Don Lawton

Don Lawton
Cover of Genii (1956)
Born	Donald Lawton March 05, 1922
Died	June 12, 1988 (age 66)
Categories	Books by Don Lawton

Don Lawton (1922-1988) was a magic dealer, lecturer, early television pitchman and a fixture at the Magic Castle.

This highly entertaining magician impacted on St. Louis for 20 years, as performer, seller and demonstrator of magic at 4 different shops. His comedic magic style also earned him extended contracts for personnel appearance and TV commercials.

Lawton started selling magic at Will Lindhorst's Magic Den, and also had a little magic shop in the back of his St. Louis home at one time. He was known for performing effects such as Disecto, the Egg Bag and Clippo. Don also sold magic at St. Louis Magic Studio and Town House Magic shop.

In 1947, Don Lawton kept busy by incorporating magic into live television advertisements for Falstaff Beer. Later, he used coffee cans to create a passé-passé trick for Old Judge Coffee. Lawton was assisted with over 50 live television commercials for Old Judge, using such props as the Milk Pitcher and the Card Duck.

For a time, he also served on the AMA Board of Directors and as host at the Magic Castle.

Awards

• St. Louis magical Heritage Award in 1995 by IBM Ring One and SAM Assembly 8.
• Recipient of the Academy of Magical Arts Stage Magician of the Year Award and a Life Achievement Fellowship.

Bilbiography

• Lines From Lawton periodical (started in the 1950s)
• Lots of Lawton (1971).
• Don Lawton's Autograph Book by Joan Lawton

References

• Cover Genii 1956 April
• Obit Genii 1988 February
• History of magic in St. Louis by Don Rataj 2011