The standard edition of the book will always be available and with it' beautiful red with gold embossed cover, it is a perfect edition to any magic library.

If you are not familiar with the book, here are the details:

After seven years of research, the book is ready. 450 photos, 330 pages, stories you've never heard before. This coffee table book is filled with enchanting stories about the formation of the Society of American Magicians and the people who created it and kept it going.This is not a book of dry facts but rather entertaining stories about the purpose, the people, the legends, and the history of the magicians of America who wanted to promote the art of magic and keep its secrets safe.

Orders are now being taken for “Magic In America: The Story of The Society of American Magicians” by David Goodsell. Available in both Standard and Premium Editions, this one-of-a-kind publication is available exclusively at www.magicsam.com/historybook.

David Goodsell spent many years traveling to research libraries and museums to collect everything about the history of the Society. His meticulous research and complete writing formed this first-ever complete story of the Society of American Magicians. As David became ill, he called on his friend Theron M. Christensen to write some chapters. After David passed away, another David, David Charvet, took over the job of editing the massive manuscript. The results are historic, entertaining, surprising, and monumental.

The Premium Edition is leather-bound and limited to 250 hand-numbered copies and include a bevy of digital download bonuses.

The Standard Edition will include a special digital download bonus for S.A.M. Members.

Full details, preview pages, and more are available at www.magicsam.com/historybook.

Reminiscent with the old New York Magic Table, Parent Assembly 1 holds a get-together every Friday online in a Zoom Room.

Bring a sandwich and enjoy some friendly discussion and demonstrations of magic.

The sessions are Fridays at 1:00PM.  The Zoom Room is 859 8585 1304.

You’ve got money!”

Dear Compeers,

It is amazing that of our more than 6,000 members, no one has requested the Houdini Fund for financial assistance concerning a COVID-19 illness.

Over the years since Harry Houdini donated money to support ailing magicians, the fund has grown through the generosity of S.A.M members as well as their friends and families.  Years later, when mutual funds came on to the scene, the trustees invested the donations to grow the principal of the fund and to be able to provide a greater level of assistance.

Originally a Parent Assembly #1 Fund, the Houdini Fund was merged into the Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund in 1987 where it currently operates as a separate grant-making organization with its own trustees.

Today, there is a sizable amount of money to be given to magicians and to allied artists (clowns, face painters, ventriloquists, storytellers, jugglers and stilt walkers, etc.) who are in need of financial aid for medical assistance from illness or injury.  Dental funding assistance is even allowable!

These are grants, not loans, and all funds distributed are confidential. You do not have to be an S. A. M. Member to be eligible for aid.  While Medicare and medical insurance can primarily cover expenses, Houdini Fund grants can defray other extras such as co-pays and other out-of-pocket costs. Whether you need extra outpatient medication, wheelchairs or oxygen, you should contact us.

If you need extra help, and have fallen ill in the past year, please apply to us.  E-mail an outline of your condition plus a note from your doctor and/or a copy of the medial bill to HoudiniFund@MagicSAM.com or visit us at https://sammagicendowmentfund.org/houdini-fund

Yours in M-U-M,

Houdini Fund Trustees
Robert Kirkpatrick
Dr. Bruce Lish
George Schindler

NY YANKEES FOUNDATION DONATES $10,000 TO MEF


Honoring 78 year old blind subway magician  Olmedini  the New York Yankees Foundation donated  $10,000 to the S.A.M Magic Endowment Fund as part of their  2019 HOPE WEEK.

The money has been designated for Young Member programs.

Receiving check are  LEFT TO RIGHT: Nadine Zaritzky, Rob Kirkpatrick, George Schindler, Joel Zaritsky and Joe Devlin

Bronwyn Clare

After the presentation, attending  S A,M members. President David W. Bowers and wife Judy Bowers, National Secretary Marlene Clark, RVPs Steve Spence and Tom Gentile, Life member Chairman, Dan Sclare, Ethics committee Sara Crasson,  compeers David Steele, Dana Ring and Steve Wronker were taken on a tour  guided  by Lt. Bill Gleason, Chairman of the Heroism and Patriot Award committee.

National President David Bowers makes a presentation at the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

(Photos by Steve Wronker)

(L-R) Arlen Solomon, Joseph Devlin ,Eric Lampert, George Schindler, Dick Brookz, Dorothy Dietrich, Bruce Kalver, David Bowers, Tom Gentile,  Judy Bowers, Dan Sclare,  Marion Outerbridge, Richard Gilbert and Ted  Outerbridge,  (Photo by  Pat Colby)