International Brotherhood of Magicians

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This article is about a fraternal organization of magicians. For other uses of the acronym IBM, please see IBM (disambiguation).

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. Louis, 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.

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[edit] Organization

Each international territory has a Territorial Vice President, who coordinates with the various Rings in that country, and the Territorial Vice Presidents in other countries.

The IBM publishes a monthly magazine called The Linking Ring in recognition of the world famous trick, the Linking Rings. In the magazine there are some tricks explained, stories covering shows and events in the magic community and an interview with a magician who is either independently famous, or otherwise being awarded or recognized by the organization.

The IBM also holds an annual convention, usually in June or July.

[edit] Membership

Both amateur and professional magicians are eligible to join the IBM. The group also includes those who collect magic apparatus and effects.

Active members must be at least 18 years old. Youth members must be 10-18 years of age. Members must have had an interest in magic--for at least two years for active members, or one year for youth members. Membership requires the endorsement of two active members, and a pledge to uphold the code of ethics.

[edit] History

The organization was founded February 10, 1922[1] in Winnipeg, Manitoba by Len Vintus (stage name of Melvin Justus Given McMullen) of Winnipeg, Manitoba,[2][3] Gene Gordon (true name Gordon Avery) of Buffalo, New York, and--latterly--Don Rogers (true name Ernest Schieldge) after the three men exchanged letters about magic. Unlike earlier magic clubs--the Society of American Magicians (SAM) in the USA and The Magic Circle in England--the IBM was begun by magicians living outside the major cities, who were unable to attend magic club meetings, and who kept in contact by post.[4]

Gene Gordon established the first local group organized under the IBM's auspices: Ring 1 in Rochester, New York. This ring did not last.[5] Although Rochester currently has a ring (Ring 4), St. Louis, Missouri is now the location of Ring 1.[6]

Although the SAM and the Magic Circle had held banquets as early as 1905, the IBM was the first to hold a magic convention--in Kenton, Ohio on June 9-10, 1926.[7]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ The IBM. Retrieved on 2006-04-11.
  2. ^ Posgate, Bruce. Magic. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Foundation of Canada. Retrieved on 2006-04-11.
  3. ^ MagicTimes News Archives Volume 18, Issue 538 (1999). Retrieved on 2006-04-11.
  4. ^ Maven, Max. A History of FISM. Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques. Retrieved on 2006-04-17.
  5. ^ Burden, Mindy. IBM--A History. Retrieved on 2006-04-11.
  6. ^ Local Rings: United States. International Brotherhood of Magicians. Retrieved on 2006-04-11.
  7. ^ Maven, Max. A History of FISM. Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques. Retrieved on 2006-04-17.

[edit] External links

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