Stage Magic And Magicians

Not a very broad collection, following a strict definition for a "topical" collection, but done thematically, one which is near and dear to my heart.

US #3651 - Harry Houdini (2002) single and pane





US #3651v (as in vanished!) An easy trick, once the secret is revealed!


Gentle pressure with a gum eraser removes the ink.

Not just a plain old ordinary UX55 postal card. One of the last surviving First Day of Foolin' card, issued for the Grand Opening of Romig Magic and Book Company in 1971. This one is unused, I have a properly mailed one addressed to me in my grandfather's handwriting and I know of one other in a private collection of magic in California.

With the issuance of the Houdini stamp, I was able to create very special FDCs using a few of my grandfather's surviving publicity post cards.

In 1951, as a memorial at the 25th anniversary of Houdini's death, the International Brotherhood of Magicians had a Cinderella stamp issued. I had two of these in 2002, and used one to create a unique FDC on a 1950's IBM seal envelope.

The Second Annual IBM Convention in 1927 saw a set of promotional stamps issued. I have a "set" of four, all on different colored paper. I have heard that one exists on blue paper but I have never seen one.

white and yellow paper


green and orange paper

I also include advertising covers in my collection, preferably addressed to the shop address. One of my favorites, an oversized cover from Belgian manufacturer Mephisto-Huis, postmarked 24.4.78.

Bhutan

1989

60th aniversary of Mickey Mouse - 12v

Magicians are those that do magic.

So, here is Mickey Mouse as a wizard in animated movie Fantasy, from Walt Disney productions

Great Britain
15th March 2005
Centenary of Magic Circle

rubbing with a coin will reveal the head or tail of a coin (printed on alternate rows of sheet)

optical illusion

spotted scarf is printed in thermochromic ink which fades temporarily when exposed to heat

optical illusion

the centre fez is printed in thermochromic ink which fades temporarily when exposed to heat to reveal a pyramid

Great Britain
23rd April 1998
Comedians
Tommy Cooper - comedian but also a talented magician, even if he did sometimes reveal the secret of his tricks!

From Linn's Stamp News, Aug.21 2018, illusionist David Copperfield (who has appeared on a few stamps himself) revealed the US 2018 stamp issue "The Art of Magic":

https://www.linns.com/news/us-stamp...ication.html

France

1971

Famous Persons - 2v

The stamp remembers the 100 years of death of Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin (1805-1871), a French watchmaker, magician and illusionist, widely recognized as the father of the modern style of conjuring. He transformed magic from a pastime for the lower classes, seen at fairs, to an entertainment for the wealthy, which he offered in a theatre opened in Paris, a legacy preserved by the tradition of modern magicians to perform in tails. (wiki)

Hello.
In the Spanish forum you have a colleague, he also collects magic. His avatar is that 37 c Houdini stamp.
I gave him the FDC UK 2005 and he was very happy.
Regards.

India

2010

Personalities - 4v

The stamp honor the Indian magician Protul Chandra Sorcar (1913 – 1971). He was an internationally active magician throughout the 1950s and 1960s, performing his Indrajal show before live audiences and on television.

Russia, Soviet Union

1989

Moscow Circus - 5v

The stamp honors Emil Teodorovich Kio (1894 – 1965), a Soviet illusionist and magician. His sons, Igor Kio and Emil Kio, Jr., became famous Soviet magicians as well.



Emil Teodorovich Kio on stage

Monaco

2007

XXII Monte Carlo Magic Stars - 1v

The Magic Stars event, born in 1985 under the aegis of HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco , has become a flagship event recognized by all the great magic professionals around the world. Its purpose is to defend the Art of Magic and to make it better known to the general public. (wiki)

Monaco

1989

5es Grands Prix Magiques de Monte-Carlo