Help us get to over 8,745 articles in 2024.

If you know of a magician not listed in MagicPedia, start a New Biography for them. Contact us at magicpediahelp@gmail.com

International Magicians Society

From Magicpedia, the free online encyclopedia for magicians by magicians.
Jump to: navigation, search

Tony Hassini founded the International Magicians Society in July of 1968 with the fundamental purpose of promoting and preserving the art of magic.

It is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as The World's Largest Magic Society with over 37,000 members worldwide.

The Sorceror's Notebook is it's official online magazine.

Every three years, the Society hosts a banquet dinner, where those magicians who have achieved the highest level in their craft are awarded the Merlin Award. They also present the Merlin Awards periodically to special magicians in their own show followed with a press party.

Merlin Awards

See also: IBM's Order of Merlin Award (for 25 years of continuous service).

1996

  • Tony Clark "Best Magician of the Year"[1]

1998

  • The Hamners for best manipulation [2]
  • Melinda for International Magician of the Year [2]
  • Juan Mayoral Most innovative Magic
  • Joe Labero Illusionist of the Year
  • Silvan
  • P C Sorcar
  • Juliana Chen
  • David & Dania

1999

  • Antonio Casanova for Most Original [3]
  • The 1999 Merlin Award Presented at the IMS annual banquet dinner on March 1 in Las Vegas[4]:
    • David Mendoza for Illusion Designer and Builder
    • Stephen Zadrick for Executive Producer of the Year
    • Channing Pollock for Outstanding Contribution to Magic
    • Gary Ouellet for Lifetime Achievement and for Television Producer of the Decade;
    • Stan Allen for Outstanding Literary Contribution
    • William McIlhany for Magic Historian
    • Kirby VanBurch for Magician of the Year
    • Pam Thompson, Gay Blackstone for Preserving the Art of Magic from Generation to Generation
    • Andre Kole for Magic Inventor.
    • Great Tomsoni & Company for the Comedy Magician of the Year.
  • Franz Harary for "The Most Original Magician"[5]
  • Devlin for the Most Outstanding Magician (or 1998 as stated in MUM)[6]
  • Bernie Yuman for Show Business Executive of the Decade [7]
  • Kenneth Feld for Producer of the Decade [7]
  • Jay Marshall for Lifetime Achievement Award[7]
  • Steve Wyrick for Magician of the Year[7]
  • Rene Lavand
  • Lennart Green
  • Marshall Brodien
  • Don Wayne
  • Charles Reynolds
  • Rocco
  • Jeff McBride

2000

  • Siegfried & Roy for "Magicians of the Century"[8]
  • Bill Malone for "Close-Up Magician of the Year 2000" [7]
  • Eric Buss for Cabaret Magician of the Year 2000 [9]
  • Ed Alonzo
  • Rocco for Magician of the Year
  • Ed Alonzo (November 4)
  • Jade for Female Magician of the Year

2001

  • Ayala & Tanya for Entertainer of the Year (2001)[10]
  • Criss Angel for Magician of the Year
  • Bob Chua for Close Up Magician of the Year

2002

  • Peter Marvey for Magician of the Year
  • Darren Romeo for Entertainer of the Year[11]
  • Tony Laffan for Illusionist of the Year
  • The Ferco Brothers for Most Original Magicians of the Year T

2003

  • Presented on May 28, 2003 at the 17th Merlin Award Banquet Dinner in Las Vegas[12]
    • Brett Daniels for Magician of The Year
    • Juliana Chen for Most Original
    • Lennart Green for Best Close-Up Magic
    • Penn & Teller for Best Comedy Magic
    • Peter Reveen for Lifetime Achievement
    • Rocco for Best Cabaret Magic
    • Joanie Spina for Best Choreographer & Director
    • Ken Klosterman Magic Historian and Preservationist
    • Gary Darwin for Outstanding Contribution to Magic
  • John Hirokawa for "Most Original" [13]
  • Devlin

2004

  • Criss Angel for Magician of the Year
  • Franz Harary for Illusionist of the Decade
  • Arian Black for Female Magician of the Year
  • Chipper Lowell for Comedy Magician of the Year
  • John Hirokawa for Most Original Magician
  • Jan Rouven for ?

2005

  • Michael Giles & Stacey Jones for Illusionists of the Year
  • World’s Greatest Magic Show and cast received: [14]
    • Production Show of the Year
    • Kevin James for Most Original Magician
    • Kozak for Entertainer of the Year
    • Joseph Gabriel for Best Manipulations
  • Christian Farla for ?

2006

  • Chipper Lowell "Comedy Magician 2006" (presented June 24)
  • Christian Farla "Magician of the Year 2006."
  • Greg Gleason for "Illusionist of The Year 2006"
  • Murray Sawchuck for "Most Original 2006" [15][16]
  • The Hamners for Entertainers of the Year

2007

  • Criss Angel for Magician of the Year
  • Kozak for International Comic/Magician of the Year[17]
  • Cast for the Branson show[18]
    • Bambi Van Burch for Female Magician of the Year
    • Kirby Van Burch for Entertainer of the Year
    • Jim Barber for Ventriloquist of the Year

2008

  • Criss Angel for Magician of the Year (Feb 14)[19]
  • Gerry McCambridge for Mentalist of the Year (Aug 25)[20]
  • Arian Black for Female Magician of the Year
  • Bambi Van Burch for Female Magician of the Year (July 1)[21]
  • Scarlett for Female Magician of the Year (Oct 31) [22]
  • Steve Dacri for Close Up Magician of the Year (April )
  • John Taylor for Illusionist of the Year
  • SOS & Victoria for Fastest Quick Change Act in the World
  • Stoil & Ekaterina for Magical Transformations
  • Dixie Dooley for 30 Years of Exceptional Magic (Oct 12)[23]
  • Best Magic Show McBride’s Wonderground Presented Aug 20 on Opening Night of Show
  • Antonio Casanova for Best Magician in the World (Nov 10) [24]
  • Jorgos for Best Stage Magician (Jul 31)
  • Jason Byrne for Best Cabaret Magician
  • Nathan Burton for Best Comedy Magician (Jun 26)[25]
  • Brett Daniels for Entertainer of the Year[26]
  • Rob Lake for International Magician of the Year (May 18)
  • Perry Maynard for Best Magic Shop
  • Nicholas Liotatis for Best Young Magician


2009

  • Criss Angel for Magician of the Decade (March) [27]
  • Bambi Van Burch for Female Magician of the Decade (June 8) [28][29]
  • Joe Labero for Illusionist of the Decade (July)[30]
  • The Spencers for Magicians of the Year (Oct)[31]
  • Antonio Casanova for Best Magician
  • Arian Black for Female Magician of the Year
  • Keith Barry for Mentalist of the Year (Jan)
  • Lee Alex for Illusionist of the Year
  • J C Sum for Most Original Illusionist (July)
  • Magic Babe Ning for Most Original Female Illusionist (July )
  • Lyn Dillies for Best Female Illusionist (Nov 1)
  • Christian Farla for Best International Magic Show
  • Peter Valance for Best Magic Show (Feb 1)
  • Peter Valance for Best Magic Show Feb 1
  • Antonio Restivo for Best Fire & Magic Show
  • Florian Zimmer for Best Contemporary Magician
  • Tora for Best Designer & First Producer of Magical Items (Jun 12 at Turkish Convention)
  • Kubilay ‘QB’ Tuncer for Best Stage and Cabaret Magician Jun 12
  • Selim Basarir for Best Magical Mentor of the Year Jun 12
  • Simon Lovell for Longest Running One Man Off Broadway Show
  • Steve Dacri for Close Up Magician of the Year
  • Boris Wild for Most Original Close Up
  • Jeff Hobson for Best Comedy Magician
  • Brett Daniels for Entertainer of the Year Aug 28 [32]
  • Throwdini for Excellence in the Impalement Arts April
  • Pat Fallon for Family Magic Show of the Year
  • The Great Cahyo Sep
  • ‘Tito Cris’ Castro Sep 23
  • SOS & Victoria Fastest for Quick Change Act in the World
  • Sos Petrosyan Jr for Youngest Professional Magician in the World Age 13
  • The Ferco Brothers for Best Illusionists with Exotic Animals
  • Criss Angel Magic Set for Best Magic Kit (Awarded before it was released)
  • The Great Cahyo
  • Cris Castro

2010

  • Criss Angel for Magician of the Century[33] [34]
  • Luis de Matos for Illusionist of the Decade
  • John Taylor for Illusionist of the Year
  • John Taylor for Show of the Year
  • Eugene Burger for Close Up Magician of the Year Oct 21
  • Tse Tow Joon Yeen for Close Up Magician of the Year Jun 9[35]
  • McBride’s Wonderground for Most Innovative Show Oct 21
  • Dave Koenig for Best Radio Magic Aug 13
  • Marco Tempest for Contemporary Magician of the Year Aug 11
  • Tony Clark & Paul Reder for Producers of the Year Aug 9
  • Brad Ross for Best International Family Entertainer Sep 9
  • Bone Ho for Best Manipulations June
  • Xavier Giro for Most Original Act Mar 7[36]
  • Jimmy Kikuchi for Best Cabaret Magic Mar 7
  • Timothy Trust & Julia for Best Stage Magicians Mar 7
  • Dirk Losander for Best Classic Magician
  • Lu Chen for Most Original Magician May
  • Fairy Star (Benjamas Sapsuk) for Best Cultural Magic
  • Princess Rizuki for Best Female Magician
  • Mamada (Feb 28)
  • Jorinn Chee Ka Yee
  • Ernesto Planas
  • Jia Feng
  • Jeff Lee
  • Vincent Tan
  • Richard Yuh
  • Fukai

Unknown years

pre-1998

  • Hugh R. Riley (some time before 1998)[37]
  • Norm Nielsen
  • Paul Daniels
  • Joaquin Ayala for Most Original Magician
  • Luis de Matos
  • Tabary
  • Shimada
  • Harry Blackstone Jr
  • Doug Henning
  • Siegfried & Roy
  • David Copperfield
  • Hugh R. Riley

References

  1. Ad, Magic January, 1997
  2. 2.0 2.1 Their Website says 1999, but MUM, November 1998 lists it in 1998
  3. Ad for Antonio Casanova Genii 2009 January
  4. Genii 1999 July
  5. Genii 1999 November
  6. M-U-M AUGUST 2000
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Linking Ring, May 2000
  8. Magic, March 2000
  9. Genii 2006 March, page 80
  10. Magic, March, 2001
  11. Linking Ring February, 2006
  12. MUM, SEPTEMBER 2003
  13. MUM, JANUARY 2004, page 58
  14. Las Vegas Show http://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2005/jul/01/production-weaves-its-magic-at-greek-isles/
  15. July 2006 MUM, page 69
  16. http://itricks.com/news/2008/10/scarlett-wins-merlin/
  17. http://itricks.com/news/2007/03/angel-margolis-to-award-merlin-to-kozak-tomorrow/
  18. http://www.branson-ozark-mountain-country.com/kirbyvanburch.html
  19. http://itricks.com/news/2008/02/criss-takes-magician-of-the-year-award-internet-guff-for-beard/
  20. http://itricks.com/news/2008/08/gerry-mccambridge-wins-merlin/
  21. http://www.branson-ozark-mountain-country.com/kirbyvanburch.html
  22. http://itricks.com/news/2008/10/scarlett-wins-merlin/
  23. http://itricks.com/news/2008/10/dixie-dooley-to-receive-merlin/
  24. http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Casanova
  25. http://itricks.com/news/2008/06/nathan-burton-wins-merlin/
  26. http://itricks.com/news/2009/08/brett-daniels-awarded-merlin-award
  27. http://itricks.com/news/2009/03/criss-angel-gets-merlin-award-for-magician-of-the-decade/
  28. “never happened” according to Tony despite photo of award http://www.shepherdgazette.com/2009081371/July/August-2009/kirby-bambi-vanburch.html
  29. http://magicunlimited.typepad.com/magic_unlimited_with_elli/2009/11/the-letter-that-started-the-merlin-awards-controversy.html
  30. http://www.cisionwire.com/labero-entertainment-ab/joe-labero-becomes--illusionist-of-the-decade-
  31. http://www.spencersmagic.com/showdates/ Though iTricks reports it in Aug that they got it in July http://itricks.com/news/2009/07/spencers-win-merlin-as-magicians-of-the-year/
  32. http://itricks.com/news/2009/08/brett-daniels-awarded-merlin-award
  33. http://www.goldplateddoor.com/2010/04/29/criss-angel-magician-of-the-century-really/
  34. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/apr/28/luxor-headliner-criss-angel-named-magician-century/
  35. http://misfitsmephisto.forumotion.net/introduction-f3/hello-my-name-is-vincent-tan-from-malaysia-t360.htm
  36. Prizes for competition winners at Amber Convention http://www.aabii.eu/news.html
  37. Obit, Magic Circular, April 1998

External Link