Uploaded November 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
#magic #dansperry #oldschoolmagic #blackstone #magician
Support at the shop: dansperrystore.com
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OLD SCHOOL MAGIC - is a segment from my weekly Live Chat I do where I feature magicians from back in the day before things like social media etc that you perhaps have never heard of but have been big influences if not on me directly then for sure the art of magic and perhaps even entertainment in general.
This video's feature is BLACKSTONE JR! - I've been meaning to share this one from the beginning!
Harry Blackstone Jr., is regarded as one of the finest magicians in the country -- the leading exemplar of the formal tradition of grand illusion."
- Calvin Trillin in The New Yorker
No magician in history was more honored by his peers than Harry Blackstone Jr. In March 1994, he was named a recipient of the prestigious Masters Fellowship, presented by the Academy of Magical Arts and Sciences. He was named "Magician of the Year" in 1979 and 1985 by the Academy of Magical Arts, and was the "International Ambassador of Magic" for both the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magic at the time of his death in 1997. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the Hollywood Magic Castle, a distinction his wife, Gay still holds. Harry Jr. was also the recipient of the coveted "Star of Magic" an honor bestowed to only 11 other magicians in history, including his father. On June 11, 1994 Harry was made an honorary member of the International College of Surgeons. Since the College's founding in 1936, there have been only 14 other honorary members including only one other from the entertainment industry, Bob Hope.
Born in Colon, Michigan, "The Magic Capitol of the World," Harry's career in
magic began at the age of six months, appearing and disappearing in his
father's illusions. Under the master's watchful eye, young Harry grew up
learning the elements of his exacting craft. He continued to perform such
world-famous illusions as The Floating Light Bulb, The Vanishing Birdcage, The Dancing Handkerchief, and the frightening Buzzsaw, all of which he learned and perfected with his father's guidance and encouragement.
Far from satisfied with repeating the feats of his father, Harry developed
the art of magic into something both uniquely and arrestingly modern,
injecting not merely innovation, but transcending the stage barrier to
touch his audiences with a presentation which was not only reverent
of the past, but very much of the present, of the future and of his own
creation. As he put it, "What I am undertaking is the challenging, but
delightful task of bringing this magnificent art to even higher levels,
building on what has gone before, injecting a modern, innovative
presentation that is very much of the present, of the future and of my
own creation."
Blackstone Jr. also designed and inaugurated a line of four magic kits, "The Magic World of Blackstone" (manufactured by Pressman Toys), for beginners to advanced, which have become the largest-selling magic items in U.S. history. In 1990, an additional line of beginning, intermediate, and advanced magic items were released (by JAK-PAK INC.) both in the U. S. and overseas.
In 1990, Blackstone designed and produced magic illusions and special effects for the New Kids on the Block "Magic Summer Tour" and subsequent "No More Games Tour." Over three million new fans in 70 cities saw the magic of Blackstone for the first time. Harry's return to Broadway was in conjunction with "The Boys Choir of Harlem and Friends on Broadway." "This was a unique opportunity in every sense," said Blackstone.
_______________________________________________________
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/dansperry
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/dansperryofficial
HOME/BOOKING: dansperry.com
#magic #dansperry #oldschoolmagic #blackstone #magician
Support at the shop: dansperrystore.com
_______________________________________________________
OLD SCHOOL MAGIC - is a segment from my weekly Live Chat I do where I feature magicians from back in the day before things like social media etc that you perhaps have never heard of but have been big influences if not on me directly then for sure the art of magic and perhaps even entertainment in general.
This video's feature is BLACKSTONE JR! - I've been meaning to share this one from the beginning!
Harry Blackstone Jr., is regarded as one of the finest magicians in the country -- the leading exemplar of the formal tradition of grand illusion."
- Calvin Trillin in The New Yorker
No magician in history was more honored by his peers than Harry Blackstone Jr. In March 1994, he was named a recipient of the prestigious Masters Fellowship, presented by the Academy of Magical Arts and Sciences. He was named "Magician of the Year" in 1979 and 1985 by the Academy of Magical Arts, and was the "International Ambassador of Magic" for both the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magic at the time of his death in 1997. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the Hollywood Magic Castle, a distinction his wife, Gay still holds. Harry Jr. was also the recipient of the coveted "Star of Magic" an honor bestowed to only 11 other magicians in history, including his father. On June 11, 1994 Harry was made an honorary member of the International College of Surgeons. Since the College's founding in 1936, there have been only 14 other honorary members including only one other from the entertainment industry, Bob Hope.
Born in Colon, Michigan, "The Magic Capitol of the World," Harry's career in
magic began at the age of six months, appearing and disappearing in his
father's illusions. Under the master's watchful eye, young Harry grew up
learning the elements of his exacting craft. He continued to perform such
world-famous illusions as The Floating Light Bulb, The Vanishing Birdcage, The Dancing Handkerchief, and the frightening Buzzsaw, all of which he learned and perfected with his father's guidance and encouragement.
Far from satisfied with repeating the feats of his father, Harry developed
the art of magic into something both uniquely and arrestingly modern,
injecting not merely innovation, but transcending the stage barrier to
touch his audiences with a presentation which was not only reverent
of the past, but very much of the present, of the future and of his own
creation. As he put it, "What I am undertaking is the challenging, but
delightful task of bringing this magnificent art to even higher levels,
building on what has gone before, injecting a modern, innovative
presentation that is very much of the present, of the future and of my
own creation."
Blackstone Jr. also designed and inaugurated a line of four magic kits, "The Magic World of Blackstone" (manufactured by Pressman Toys), for beginners to advanced, which have become the largest-selling magic items in U.S. history. In 1990, an additional line of beginning, intermediate, and advanced magic items were released (by JAK-PAK INC.) both in the U. S. and overseas.
In 1990, Blackstone designed and produced magic illusions and special effects for the New Kids on the Block "Magic Summer Tour" and subsequent "No More Games Tour." Over three million new fans in 70 cities saw the magic of Blackstone for the first time. Harry's return to Broadway was in conjunction with "The Boys Choir of Harlem and Friends on Broadway." "This was a unique opportunity in every sense," said Blackstone.
_______________________________________________________
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/dansperry
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/dansperryofficial
HOME/BOOKING: dansperry.com
