The New England
Magic Collector's Association
By JACK WHITE

The New England Magic Collector's Association held their 12th annual Yankee Gathering, at West Borough, Massachusetts (November 13 - 15), attracting nearly 200 attendees for this year's lectures, exhibits and banquet.   Special honorees were Eddie and Amy Dawes, from Great Britain.   They are well known magic collectors, writers and historians.   Their life long work was given special tribute at this event that is held every other year in the New England area. (read more)

Speakers at this year's Yankee Gathering included Phil Schwartz, who talked about Floyd Thayer's Los Angeles home and magic studio known as Brookledge.  Ken Trombley, chose the subject of collecting magic ephemera, William Kalush, who is a most effective speaker dealt with the collecting of early magic books,  Bill Kuethe, discussed the business of collecting magic stories of the past, including some of his favorite stories. 

Yankee Gathering honoree Eddie Dawes talked about becoming a magic collector, its pit falls and great moments of achievement. His talk was autobiographical and gave the younger audience an overview of his long career in magic research. Richard Cohn, gave the audience a look at the magic acts and magicians that played Coney Island as well as a brief history of the famous amusement park.  James Hamilton, gave his listeners an interesting story about movie producer Jesse L. Lasky, the movies, music and magic.   It was Lasky who produced the early Houdini movie serial of the 1920's.  Margaret Steele, shared her research on the great Adelaide Herrmann's magic show and career.

Joan Lawton, talked about her late husband Don Lawton and his collection of magicians autographs that have been turned into a new book. Chris Woodward, discussed the magic shows at London's Palladium.  Closing out the lecture sessions was William V. Rauscher, with his fascinating story about Ghost Show operator and magician Bill Neff and his troubled life.

Bob Olson kept the collector's auction going for nearly four hours of non-stop magic bidding and sales that ranged from forgotten treasures of magic apparatus to posters and broadsides, books and some junk thrown in for good measure. A magic swap meet was held Saturday morning with the gala banquet held Saturday evening.

Sunday, many of the attendees went to Ray and Ann Goulet's magic shop in the Cambridge area of Boston.   Ray has been collecting for more than 30 years and has a most impressive collection of antique magic apparatus nicely displayed.  Having an opportunity to view his collection is a high point of this event. Still others went over to Beverly, Mass., to see a Sunday afternoon performance of the Le Grand David magic show at the Cabot Street Theater.   This is always a great way to top off this weekend of magic collecting and magic history.  Ray Ricard, president of the New England Magic Collector's Association is already hard at work planning the 2010 Yankee Gathering.  If you have an interest in magic history this is one event you want to add to your calendar.