Martinka
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Martinka & Company is America's oldest magic shop. The business was founded in 1877 by the Martinka brothers, Francis and Antonio.
In the back of their New York City store was a workshop where magic illusions were built for all of the famous magicians of the day. Customers included Alexander Herrmann, Harry Kellar, Howard Thurston and Houdini. The Martinka brothers also built the special effects for shows including the original production of The Wizard of Oz.
In 1902, the Society of American Magicians was founded in the backroom of Martinka's shop.
The business has had a string of famous owners including Charles Joseph Carter The Great (1917), Harry Houdini (1919) and Al Flosso, the Coney Island Fakir (1939). The company continues to supply magicians and collectors throughout the world with magic.
