Dan Trommater - Newsletter Archive - A little magic history

Thinking Like a Magician

"A little magic history" - August 2008

The tiny village of Colon, Michigan is the home of 1,227 residents, including a sizable Amish community, and is the Magic Capitol of the World. It seems odd that such a small town can make such a claim, but it's very true. In 1925 legendary magician Harry Blackstone moved his operations to Colon and spent every summer thereafter preparing the show with which he toured with world. Not long after that, Blackstone partnered up with his Australian friend Percy Abbott to form a magic apparatus company. With sales in a slump during the depression, Blackstone and Abbott held an open house (complete with a two-hour show) in hopes of drawing a crowd of magicians (who, not coincidentally, were the target market for the magic company.) They garnered $88 in sales, making it a financial success and, more importantly for the world of magic, they started an annual tradition of the Abbott's Magic Get-Together. Since then, Colon has hosted 70 more gatherings of magicians from all across the globe. For one weekend every summer, the sleepy community becomes host to hundreds of magicians. The list of performers over the years reads like a who's-who of the history of magic: Lance Burton, David Copperfield, Jeff McBride, Mark Wilson, Jay Marshall, Harry Blackstone (both Sr. and Jr.) and countless others have all graced the stage at the Colon high school gymnasium.

An Abbott's Get-Together is a strange and special event. It's not just anywhere that you can see yard-sales of ancient magic props, kids flinging playing cards over downtown businesses and grown men walking invisible dogs. I have a special place in my heart for this odd little gathering of magicians and if you ever get a chance to attend, I highly recommend that you visit Colon, Michigan - The Magic Capital of the World!

Trick of the Month - A modern classic

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."
- Roald Dahl

Bonus video of Percy Abbott performing at the Abbott's factory in the 50s.

If you haven't already signed up for Dan's monthly newsletter "Thinking Like a Magician", please do so here. And please forward this to all your friends and associates who might enjoy it. Music in this month's video by Kevin MacLeod.

You can see the archive of past issues of Thinking Like A Magician here www.trommater.com/totmarchive



		Thinking Like a Magician "A little magic history" - August 2008 The tiny village of Colon, Michigan is the home of 1,227 residents, including a sizable Amish community, and is the Magic Capitol of the World. It seems odd that such a small town can make such a claim, but it's very true. In 1925 legendary magician Harry Blackstone moved his operations to Colon and spent every summer thereafter preparing the show with which he toured with world. Not long after that, Blackstone partnered up with his Australian friend Percy Abbott to form a magic apparatus company. With sales in a slump during the depression, Blackstone and Abbott held an open house (complete with a two-hour show) in hopes of drawing a crowd of magicians (who, not coincidentally, were the target market for the magic company.) They garnered $88 in sales, making it a financial success and, more importantly for the world of magic, they started an annual tradition of the Abbott's Magic Get-Together. Since then, Colon has hosted 70 more gatherings of magicians from all across the globe. For one weekend every summer, the sleepy community becomes host to hundreds of magicians. The list of performers over the years reads like a who's-who of the history of magic: Lance Burton, David Copperfield, Jeff McBride, Mark Wilson, Jay Marshall, Harry Blackstone (both Sr. and Jr.) and countless others have all graced the stage at the Colon high school gymnasium. An Abbott's Get-Together is a strange and special event. It's not just anywhere that you can see yard-sales of ancient magic props, kids flinging playing cards over downtown businesses and grown men walking invisible dogs. I have a special place in my heart for this odd little gathering of magicians and if you ever get a chance to attend, I highly recommend that you visit Colon, Michigan - The Magic Capital of the World! Trick of the Month - A modern classic "And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." - Roald Dahl Bonus video of Percy Abbott performing at the Abbott's factory in the 50s. If you haven't already signed up for Dan's monthly newsletter "Thinking Like a Magician", please do so here. And please forward this to all your friends and associates who might enjoy it. Music in this month's video by Kevin MacLeod. You can see the archive of past issues of Thinking Like A Magician here www.trommater.com/totmarchive