Howie Schwarzman
Encyclopedia
Howard Schwarzman is an American
magician, card manipulator, sleight of hand
expert, and trick inventor. Considered a "living legend" in the Eastern United States magician community,http://www.maesonline.org/conv2005.htm he is best-known as a columnist within the magician trade press, and an importer of very rare tricks from outside the United States.
, creator of the Linking Finger-Ring trick (which later became part of David Copperfield
's stage repertoire). Schwarzman was known for pulling pranks at Himber's request, such as impersonating mentalist Joseph Dunninger
. In 1962, Schwarzman began mentoring himself, working with the teenaged Denny Haney, who he booked to perform at the Society of American Magicians
.http://www.dennymagic.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?client=46666661&action=SERVE&item=article.html
Schwarzman was one of the charter members of The F.A.M.E. Club which in the 1941. FAME - Future American Magical Entertainers] the Future American Magical Entertainers
, a magic club created for young magicians in New York City
in the 1940s, under the tutelage of Professor Abe Hurwitz, father of Shari Lewis
, known as Peter Pan The Magic Man.
Schwarzman became a magic dealer in 1976 and specialized in rare imported tricks. He also wrote a popular column, "I've Said It Before", for Tannen’s Magic Manuscript Magazine.
He has been a member of the Parent Assembly Nr. 1 of the Society of American Magicians
for 45 years, and was named "Magician of the Year" in 2007. He is also a long time attendee at FFFF, "Fechter's Finger Flinging Frolic" a convention for close-up magicians held in upstate New York.
When Schwarzman first began to lecture magicians clubs in 1961, Dai Vernon
said of him, "In the last few years, you have certainly taken your place among the top flight card men in New York ... I think I'm familiar with the work of almost everyone interested in card handling, both professional and amateur, in this country. I unhesitatingly assert you can hold your own in the fastest company."http://liesofbrian.com/ARTICLES/howie.html
Schwarzman retired is 1993, but still attends many major magic conventions
and gives occasional lectures. He currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland, and also flies his own plane and can play over 2000 pop songs from the 20s, 30s, and 40s, on the piano.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
magician, card manipulator, sleight of hand
Sleight of hand
Sleight of hand, also known as prestidigitation or legerdemain, is the set of techniques used by a magician to manipulate objects such as cards and coins secretly....
expert, and trick inventor. Considered a "living legend" in the Eastern United States magician community,http://www.maesonline.org/conv2005.htm he is best-known as a columnist within the magician trade press, and an importer of very rare tricks from outside the United States.
Biography
In his youth, Schwarzman was considered a "red-headed prodigy", and was mentored by New York orchestra leader Richard HimberRichard Himber
Richard Himber was an American bandleader, composer, violinist, magician and practical joker.-Early life:He was born as Herbert Richard Imber in Newark, New Jersey to the owner of a chain of meat stores...
, creator of the Linking Finger-Ring trick (which later became part of David Copperfield
David Copperfield (illusionist)
David Copperfield is an Emmy Award-winning American illusionist, and was described by Forbes as the most commercially successful magician in history. Copperfield's network specials have been nominated for 38 Emmy Awards and won a total of 21 Emmys...
's stage repertoire). Schwarzman was known for pulling pranks at Himber's request, such as impersonating mentalist Joseph Dunninger
Joseph Dunninger
Joseph Dunninger , known as "The Amazing Dunninger" was one of the most famous and proficient mentalists of all time...
. In 1962, Schwarzman began mentoring himself, working with the teenaged Denny Haney, who he booked to perform at the Society of American Magicians
Society of American Magicians
The Society of American Magicians is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. Its purpose is "to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of...
.http://www.dennymagic.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?client=46666661&action=SERVE&item=article.html
Schwarzman was one of the charter members of The F.A.M.E. Club which in the 1941. FAME - Future American Magical Entertainers] the Future American Magical Entertainers
Future American Magical Entertainers
F.A.M.E. was a pioneering organization in the magic field, now defunct, for young people, that existed in New York City, USA. From the early 1940s it was called the Peter Pan Magic Club...
, a magic club created for young magicians in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in the 1940s, under the tutelage of Professor Abe Hurwitz, father of Shari Lewis
Shari Lewis
Shari Lewis was an American ventriloquist, puppeteer, and children's television show host, most popular during the 1960s and 1990s...
, known as Peter Pan The Magic Man.
Schwarzman became a magic dealer in 1976 and specialized in rare imported tricks. He also wrote a popular column, "I've Said It Before", for Tannen’s Magic Manuscript Magazine.
He has been a member of the Parent Assembly Nr. 1 of the Society of American Magicians
Society of American Magicians
The Society of American Magicians is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. Its purpose is "to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of...
for 45 years, and was named "Magician of the Year" in 2007. He is also a long time attendee at FFFF, "Fechter's Finger Flinging Frolic" a convention for close-up magicians held in upstate New York.
When Schwarzman first began to lecture magicians clubs in 1961, Dai Vernon
Dai Vernon
Dai Vernon , aka The Professor, was a Canadian magician. His expert sleight-of-hand technique and extensive knowledge garnered him respect among fellow magicians. His influence was considerable in the magic world, and he was a mentor to numerous famous magicians...
said of him, "In the last few years, you have certainly taken your place among the top flight card men in New York ... I think I'm familiar with the work of almost everyone interested in card handling, both professional and amateur, in this country. I unhesitatingly assert you can hold your own in the fastest company."http://liesofbrian.com/ARTICLES/howie.html
Schwarzman retired is 1993, but still attends many major magic conventions
Magic conventions
Magic conventions are gatherings of professional magicians, magical hobbyists, dealers, collectors of magical apparatus, books and ephemera, and other students of the art of magic. They provide a place for lectures of subjects related to the craft, as well as a series of sample performances of...
and gives occasional lectures. He currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland, and also flies his own plane and can play over 2000 pop songs from the 20s, 30s, and 40s, on the piano.
Selected works
- Dynamic Deceptions: Close Up Magic by Howard Schwarzman (lecture notes)
- MUM Reprint of Howard Schwarzman's column "I've Said It Before" from May 2007 onwards