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Genii Magazine
- See also: Genii index.
| Genii | |
 First issue | |
| Editors | William Larsen, Sr.(1936-1953) Bill Larsen, Jr. & Irene Larsen (1953-1990) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly |
| First issue | September 1936 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Website | geniimagazine.com |
Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine is the longest-running independent magazine devoted to magic and magicians in the history of the art. It was founded by William W. Larsen, Sr. in 1936, and run by his descendents until 1998, when it was sold to The Genii Corporation, headed by well-known magic author Richard Kaufman. Genii is now a 112 to 120 page glossy color monthly and is edited by Richard Kaufman, with associate editor Jim Steinmeyer. The columnists include new additions Guy Hollingworth, Luke Jermay, Eugene Burger, and Harry Lorayne. Continuing columnists include David Acer, Michael Close, Bob Farmer, Jim Swain, Jon Racherbaumer, Jamy Ian Swiss, Eric Mead, David Oliver, David Regal, Danny Orleans, Dustin Stinett, Joe M. Turner and many others. Several times a year a free DVD or magic trick is included in the magazine—a first in the field of magic.
Source(s): Genii Magazine
History
1930s
In September of 1936, William Larsen, Sr. starts publishing Genii, competing with John Mulholland’s the Sphinx, a magazine that Larsen was hoping to take over.
The original print run was 750 copies, downsized to 500 for issues two and three.[1]
Source(s): Genii Magazine
1940s
By the 1940s, the subscriptions had grown to several thousand throughout the world. In 1941, S.A.M. awarded Genii with the contract to print their M-U-M as part of the magazine. This took away some of the Sphinx readership.
In 1942, Larsen purchased Floyd Thayer’s Magic Company. Genii did not turn into a "house organ" for the company but remained independent, even limiting the amount of advertising space given to Thayer’s. Even with having to devote time to the magic shop, shows, lectures, and his legal profession the magazine kept prospering.
In November, 1949, Genii absorbed The Conjurors' Magazine.
Source(s): Genii Magazine
1950s
The Larsen's sold Thayer’s in 1950 and on July 5, 1953, Bill Larsen Sr. died suddenly at the age of 48. Gerrie, Bill Larsen Jr., and Milt Larsen kept the magazine going.
Source(s): Genii Magazine
1960s
Bill and Milt both became involved in the new television industry and in 1962, The Academy of Magical Arts and The Magic Castle, originally Bill Sr.’s dream, were created. All Genii subscribers were automatic members. Genii, however, stayed independent of the Academy and the Castle.
Source(s): Genii Magazine
1990s
Bill Larsen, Jr. became ill and the editorship of Genii was passed first by Dante Larsen (the son of Irene and her first husband John Daniel) and then to his daughter Erika Larsen. The magazine eventually started to falter as evident when only three issues were published in 1998.
In October 1998, the Larsens sold Genii to a new company headed Richard Kaufman. Beginning with the issue published by the newly formed Genii Corporation in January, 1999, Genii has been on time every single month.
Source(s): Genii Magazine
Genii Index
The original Genii Open Index is lost. Work is currently underway to transfer it here. See Category:Genii for list of available Genii issues with table of contents on MagicPedia.[2]
You can search just the genii issues in MagicPedia by added "category:genii" (in quotes) to the search: Max Maven’s Monthly Inquisition "category:genii"
You can search by year too: Max Maven’s Monthly Inquisition "category:genii 2008"
Source(s): Genii Magazine
Effects by performer
Source(s): Genii Magazine
References
- ↑ 75 Years of Genii by Max Maven, Genii 2012 November December
- ↑ http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=2007&Number=20548#Post20548
Source(s): Genii Magazine