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Ted Collins

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Ted Collins
BornFrederick A. Collins
1919
DiedAugust 23, 1993
CategoriesBooks by Ted Collins

Ted Collins (1919-1993), born Frederick A. Collins, was a magician, magic teacher, and owner of Mecca Magic Shop in Bloomfield, New Jersey and published under Mecca Magic Studios.

Biography

Collins spoke of becoming hooked on magic after seeing Harry Houdini. He started performing while in kindergarten. During WW II, Collins was assigned to an entertainment group where he put together shows to entertain the troops.

He was an inventor of many packet effects and improvements to existing effects

Collins was one of the founding members of IBM Ring 106 of which he was President from 1953-1954. He was a founding member of the Magic Dealers Association and in 1966 Collins was President of the Magician's Alliance of Eastern States. He also ran the Mecca Magic Club for 20 years. One member of this club went on to have a little bit of fame, David Copperfield.

Collins was also one of the first trustees of the Jim Gerrish's Wiz Kids, Inc., an organization of inner-city school students.[1][2]

Contributions

Books

  • The Book of Magic (1916)
  • The Book of Puzzles (1927)
  • Myrth and Mysteries (1931)
  • Wax Fax (1953)

References

  1. Linking Ring November, 1993: Broken Wand
  2. Tribute to Ted Collins