Richard J. Kaufman

Richard J. Kaufman
Kaufman in 2017
Born (1958-05-16) May 16, 1958
New York City, United States
Occupation Writer, illustrator, publisher, magician
Alma mater

Queen's University

New York University
Genre Magic
Website
geniimagazine.com

Richard J. Kaufman (born May 16, 1958) is an author, publisher, illustrator, and editor of books and magazines in the field of magic.

Biography

Born in 1958 in New York City, he became interested in magic at age 5 after receiving some novelties from the S.S. Adams company sent by his uncle Alan Soffin. This was followed up by a gift of several magic books. Richard's father, Lewis C. Kaufman (later president of B. Altman and Co.), also encouraged his interest by purchasing tricks at a magic shop, learning them, and demonstrating them to his son.[1]

Richard slowly began spending time at several magic shops in New York City, among them Circle Magic run by Mike Tannen, Magic Center run by Russ Delmar, and Lou Tannen's Magic Shop run by the Tannen brothers Lou and Irv, and Tony Spina. By the age of 14 he was already inventing magic effects and he illustrated his first book at age 16 (Afterthoughts by Harry Lorayne).

He attended Queens College, and then New York University, graduating in 1981 with a double-major in both English and Acting (the latter after having studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting).

Kaufman illustrated many other books in the field through 1991, popularizing a style of cartoon-movement into technical magic illustration. He also began writing magic books, starting with the Interlocked Production of Coins in 1977. He self-published his first two modest books, then sought a partner for the financing required to publish larger books. Alan C. Greenberg, CEO of Bear Stearns, also a highly respected amateur magician, brought the financing that Kaufman required and the company Kaufman and Greenberg was born. For the next 20 years it published many of the most highly respected books in the field, capturing the sleight-of-hand methods and magic from many of the world's top magicians in printed form. In the mid-1990s, the business became Kaufman and Company and continues its successful publishing ventures.

In 1998, Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine—which had been run by the Larsen family of California since 1936, and which is the oldest continuously published independent magazine in the field of magic—was purchased by Kaufman, his wife Elizabeth, and partners Jane and Daniel Solomon. Kaufman became editor in chief and president of The Genii Corporation and the magazine continues its publication, now in both printed and digital formats. Genii also operates The Genii Forum[2] an internet discussion group open to all and MagicPedia,[3] the largest online encyclopedia of magic. Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine was sold to Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software in July 2017. Richard and Elizabeth Kaufman continue as Editor and Art Director.

As a highly sought-after author, Kaufman also wrote "The Project Magic Handbook" for David Copperfield; the trick section in "Mindfreaks" for Criss Angel; "Knack Magic Tricks" for Globe Pequot Press; and numerous magic instructions for premium products offered by Royal Jello, Whisk, Burger King, and Coronet Paper Products.

Recognition of Kaufman's influence as a magic illustrator is described in Chuck Romano's book, "The Art of Deception" (1997) ISBN 0-578-00752-5.

Richard Kaufman has appeared on the covers of Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine (1987); MAGIC (1993); The Magic Circular (2006); M-U-M (2011) and has given presentations at numerous magic conferences including The Los Angeles Conference on Magic History, The Magic Collectors Association, and Magic-Con 2011.[4] He has also received numerous awards for his writing and publishing, including the Literary Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts (the Magic Castle) in 1998 (at which time he was also made a life member), the J.N. Maskelyne Award from the Magic Circle in London in 2001, and the Milbourne Christopher Award in 1995. He has also been made an honorary life member of the Society of American Magicians, and has received a president's citation from the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Mr. Kaufman also writes for the Pop Culture website Boing Boing.[5]

Publications

Periodicals

Edited by Richard Kaufman:[6]

  • 1978 Apocalypse with Harry Lorayne
  • 1982 Richard's Almanac
  • 1995 The Looking Glass
  • 1999 Genii

Books

Written, illustrated, and/or published by Richard Kaufman:[6]

  • 1973 Genesis Kings written by Fr. Brennan (marketed trick)
  • 1973 Rollover Aces written by Fr. Brennan (marketed trick)
  • 1975 Afterthoughts by Harry Lorayne (Illustrated by Kaufman)
  • 1977 The Interlocked Production of Coins (the first book written, illustrated, and published by Kaufman)
  • 1977 Balls! Lessons in Side Arm Snookery (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1977 The Magic Book by Harry Lorayne (Illustrated by Kaufman)
  • 1978 On the Up and Up (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1978 The Real Secrets of The Three Ball Routines by Frank Garcia (Illustrated by Kaufman)
  • 1978 The Card Classics of Ken Krenzel By Harry Lorayne (Illustrated by Kaufman)
  • 1978 Apocalypse, Vol. 1 (Richard Kaufman and Harry Lorayne)
  • 1979 CardMagic by Richard Kaufman (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman) (The first book published by Kaufman and Greenberg)
  • 1979 NEW STARS OF MAGIC presents THE ULTIMATE INVISIBLE ASSEMBLY
  • 1980 The Gene Maze Card Book (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1980 The Very Best of Cups and Balls by Frank Garcia (Illustrated by Kaufman)
  • 1980 Exclusive Card Miracles By Frank Garcia (Illustrated by Kaufman)
  • 1981 CoinMagic by Richard Kaufman (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1981 CardWorks by Richard Kaufman (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1982 Tom Mullica's AEROBIC (AUTOMATIC-ENTRY ROLL-OVER BILL-IN-CIGARETTE) by Richard Kaufman
  • 1982 The Complete Works of Derek Dingle (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1982 The New York Magic Symposium – Collection 1 (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1982 The Elegant Card Magic of Fr. Cyprian by Frank Garcia (Illustrated by Kaufman)
  • 1983 The New York Magic Symposium – Collection 2 (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1983 Richard's Almanac Volume 1 (Hardcover Reprint of Volume One) (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1984 Abstract (Lecture Notes) (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1984 The Topit Book by Michael Ammar (Illustrated by Kaufman)
  • 1985 David Roth's Expert Coin Magic (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1985 Don England's Gaffed To The Hilt! By Jon Racherbaumer
  • 1986 Sankey Panky Jay Sankey (bio) (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1986 The Compleat Invocation, Vols. 1 & 2 (Tony Raven and Tony Andruzzi)
  • 1986 Spirit Theater By Eugene Burger
  • 1987 The Uncanny Scot: Ron Wilson (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1987 The Performance of Close-Up Magic By Eugene Burger, illustrated by Kaufman
  • 1987 Lim-Tricks By Jeff Sheridan
  • 1987 Derek Dingle's Australian Poker (a giveaway when you bought a book)
  • 1987 The New Jinx (Book) By Bill Madsen
  • 1988 Darwin Ortiz at the Card Table by Darwin Ortiz, illustrated by Kaufman
  • 1988 New Magic of Japan by Phil Goldstein and Richard Kaufman
  • 1988 Sawa's Library of Magic, Vol. 1 (Written, illustrated, and photographed by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1989 Williamson's Wonders (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1989 The Secrets of Brother John Hamman (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1989 The Experience of Magic by Eugene Burger, illustrated by Kaufman
  • 1989 On The Pass (Video)
  • 1990 100% Sankey (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1990 Gary Kurtz: Unexplainable Acts (Written and illustrated by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1990 The Amazing Miracles Of Shigeo Takagi By Richard Kaufman, illustrated by Ton Onosaka
  • 1991 Life Savers By Michael Weber
  • 1991 Strange Ceremonies By Eugene Burger
  • 1991 Card Craft By J.K. Hartman, illustrated by Joseph K. Schmidt
  • 1991 Road Hustler By Robert Prus
  • 1991 Houdini's Conjurer’s Monthly Magazine (Reprint of Full File)
  • 1991 Smoke and Mirrors By John Bannon, illustrated by Kaufman
  • 1992 Five Times Five: Japan by Richard Kaufman, illustrated by Ton Onosaka
  • 1992 The Collected Almanac (Reprint of All Three Volumes Plus Additional Material)
  • 1992 The Compleat Invocation, Vol. 3 by Tony Andruzzi
  • 1992 Totally Out of Control By Chris Kenner
  • 1992 Tom Mullica Starring in Show-Time at the Tom-Foolery (Written and photographeed by Richard Kaufman)
  • 1993 Beyond Compere By Terry Seabrooke
  • 1993 Martin Gardner Presents By Martin Gardner
  • 1993 Secrets Draun From Underground By Richard Kaufman, illustrated by Earle Oakes
  • 1993 Tarbell 8 (Harlan Tarbell, Steve Burton, Richard Kaufman)
  • 1993 A Tarbell Scrapbook Compiled by Richard Kaufman
  • 1993 Ibidem, Vol 1 (reprint of issues 1–16 + color reproductions of covers)
  • 1993 The Second Now You See It, Now You Don't! by Bill Tarr and Barry Ross (Reprint of 1978 edition)
  • 1993 Walt Disney's The Sorcerer's Apprentice Magic and Story Book (magic section illustrated by Kaufman)
  • 1994 Greater Magic by John Northern Hilliard
  • 1994 Gene Maze and The Art of Bottom Dealing By Stephen Hobbs, illustrated by Earle Oakes
  • 1994 Paul Gertner's Steel and Silver by Richard Kaufman, illustrated by Ton Onosaka
  • 1994 Great Balloons! By Jean Merlin, illustrated by James Hodges
  • 1994 Strong Magic By Darwin Ortiz
  • 1994 Mahatma (Reprint of Full File with Complete Index)
  • 1995 Much Ado About Something By Karrell Fox
  • 1995 Duffie's Card Compulsions By Peter Duffie, illustrated by Joseph K. Schmidt
  • 1995 Cardshark By Darwin Ortiz
  • 1995 After Craft: More Card Trickery By J.K. Hartman, illustrated by Joseph K. Schmidt
  • 1995 The Discoverie of Witchcraft (Reprint, Reginald Scot)
  • 1995 The Magic of Edward Victor’s Hands By Rae Hammond
  • 1995 Magic of the Hands Trilogy By Edward Victor
  • 1995 Facsimile 1 by Jon Racherbaumer
  • 1995 New Card Control Systems by Joseph K. Schmidt
  • 1996 Tom Mullica Lecture Notes (with Tom Mullica)
  • 1996 Magie Duvivier By Jon Racherbaumer, illustrated by Earle Oakes
  • 1996 Lou Gallo: The Underground Man By by Richard Kaufman and Mark Phillips, illustrated by Joseph K. Schmidt
  • 1996 A Magician Among the Spirits (Unpublished First Draft by Harry Houdini)
  • 1996 Séance By Scott Davis
  • 1996 Facsimile 2 by Jon Racherbaumer
  • 1996 Notes to Houdini!!! By Ken Silverman
  • 1996 Stanyon’s Magic (Reprint of Full File with Complete Index)
  • 1996 Stanyon's Serial Lessons in Conjuring (Reprint of Full File)
  • 1997 Jennings '67 by Richard Kaufman, illustrated by Earle Oakes
  • 1997 Arcade Dreams: Ed Marlo By Jon Racherbaumer, illustrated by Joseph K. Schmidt
  • 1997 The Feints and Temps of Harry Riser By Ed Brown, illustrated by Earle Oakes
  • 1997 Folding Money Fooling By Robert Neale, illustrated by Earle Oakes
  • 1997 Greater Artful Dodges of Eddie Fields By Jon Racherbaumer, illustrated by Earle Oakes
  • 1997 Effortless Card Magic By Peter Duffie, illustrated by Joseph K. Schmidt
  • 1997 Facsimile 3 by Jon Racherbaumer
  • 1997 Charles Bertram: The Court Conjurer By Edwin Dawes
  • 1997 Looking Glass (4 Issues edited by Kaufman, Racherbaumer, and Hobbs)
  • 1997 Basic Basic Basic Card Technique (Video)
  • 1998 The Book or Don't Forget to Point by the Flicking Fingers
  • 1998 Vis a Vis: A Jack Avis Book By Jack Avis and John Derris, illustrated by Joseph K. Schmidt
  • 1998 The Mysteries of My Life: Rene Lavand By Richard Kaufman and Rene Lavand, illustrated by Earle Oakes
  • 1998 Street Magic (Reprint, by Jeff Sheridan and Edward Claflin)
  • 1998 Five Times Five: Scotland By Peter Duffie, illustrated by Joseph K. Schmidt
  • 1998 The Now You See It, Now You Don't! Notebook Written and Illustrated by Bill Tarr
  • 1998 Stodare: The Enigma Variations By Dr. Edwin Dawes
  • 1999 Trickery Treats by J.K. Hartman, illustrated by Joseph K. Schmidt
  • 1999 Artistic and Magical Life of Bob Kline By Bill King
  • 1999 Genii. The Conjurors' Magazine (Edited by Kaufman as of Jan.1 1999)
  • 2000 Mastering the Art of Magic By Eugene Burger, illustrated by Earle Oakes
  • 2000 Facsimile 4 by Jon Racherbaumer
  • 2000 Other Voices: Ventriloquism from BC to TV By Stanley Burns
  • 2001 The Lost Notebooks of John Northern Hilliard (Published by The Genii Corporation)
  • 2002 Sexy Magic Written and illustrated by James Hodges; translated from the French by Jane Solomon
  • 2002 Stanley Collins, Conjuror, Collector and Iconoclast By Dr. Edwin Dawes
  • 2003 David Copperfield's Project Magic Handbook by Richard Kaufman, illustrated by Earle Oakes
  • 2005 Seriously Silly By David Kaye, photographs by Fredde Lieberman
  • 2005 One Hundred by Warlock By Elizabeth Warlock, illustrated by Joseph K. Schmidt (Published by The Genii Corporation)
  • 2006 The Vernon Touch By Dai Vernon (Published by The Genii Corporation)
  • 2007 Mindfreak by Criss Angel and Richard Kaufman (Trick Section) ISBN 0-06-113761-8
  • 2010 Knack Magic Tricks: A Step-by-Step Guide to Illusions, Sleight of Hand, and Amazing Feats (Photographs by Elizabeth Kaufman and Foreword by David Copperfield) ISBN 1-59921-779-1
  • 2011 The Berglas Effects by Richard Kaufman and David Berglas, illustrated by Earle Oakes
  • 2013 Japan Ingenious by Richard Kaufman and Steve Cohen
  • 2014 The Skinner Tapes (13 disc set of audio CDs and DVDs)
  • 2015 Labyrinth by Stephen Hobbs
  • 2015 Tenyoism Written and photographed by Richard Kaufman, introduction by David Copperfield
  • 2016 The Secrets of So Sato (So Sato and Richard Kaufman)
  • 2016 Super Sized Silly (David Kaye)
  • 2017 Spoiler Alert (Ryan Matney)
  • 2018 Totally Out of Control: SUPREME MME EDITION (Chris Kenner)

Future books that Kaufman has announced:

  • DeLand: Madness and Mystery
  • Mr. Jennings Takes it Easy
  • Mr. Jennings Takes It Tough
  • The Magic of Tomo Maeda
  • The Magic of Tenkai
  • Rene Lavand Redux
  • Cliff Green's Professional Card Magic

Awards

References

  1. ↑ https://www.amazon.com/Richard-Kaufman/e/B002KRHDLK
  2. ↑ http://www.geniimagazine.com/forum
  3. ↑ http://www.magicpedia.net
  4. ↑ http://magic-con.org/speakers/richard-kaufman/
  5. ↑ http://boingboing.net/author/richardkaufman
  6. 1 2 http://www.geniimagazine.com/magicpedia/Richard_Kaufman
  7. ↑ "Pelaez, Lund, Kaufman Garner Milbourne Christopher Awards". M-U-M. Vol. 85 no. 4. September 1995. p. 38. (Subscription required (help)).
  8. ↑ "Hall of Fame". The Academy of Magical Arts.
  9. ↑ "The John Nevil Maskelyne Prize". The Magic Circle. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
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