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Al Cohen: Difference between revisions

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'''Al Cohen''' (b.1926) was owner and demonstrator of [[Al's Magic Shop]] (now closed) in Washington D.C.
'''Al Cohen''' (b.1926) was owner and demonstrator of [[Al's Magic Shop]] (now closed) in Washington D.C.


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
Al began working as a young man at his father's gift shop, "The Oriental Bazaar", in Washington D.C. which sold gifts and novelties, in 1936. He continued to work in the shop while attending college (first to get a degree in Entomology and then accounting), when they added some magic tricks from [[S.S. Adams Company]]. This led to magic talking hold of Al and the store which would eventually evolve into Al's Magic Shop.


As a performer, Al has played the White House, early Washington TV, birthday
===Early life===
parties, and Blue-Gold banquets.  
In 1936 at age 10, Al began working at his father's gift shop, "The Oriental Bazaar", in Washington D.C., which sold gifts and novelties. He continued to work in the shop even while attending college (first to get a degree in Entomology, and then Accounting).  When the shop added some magic tricks from [[S.S. Adams Company]] to their inventory, this led to magic taking a hold on Al, and on the store as well --- which would eventually evolve into Al's Magic Shop.
 
===Career in Magic===
 
As a performer, Al has played many venues, including among others, the White House, early Washington TV, birthday
parties, magic conventions, and Blue-Gold Banquets.  


Al became a very successful demonstrator for his store and become a favorite at conventions where he would often appear in the guise of Pernell Zorch.  
Al soon became a very successful demonstrator for his store, and a favorite at conventions, where he would often appear in the guise of Pernell Zorch.  


He created many effects of his own to sell including:
He created many effects of his own to sell, including:
* A [[Professor's Nightmare]] handling with [[Ed Mishell]] called  "Rope-A-Rama."  
* A [[Professor's Nightmare]] handling with [[Ed Mishell]] called  "Rope-A-Rama."  
* [[The Mark]] manufactured by Sterling Magic.  
* [[The Mark]] manufactured by Sterling Magic.


After the shop closed in 2004, Al started a periodic column, "Memoirs", in Genii.
===Retirement===
After the shop closed in 2004, Al started writing a periodic column, "Memoirs", for ''Genii''.


Outside of magic, Al's interests include photography and travel.
Outside of magic, Al's interests include photography and travel.

Revision as of 11:46, 15 July 2015

Al Cohen

Cover of Genii (2002)
BornAlfred Lee Cohen
January 11, 1926
Wilmington. Delaware

Known forMagic Dealer/Performer,
Magic Demonstrator,
"Parnell Zorch"

Al Cohen (b.1926) was owner and demonstrator of Al's Magic Shop (now closed) in Washington D.C.

Biography

Early life

In 1936 at age 10, Al began working at his father's gift shop, "The Oriental Bazaar", in Washington D.C., which sold gifts and novelties. He continued to work in the shop even while attending college (first to get a degree in Entomology, and then Accounting). When the shop added some magic tricks from S.S. Adams Company to their inventory, this led to magic taking a hold on Al, and on the store as well --- which would eventually evolve into Al's Magic Shop.

Career in Magic

As a performer, Al has played many venues, including among others, the White House, early Washington TV, birthday parties, magic conventions, and Blue-Gold Banquets.

Al soon became a very successful demonstrator for his store, and a favorite at conventions, where he would often appear in the guise of Pernell Zorch.

He created many effects of his own to sell, including:

Retirement

After the shop closed in 2004, Al started writing a periodic column, "Memoirs", for Genii.

Outside of magic, Al's interests include photography and travel.

References

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Such material requires a high degree of sensitivity,
and must adhere strictly to all applicable laws in the United States.
See MagicPedia:Biographies_of_living_persons for more information.