The Billet Article - Letter to The Editor

This article is taken from The Billet Issue - 429 - Dec 2007, Authored by Ian Adair

Letter to The Editor

Dear Keith

As a non member of the society, but an honoured subscriber to The Billet for some years now, may I sincerely congratulate you on your long and valuable work as the editor. Editing a magazine of this size for such a time is a magical feat on its own.

Secondly, may I respond to Mark Leveridge’s Chatter column which is always of interest.

Mark mentions Harry Stanley and his Unique Magic Studio and the wonderful lectures he brought to our country, way back in the 1960’s. Not only London, as Mark stated, bit to various venues, and one in particular that I attended several times – Glasgow.

He asks if any readers saw Al Goshman, Dai Vernon and Cy Endfield live. The answer is yes; thanks to Stanley. We mustn’t forget that Slydini too was invited over to lecture in Britain way back in the sixties.

Mark assumes that Stanley didn’t have much trouble in enticing people to attend and part with their money. He’s right. At every lecture event I attended then the rooms were jam packed. Stanley hired a hotel room in one of Glasgow’s hotels. Never did he imagine that there would be standing room only; and that he would have to apologise for not hiring a larger room.

Of course, way back in the 1960’s, it was an event when a properly printed and bound volume was published. Such books as Dai Vernon, Slydini & Cy Endfield, carefully compiled and written by Lewis Ganson are still best sellers today, many having been reprinted repeatedly.

I for one had the great opportunity to not only see these great legends perform and lecture, but the chance to meet and talk with them.

May I convey the kindest regards to all members.

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