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Difference between revisions of "McDonald Birch"

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[[MacDonald Birch]] (1902- April 28, 1992) was born George McDonald Birch and grew up in McConnelsville, Ohio. Known as Mac to his friends, he began performing on the [[Lyceum]] and [[Chautauqua]] circuits. He quickly gained a reputation for his work offering a full unassisted two-hour show.
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| birth_name                = George McDonald Birch
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| birth_year                = 1902 
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| death_day                = April 28,
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| death_year                = 1992 
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'''MacDonald "Mac" Birch''' (1902-April 28, 1992) was born George McDonald Birch and grew up in McConnelsville, Ohio. Known as Mac to his friends, he began performing on the [[Lyceum]] and [[Chautauqua]] circuits. He quickly gained a reputation for his work offering a full unassisted two-hour show.
  
 
Later, his wife Mabel Sperry, a xylophonist and also played the marimba , provided the musical interlude in his shows, as well as working as his chief assistant.  Two of his featured acts were the Vanishing Pony and the Silk Mirage.
 
Later, his wife Mabel Sperry, a xylophonist and also played the marimba , provided the musical interlude in his shows, as well as working as his chief assistant.  Two of his featured acts were the Vanishing Pony and the Silk Mirage.
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== External References ==
 
== External References ==
 
 
* Cover [[Genii 1940 January]], Vol. 4, no. 5, page 145.
 
* Cover [[Genii 1940 January]], Vol. 4, no. 5, page 145.
 
* Cover [[Genii 1945 September]]
 
* Cover [[Genii 1945 September]]

Revision as of 02:05, 10 February 2012

McDonald Birch
BornGeorge McDonald Birch
1902
DiedApril 28, 1992

MacDonald "Mac" Birch (1902-April 28, 1992) was born George McDonald Birch and grew up in McConnelsville, Ohio. Known as Mac to his friends, he began performing on the Lyceum and Chautauqua circuits. He quickly gained a reputation for his work offering a full unassisted two-hour show.

Later, his wife Mabel Sperry, a xylophonist and also played the marimba , provided the musical interlude in his shows, as well as working as his chief assistant. Two of his featured acts were the Vanishing Pony and the Silk Mirage.

MacDonald Birch was a contemporary of other master illusionists like Blackstone, Thurston and the great Harry Houdini. In 1924, Howard Thurston made plans to make Birch the successor to the Kellar-Thurston "magic mantle". Thurston, however, never got around to retiring.

After over 50 years as a headliner, Birch retired from performing in the 1960s.

The auditorium of the Opera House Theater in Morgan County, Ohio was dedicated "Birch Hall" as tribute.

Awards

  • Received the "Master Fellowship" award from the Academy of Magical Arts (1980)
  • Given a Presidential Citation by IBM in 1990.
  • Cincinnati Academy of Magic and Allied Sciences (C.A.M.A.S.) bestowed him the "Honored Wizard" in 1990.

External References

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