Albert Goshman

Albert Goshman
Born	Albert Goshman December 06, 1920 New York City
Died	February 12, 1991 (age 70) Los Angeles

Albert Goshman (1920-1991), a bagel baker from Brooklyn, became one of the greatest close-up magicians of all time and early in his professional magic career billed himself as "The Baker That's a Faker".

Biography

Albert found that he has an uncle in South America whose name is Goshminsky, so it appears Albert’s father changed his name, along with other thousands of immigrants on their arrival in the United States.

During War World II, while working in a defense plant, Goshman discovered a small book of coin and pocket tricks and began to study. Following the war, he became a regular visitor at the New York's magic shops. He favored coin magic and began calling himself Fakir, the Baker.

He relocated to the west coast in the early 1960s and beginning in 1963 was a regular performer at the Magic Castle. He became known for his routine involving coins and salt shakers.

Magic by Gosh

Goshman also developed a number of foam rubber products including sponge balls. As demand grew, he expanded in to larger quarters and finally purchased a building to house his manufacturing enterprise. It is called Magic by Gosh, and is now run by Albert's son, Steve Goshman.

Awards

• Academy of Magical Arts first winner of the best Close-up Magician Award (1968) and won again in 1975.
• Academy of Magical Arts Magician of the Year in 1971 and Best Lecturer.

Publications

• Four Cards through a Newspaper (Manuscript) (1968)
• Coins thru the Table (Manuscript) (1968)
• The Card in the Purse (Manuscript) (1968)
• Magic by Gosh, The Life and Times of Albert Goshman by Patric by Patrick Page and Albert Goshman (1985)

Videos

• Magic by Gosh (1986, VHS, Stevens Magic Emporium)
  • The Life and Times of Albert Goshman (DVD, Magic by Gosh)
• The Albert Goshman Lecture: Live at the Kennedy (2005, DVD, International Magic)

References

• Magie (Magischer Zirkel v. Deutschland), Vol. 71, No. 4, April 1991, AL GOSHMAN, by R. Müller, page 131
• Bio-bibliographisches Lexikon der Zauberkünstler Edition Volker Huber, April 2002, Goshman, Al USA Zauberkünstler, (†1991 Kalifornien), page 134