By Tom Interval
In April, the New England Magic Collectors Association (NEMCA) announced on its Facebook page a contest to name its quarterly newsletter. Today they announced the winner: yours truly! Thanks to the NEMCA board for that.
My name idea, Discoveries, is derived from the title of a seminal book in the field of magic: The Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584), by Reginald Scot. The book, an exposé of the methods of supposed witches of the day, was arguably the first widely available work to reveal magic tricks.
In the context of collecting, Discoveries has a second meaning. Those who collect magic books, apparatus, posters, ephemera, and memorabilia, no matter how large or small their collection, are on a never-ending quest to acquire more magical pieces. And sometimes even the smallest, least expensive discovery brings the most joy.
I’m not sure how many other people submitted name ideas, but I’m honored NEMCA chose mine. And besides the honor itself, the organization awarded me a bronze medallion crafted after an original medallion issued by renowned Scottish magician John Henry Anderson (1814–1874), known in his day as The Great Wizard of the North. (Trivia: Anderson died less than seven weeks before legendary escapologist and magician Harry Houdini was born.)
NEMCA also gifted me one Yankee Magic Collector issue of my choosing. Yankee Magic Collector is a publication that coincides with NEMCA’s biennial Yankee Gathering.
Thanks again, NEMCA! I look forward to future issues of Discoveries.
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