Magic Shop Visitors

My Dad always liked the idea of owning his own magic shop. In the 1960s, he leased office space in the building across the street from Joe Bergs and Hollywood Magic. Up in the fourth or fifth floor, he had a shop that was by appointment only. He did not cater to walk in or tourists. He was interested in working with and talking to professionals. A magic shop had always been like a clubhouse to him. It was where people interested in the same thing could find each other and engage in conversation, business and demonstration all at once. Because he had a large collection of props, many of which were valuable and one of a kind, he also liked to show off a little.

For five or six years, from about 1982 to 1988, he occupied a warehouse in Alhambra that was formerly a garage in the 1930s and 40s, but had been the home of Owen Brothers Magic Manufacturing Company in the 50s and 60s. After Les Smith moved the Owen Company to Azusa, the warehouse was occupied for a short time by a magician whose name i remember as being Carl Beck. He actually kept a black panther that he used in his act in one of the old service pits below the floor level. My Dad managed to get the lease when he left and set up his own manufacturing business there. He also created a foyer area that he used as a magic shop meeting area. Many of his friends would come and spend hours hanging out there exchanging stories and ideas. One of the magicians he knew was being sponsored in part by a well know sports figure. He and his sponsor came and spent the day at my Dad's place. In the picture below you will see the young magician, Lou Lancaster who was a close friend of my Dad, The Greatest Himself, and my little brother Kirk.

Just as an addendum, you can tell my Dad was a pretty good photographer, he took the first picture which is really nice, but the shot he is in, part of his head is cut off.