International Brotherhood of Magicians
Encyclopedia
International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) is the world's largest organization for professional and amateur magicians
, with approximately 15,000 members worldwide. The headquarters is in St. Charles, Missouri, and there are over 300 local groups, called Rings, in more than 30 countries, largely concentrated in cities of the United States
and Canada
, though members of the international organization represent at least 80 different countries. The organization publishes a monthly periodical entitled The Linking Ring
, which features tricks, coverage of shows and events in the magic community, and interviews with magicians.
(SAM) in the USA and The Magic Circle
in England, the I.B.M. was begun by magicians living outside the major cities, who were unable to attend magic club meetings, and who kept in contact by post.
Gene Gordon established the first local group, Ring 1, in Rochester, New York. The original Ring 1 eventually disbanded, and St. Louis, Missouri later assumed the vacated title of Ring 1, which it continues to hold today. Since then, a new club, Ring 4, formed in Rochester.
The IBM holds an annual convention, usually in June or July. Although the SAM and the Magic Circle held banquets as early as 1905, the I.B.M. was the first to hold a magic convention
, in Kenton, Ohio on June 9–10, 1926. The 66th annual convention was held in Orlando, Florida.
List of Rings:
Ring 1 - based in St. Louis, Missourri (originally based in Rochester, New York)
Ring 266 - based in Tyler, Texas
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
, with approximately 15,000 members worldwide. The headquarters is in St. Charles, Missouri, and there are over 300 local groups, called Rings, in more than 30 countries, largely concentrated in cities of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, though members of the international organization represent at least 80 different countries. The organization publishes a monthly periodical entitled The Linking Ring
The Linking Ring
The Linking Ring is a monthly print magazine, published by the International Brotherhood of Magicians. It is also available in electronic form to members of the IBM. All members of the IBM are entitled to receive this periodical. It was first published in 1923...
, which features tricks, coverage of shows and events in the magic community, and interviews with magicians.
History
The organization was founded February 10, 1922 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by Len Vintus (stage name of Melvin Justus Given McMullen) of Transcona, Manitoba, which would later amalgamate with Winnipeg. Gene Gordon (aka Gordon Avery) of Buffalo, New York, and Don Rogers (aka Ernest Schieldge). Unlike earlier magic clubs, such as the Society of American MagiciansSociety 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...
(SAM) in the USA and The Magic Circle
The Magic Circle
The Magic Circle is a British organisation, founded in London in 1905, dedicated to promoting and advancing the art of magic.- History :The Magic Circle was founded in 1905 after a meeting of 23 amateur and professional magicians at London's Pinoli's Restaurant...
in England, the I.B.M. was begun by magicians living outside the major cities, who were unable to attend magic club meetings, and who kept in contact by post.
Gene Gordon established the first local group, Ring 1, in Rochester, New York. The original Ring 1 eventually disbanded, and St. Louis, Missouri later assumed the vacated title of Ring 1, which it continues to hold today. Since then, a new club, Ring 4, formed in Rochester.
The IBM holds an annual convention, usually in June or July. Although the SAM and the Magic Circle held banquets as early as 1905, the I.B.M. was the first to hold a magic convention
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...
, in Kenton, Ohio on June 9–10, 1926. The 66th annual convention was held in Orlando, Florida.
Organization
Each international territory has a Territorial Vice President who coordinates with the Rings in that country and other Territorial Vice Presidents.Rings
The International Brotherhood of Magicians has a number of local clubs, located throughout the world, known as Rings. Each ring was originally numbered in sequence, based on when it received its charter from the I.B.M. Since then, some clubs have dissolved, and newer clubs have assumed some of the vacated ring numbers.List of Rings:
Ring 1 - based in St. Louis, Missourri (originally based in Rochester, New York)
Ring 266 - based in Tyler, Texas
Membership
Membership is open to amateur and professional magicians, as well as those who collect magic apparatus and effects. Active members must be at least 18 years old, and youth members must be 7–17 years of age. Active members must have had an interest in magic for at least two years, or one year for youth members. Membership requires the endorsement of two active members, and a pledge to uphold the code of ethics.External links
- International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) - official site