William Zavis

William Maurice Zavis Template:PersonInfo was an amateur magician that worked for as a a US Foreign Service Officer.

Becoming fascinated in the art of magic after seeing the magician Joe Davis perform, he later also became interested in performance art did some work in the theater. He acted, wrote, directed and produced plays.

Although Zavis worked in the theater whenever possible, his real work was with the US Foreign Service. The job took him all over the world including South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, and Canada.

Zavis found time to contribute to various magic magazines and books over the years including Abracadabra, Arcane, Epilogue, Gen, Genii, Kabbala, Linking Ring, Magic Circular, Pabular, Phoenix, New Pentagram, New Tops, Spell Binder, Sphinx and Karl Fulves’ book "Faro and Riffle Technique".

He sold several sets of his lecture notes, published his book Divers Deceits, and wrote a follow up called Sundry Deceits which remains unpublished.

Awards

• Third place in Micromagic at the 1973 FISM
• A.I.M.C. (1974) and M.I.M.C. (1976) from the Magic Circle.

Books

• Divers Deceits (1973)

References

• Abracadabra magazine Vol. 61, No. 1574 (cover)
• [ http://conjuringarts.org/exhibitions/william-zavis-letters-by-ricky-smith/ William Zavis Letters by Ricky Smith]