Al Cohen

Al Cohen (b. January 11, 1928), born in Wilmington. Delaware, was owner and demonstrator of Al's Magic Shop (now closed) in Washington D.C.

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 parties, 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.

He created many effects of his own to sell including:

• A Professor's Nightmare handling with Ed Mishell called "Rope-A-Rama."
• The Mark manufactured by Sterling Magic.

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

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

References

• Linking Ring, February, 1985 (cover)
• Genii, March 2002 (cover)

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