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William W. Larsen, Sr.

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William W. Larsen, Sr.

GeniiCoverV17N12.jpg


Cover of Genii (1953)
BornWilliam Walter Larsen
December 31, 1904
Green Bay, Wisconsin
DiedJuly 5, 1953 (age 48)
NationalityAmerican
Known forGenii magazine
CategoriesBooks by William W. Larsen, Sr.

William W. Larsen, Sr. (1904-1953), born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, gave up a practice as a criminal attorney in Pasadena, California to be an entertainer at resort hotels. [1]

Biography

Larsen was the founder and editor of Genii magazine with his wife Gerrie Larsen. He also created the idea of a "magician's club" which his two sons William Larsen, Jr. and Milt Larsen eventually brought to life as The Magic Castle. Bill and Milt also created the "It's Magic" stage shows.

J. Mark Hall[2] and Dale Williams[3] were pseudonyms he used when publishing routines in early years of Genii during the 1930s. Irving Joslyn is also a possible pseudonym.

Larsen died of a cerebral hemorrhage due to alcoholism.

Publications

  • The L.W. Card Mysteries, with T. Page Wright (1928)
  • The L.W. Pocket and Parlor Mysteries, with T. Page Wright (1928)
  • The L.W. Mysteries for Children, with T. Page Wright (1928)
  • The L.W. Mental and Spirit Mysteries, with T. Page Wright(1929)
  • Magically An Idea or Two (1933)
  • Camp Show Conjuring (editor) (1943)
  • Radio and Nite Club Mindreading (with Ormond McGill - 1944)
  • Twelve Illusionettes (1946)
  • The Mental Mysteries and Other Writings of William W. Larsen Sr. (1977)

References

  1. Genii 1953 August
  2. MUM DECEMBER, 1956, page 296
  3. 25 years ago in Genii, Genii 1962 June