Introduction
In this episode of The Magic Book Podcast, Lance Rich discusses his journey from young magic enthusiast to respected historian and author of "Neon Dreams: The Story of Las Vegas Magic." Lance shares insights into his research process, the serendipitous discovery of Gloria Dea - the first magician to perform on the Las Vegas Strip - and his perspectives on magic history and collecting.
Early Beginnings in Magic
Lance's first exposure to magic came at age five when he saw Broadway the Clown perform at his after-school program. This experience sparked a passion that would shape his future. His earliest performances began in his living room, inspired by library books and a Scholastic Book Fair magic kit.
The first time I saw a magicians live... I remember just being infatuated. It's kinda cool because years later, we became friendly.
This early encounter with Broadway the Clown, whose real name was Nick Wilkins, would lead to a professional relationship years later when Lance worked for him as a costumed character between other bookings.
The Journey to Neon Dreams
Lance's book, "Neon Dreams," originated from a talk he gave at the Magic Collector Expo. What began as a presentation evolved into something much more significant when Joshua Jay of Vanishing Inc. approached him about turning it into a book.
Josh says to me very shortly after the presentation, "That's great. I think there's a book in there. Would you be interested in adapting that into a book?" And, you know, I thought for about, like, two seconds. I was like, "Yeah!"
This fortuitous moment would transform Lance's well-received presentation into his first published book.
Research and Writing Process
Lance's research process involved extensive archival work, interviews, and collaboration with the magic community. He emphasizes the importance of accessibility in historical writing:
I wanted to write a book that my mother could enjoy. My mother who doesn't care about magic, doesn't care about Vegas, something that she would enjoy just from a storytelling point-of-view.
This philosophy of accessibility guided Lance's writing process, helping him create a narrative that would appeal to both magic enthusiasts and general readers alike.
The Gloria Dea Discovery
One of the book's most significant revelations was identifying Gloria Dea as the first magician to perform on the Las Vegas Strip. Lance describes the serendipitous way this discovery unfolded:
When you start taking all of those names away, you're left with one name... I had never heard of Gloria Dea, and most people hadn't, I would say.
This discovery came after extensive research and collaboration with other magic historians, including Bill Mullins, who helped compile comprehensive lists of early Vegas performers. Gloria Dea received public recognition at her 100th birthday celebration, where she was presented with the key to The Strip, surrounded by performers including David Copperfield and Harrison Greenbaum.
Magic Collectors' Corner
In the podacst, Lance discusses his work with his partner David Sandy on Magic Collectors' Corner, emphasizing the importance of making magic history accessible:
Accessibility has been like a major thing. I know so many people who say, "Well, I'm not a collector, but, you know, I have 500 decks of cards..." Well, that's kind of a collector. You're kind of a collector!
This inclusive approach has helped grow the Magic Collectors' Corner Facebook community to over 6,500 members, creating a welcoming space for both serious collectors and casual enthusiasts.
Looking Forward
Lance continues to contribute to magic history through his work on Magic Collectors' Corner and future projects, including a potential Vegas magic-inspired novel. His approach to making magic history accessible and entertaining continues to inspire both collectors and casual enthusiasts alike.
Books Mentioned in this Episode
Abracadabra: Creating Your Own Magic Show from Beginning to End by Barbara Seuling (1975)
Give A Magic Show by Burton and Rita Marks (1977)
Conjuring by James Randi (1992)
The Encyclopedia of Magic by Eddie Dawes and Arthur Setterington (1986)
Neon Dreams: The Story of Las Vegas Magic by Lance Rich (2023)
Timestamps
00:04: Introduction to The Magic Book Podcast
02:19: Lance's first exposure to magic
04:52: Early magic books and performances
09:02: Discussion of charity magic shows
14:56: Origins of "Neon Dreams"
17:43: Research process for the book
24:43: "The Newcomer" narrative chapter approach
28:13: Gloria Dea discovery
35:47: Magic Collectors' Corner discussion
40:34: Lance's most cherished magic books
42:22: Future projects and advice for aspiring historians