Help us get to over 8,748 articles in 2024.

If you know of a magician not listed in MagicPedia, start a New Biography for them. Contact us at magicpediahelp@gmail.com

Grdina

From Magicpedia, the free online encyclopedia for magicians by magicians.
Revision as of 11:02, 29 March 2011 by Philippe billot (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search
Grdina
BornJohn J. Grdina
May 26 1885
Austria
DiedMay 2, 1975 (age 89)
Cleveland, Ohio
Grdina was a professional magicians at the age of 21, who left showbiz after a dozen years to become a banker.

Grdina came to America at the age of 5 and received his education in the Catholic schools in Cleveland, Ohio.

After leaving school, at the age of 15, he became a printer's apprentice. Three years later he became the owner and publisher of a daily and Sunday paper. After three years of publishing, he sold his plant and business, accepting a position in a bank. During his spare time he studied magic. On Feb. 12th, 1907, he married Miss Minnie M. Riedel, who became his assistant. Their first public magical performance was given on Feb. 17th, 1907.[1]

In 1920, The Cleveland Magicians Club was formed and Grdina was one of the founders. He became known as the Dean of Cleveland Magicians. [2]

During his forty some years in magic, he has instructed and built acts for more than 25 magicians.[3] Blackstone never performed his Dancing Handkerchief in Cleveland without publicly announcing he was taught the trick by Grdina. [4]

Grdina retired from banking in 1959 at age 74 and started offering free shows for orphans and the aged. He was active until his death.[5]

References

  1. cover American Magician September 1911
  2. The Linking Ring for October, 1960
  3. JOHN J. GRDINA By Dell O'Dell in Linking Ring January 1947
  4. Obit Linking Ring June 1975 and MUM July 1975
  5. Linking Ring April 1962