Introduction
The connection between magic performance and magic history runs deeper than most might suspect. As Mike Rose reveals in his conversation on The Magic Book Podcast:
"You can be a fan of magic history, but I think if you're a magic historian, maybe you go a little further and you're into researching and cataloging and keeping track of things. And collectors could be considered magic historians because they're chronicling the things they collect."
Mike Rose, a professional magician, magic historian, and award-winning author, joined me to discuss his journey from comedy club performer to acclaimed magic historian. During our conversation, we explored Mike's deep dives into the lives of two influential yet under-appreciated magicians: Joe Karson, inventor of the Zombie floating ball, and Phil Thomas, Baltimore's "Ambassador of Magic."
From Magic Kits to Magic History
Mike's introduction to magic followed a familiar path, beginning with childhood curiosity: "I asked for a magic kit for my eighth birthday. And, you know, that set it off in that I was bit by the magic bug, as they like to say." Mike's first purchased magic book foreshadowed his future career:
"The first magic book I purchased using my allowance money was called 'The Great Houdini.' It was a biography of Houdini by Beryl Williams, and that was the first book I purchased that I actually owned. And what I find interesting about it is that it was a magic history book. It was a biography. And so a little foreshadowing of my future interest in magic history."
Joe Karson: Beyond Zombie
Mike's first book, published in 1999, tells the story of Joe Karson, the inventor of the Zombie floating ball illusion. The project began almost accidentally when Mike discovered a 1934 pamphlet called "The Sensational Poison Swallowing Act" by J. Karson. After calling Tom Jorgensen to ask if this was the same Karson who invented the Zombie, Mike said the fateful words:
"'It's not like I'm gonna write a book about him or anything.' And then one year of research and writing later, I published my first book, 'Joe Karson: Beyond Zombie.'"
His research uncovered surprising facts about Karson, including that his real name was Chrzanowski and that he was far more prolific than most magicians realized: "He owned a magic shop in Springfield, Massachusetts, and he had several tricks that he created and marketed. He also wrote several books, you know, booklet type books, and he put out many things, but magicians only really knew him for the Zombie because that's really what took off."
Mike emphasized the revolutionary nature of the Zombie when it was first created:
"You've got to realize back in 1943 when he created this, it was revolutionary. Before that, if you wanted to do a floating ball, you had to have wings, a full-size stage. You had to have somebody in the wings helping you control the thread ... But he revolutionized it. You could perform the Floating Ball now in any venue as a one man act."
The research also uncovered fascinating details about the Zombie's earliest incarnations: "In 1943, [the US] was in the middle of World War two. And in The US, there were material shortages... the first Zombie Balls for the first couple months were actually made of glass, and I think he just used repurposed Christmas ornaments."
This explains why these earliest versions are practically non-existent today: "If you think back to when you first were playing with a Zombie, how many dented zombies there are in the world because, you know, it falls off the thing while you're practicing. It bounces across the floor! Well, I have never seen a glass Zombie, and I think that's why. Because when you're practicing with it, if you drop it, it doesn't dent. It shatters, and it's gone."
Phil Thomas: Maryland's Ambassador of Magic
Mike's second book, co-authored with Mark Walker, chronicled the life of Phil Thomas, owner of the Yogi Magic Mart in Baltimore:
"Phil was a big deal in the Baltimore magic community for approximately, oh, almost fifty years. He had his magic shop called the Yogi Magic Mart, and it was the center of the magic universe in Baltimore. He actually even called it 'The Mecca Of Magic.'"
Thomas wasn't just a shop owner but a multi-faceted magic figure: "He was also a performer. He also hosted a local TV show in the 1950s. He published books. He also had the Yogi Magic Club, so it was a place where magicians would come and meet and swap tricks and that sort of thing."
His influence extended beyond Baltimore as a magic "jobber" who would wholesale magic to other shops around the country. The book details Phil's connections to other notable magicians, including the surprising "Unholy Trio": "Hen Fetsch and Milbourne Christopher, their names that many listeners may know, they were referred to as 'The Unholy Trio,' and they got that nickname as teenage boys. They met in Baltimore."
Rebounding After Fire
One of the most dramatic episodes in Phil's life was the devastating fire that destroyed his shop in 1978. Yet, rather than retire at age 66, Phil demonstrated remarkable resilience:
"Phil grew up and lived through the Depression. I mean, he was a fighter, and he was always optimistic... Two months later, he opened the Yogi Magic Mart at its third location."
An important detail was Thomas's approach to magic retail: "His shops were always on the second floor of a building, and he was very old school. He didn't wanna have a big window on the ground level where just laymen or curiosity seekers would come in and start asking about secrets."
Phil also helped establish ethical standards as the first president of the Magic Dealers Association, formed in 1947 to address issues with unscrupulous dealers and misleading advertisements.
Mike's Memories of Phil Thomas
Mike's only personal encounter with Phil Thomas was less than ideal, something he didn't include in the book: "I did not introduce myself. I didn't say, 'Hey, I'm a magician from out of town. I'm here visiting. I wanted to come and see your famous magic shop.' ... So I think in his defense, he thought I was just a curiosity seeker."
"Today, if I could travel back in time, I think it'd be fun to relive the experience. And rather than leaving, I might say, 'Oh, by the way, I'll be co-writing your biography in forty years. Can we spend a little time together?'"
The Value of Magic History
Through his books and articles, Mike Rose has preserved the legacies of influential magicians who might otherwise be forgotten. His approach to research has evolved dramatically since his first book:
"When I was researching Karson, there was no Internet to speak of or online databases. I had to physically page through volumes of magic magazines looking for mentions of Karson. I had to go visit archives in person, search through newspapers at the public library."
Mike credits many mentors who supported his research, particularly Bill Kuethe: "He was so kind, he was supportive, he just graciously opened up his magic library to me... I'm sincere when I say this, that if it weren't for him, there would have not been a Karson book."
Mike's most treasured book reveals his deep appreciation for research resources: "My absolute favorite magic book is not a biography. It's not a compilation of history stories. It's a reference book. It's called 'The Bibliography of Conjuring Periodicals in English from 1791 to 1983'. It's probably the first book I bought when I got serious about doing magic history research."
Conclusion
Mike Rose's work as both a performer and historian highlights the vital importance of documenting magic's past. Through his careful research on figures like Joe Karson and Phil Thomas, Mike has illuminated the lives and contributions of influential magicians whose full stories might otherwise have been lost to time.
Mike's upcoming books, which focus on the Kohl and Company comedy magic act and Al Wheatley, inventor of the Chop Cup, continue this work. Mike emphasizes that the magic historian's most essential quality is passion for the subject.
Mike's latest information and updates on his historical work can be found at baltimoreconjuringhistory.com.
Timestamps
00:01 Introduction
05:09 Magic, Comedy, and Monty Python
08:39 Mike Moves to Baltimore
13:51 The Zombie Floating Ball’s Origins
14:41 Karson's Surprising, Tragic Life
20:39 Creating Karson's eBook Archive
22:38 Completing Phil Thomas's Biography
25:24 Phil's Impact on Magic Wholesaling
28:52 Magic Pioneers: ‘The Unholy Trio’
32:41 Fire Aftermath
35:49 Magic Retail Integrity and Trust
38:43 Antique Magic
41:35 Author's Passion Drives Book-Worthiness
43:53 Bill Kuethe's Impact on Magic History
47:50 Upcoming Projects
52:48 Mike's Most Treasured Magic Book
54:55 Meeting a Mentor Over Lunch
57:55 Conclusion
Books and Magazines Mentioned
"The Bibliography of Conjuring Periodicals in English from 1791 to 1983" (1986) by Jim Alfredson and George Daily
"The Sensational Poison Swallowing Act" (1934 pamphlet) by J. Karson
"Biz for the Wiz" (magazine) J. Karson
Various unspecified booklets compiled into an ebook collection with Chris Wasshuber
"Joe Karson: Beyond Zombie" (1999) by Mike Rose
"Maryland's Ambassador of Magic: Phil Thomas and the Yogi Magic Mart" (2020) by Mike Rose and Mark Walker
"Masters of Mishap: The Kohl and Company Story" (upcoming) by Mike Rose
Untitled Al Wheatley biography (in progress) by Mike Rose
"Ghostmasters" (1991) by Mark Walker
"The Great Houdini" (1950) by Beryl Williams and Samuel Epstein
"Spooky Tricks" (1968) by Rose Wyler and Gerald Ames