -- news, features, photos, columns, obituaries, advertisements, reviews, etc. -- for over nine decades. I.B.M. members can access the magazine via PDF and digital versions, as well as receive the traditional hard copy by regular mail. This issue is the first of several which will commemorate this historical and significant event. The cover features whole and parts of forty-one covers; inside are even more. At 180 pages, this is one of the largest issues in some time.
Editor Samuel Patrick Smith begins the celebration of the 90th anniversary of The Linking Ring by bringing to us Part One on the magazine’s history. Included are eighteen photos of covers, people and places associated with the magazine’s illustrious history.
In addition to the cover and cover story, this special issue features congratulatory advertisements throughout, as well as mentions in several columns, including those by the editor and the I.B.M. president.
Coverage continues of the I.B.M. Convention held in July in Norfolk, Virginia, with reviews of lectures, and reports on the Order of Merlin Breakfast and the 2012 Linking Ring Awards. Enhancing all of these are twenty-two photos, including the convention photos by official photographer Michael Messing, and group photos of the Order of Merlin awardees who attended.
And before the memories even start to fade on the 2012 I.B.M. convention, promotion of the 2013 I.B.M. convention in Phoenix, Arizona, has begun. Calendars for 2013 have started to arrive in our mailboxes, so mark the dates now. BE AWARE that the 2013 I.B.M. convention will NOT be around or even near the July 4 holiday next year -- as it has for many years. The dates are July 17-20, 2013. Don’t be surprised later, as you begin planning your vacation next year.
Arizona (“It’s a DRY heat”) is a beautiful location for the I.B.M. convention, including the entire state. Plan now to spend several days before and/or after the convention visiting such places as the intriguing Sedona area, north of Phoenix. I.B.M. past president Mike Stratman shares a couple of his own photos taken in and near Sedona. They’ll help you decide to register now for the convention. Remember, the earlier you register, the better your seats will be for the shows.
Prolific writer Dr. Dale Salwak has done it again. This time he brings to us the fascinating life of Bob Spencer, of Scottsville, Virginia. Read about the sixty-five-year magic career of one of those venerable characters who has been making people smile for longer than the majority of us have even been alive. One of the best things The Linking Ring has done over its nine decades has been to help preserve the history of magic and magicians. This is a good example of that.
Another good example of preserving magic history in The Linking Ring, is MEMORIES OF THE BLACKSTONE CAST. And who better to write it than Adele Friel Rhindress, a member of his cast herself? Included are many never-before-published photographs!
The always-popular RING EVENTS brings us extensive reports on special happenings at eight rings this month: Ring 22, Detroit; Ring 41, Milwaukee; Ring 50, Washington, D.C.; Ring 78, The Netherlands; Ring 115, Singapore; Ring 211, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ring 257, Las Vegas; and Ring 291, Palm Desert, California. Read these to get ideas for lecturers, banquets, special events, benevolent activities, etc.
Don Wiberg wrote a short Remembering DORNY article, saluting Werner Dornfield. And speaking of remembering, a complete list of obituaries which appeared in the Broken Wand in The Linking Ring, June 2011 through June 2012, is included in this issue.
One of the most popular sections of every issue of The Linking Ring over its history has been the HOCUS POCUS PARADE. This month is a triple-header. First, veteran Paul Hallas’ One Man Parade provides readers with eight effects that many will perform in their own shows! Then Cliff Harden brings us a Mini-Parade, adding another seven effects. Finally, Vanni Pule gives us a Parade Bonus. That’s SIXTEEN effects in all! Surely you can find one or more you can adopt and adapt.
The Linking Ring has been famous for its COLUMNS for nine decades, written by veteran magicians who not only know their stuff, but who are willing to share it with the rest of us. Here are sentence-summaries of those from this month.
Mike Power's CARD CORNER features JACK THIS ACE by Trini Montes. It’s a beautiful transposition effect!
WAYS AND MEANS by Joe M. Turner presents a super-cool mentalism effect by Paul Lelekis. This was first created by Al Baker – but Paul’s is completely impromptu and can use a borrowed deck!
Peter Marucci's SHOWTIME presents a powerful effect called YOUR CARD which is easy to do and has a nice twist!
STORYTELLING MAGIC by Ed Solomon provides readers with The Lizard’s Blessing, based on a Guatemalan folk legend! Again Ed’s wonderful narrative and patter, provides a story-telling saga that many will love to include!
In CUTTING UP JACKPOTS by Bev Bergeron, this month he gives us his list of Magic Masters in “The Kings of Magic.”
Skip Way continues to inspire us to work with youth magicians in his POLISHING THE RINGS, advising us to “Act well your part” as mentors.
In his column THE KID SHOW CIRCUIT, Marty Hahne brings us part one of his thoughts on Library Shows.
Scott Humston continues his BUSINESS OF THE SHOW, revealing a valuable list of “Your best resources,” with places to get such things as printing, backdrops, audio, e-mail, DVDs, etc. Copy this list and keep it handy.
Peter Scarlett resumes his report on Ring 25, the largest I.B.M. Ring, in his monthly column, THE LONDON EYES, from Great Britain.
The Linking Ring has a team of experts who review many new items of magic so that the magicians of the world may purchase more wisely! This month HOCUS IN FOCUS brings us reviews on thirteen books, tricks, and DVDs.
This issue includes the BROKEN WAND (eight obituaries this month), and RING REPORTS (seventy-five); a list of all Ring Locations;the monthly Sick and Convalescent list, and other features in its whopping 180 pages.
ADVERTISERS! -- your products will enjoy unsurpassed worldwide promotion in The Linking Ring. Because the I.B.M. is the world’s largest magic organization, the cost-per-reader for advertising is the lowest of all magic publications. And when you add the exposure for your products on the I.B.M. Web Portal, you get more bang for your advertising and promotion bucks than anywhere else in the world! No brag, just fact! (Well, maybe just a LITTLE brag!)
For details about advertising in The Linking Ring, contact BJ Hickman at advertising@magician.org.
Whew! Now THAT'S a lot of CONTENT! Month-after-month -- for over NINETY YEARS now -- The Linking Ring has served the magic community splendidly and professionally! Join us as we continue on this magical journey.
