That's a real electric saw that Adam, magician and co-owner of tannen's Magic Shop, is holding. And that's me lying on the table, about to be sawed in half. All of this magic and more went down when Brayden and I visited Tannen's—New York's oldest magic shop. Founded by Louis Tannen, the store has catered to novice and professional magicians, and mesmerized Squibs like me, since 1925. In addition to selling the craziest array of illusions, Tannen's holds a magic camp upstate each year. The camp was started in 1974 and boasts alumni and guests like David Blaine, David Copperfield, Steve Cohen, Adrien Brody, Jason Alexander (yes, George does magic), Jeff McBride, and Vito Lupo.
While Brayden wandered around the store shooting (and occasionally muttering to himself, "This place is SO cool"), I chatted with Adam about all the magical greats—Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, Houdini, Howard Thurston, Harry Kellar, Harry Blackstone (Jr. and Sr.), Doug Henning—and got an education. Want to know more? Just go by the shop; there are always four or so magicians on hand to knock your socks off with tricks and info. Check out the card tricks, vintage magic manuals and catalogs, DVDs, magic coins, and the stuffed bunny, and watch the canon illusion (not trick) in the video below!
Photos by Brayden Olson
![]()
No fear: Adam holding the saw and me on the table.
![]()
![]()
Harry Potter, eat your heart out.
![]()
![]()
So, this is a lightbulb that can read minds. I chose a card and put it into a deck and the deck was then split into three piles. I held the globe over each deck and it would pulse brighter over the pile that held my card.
![]()
Commerative medals from Tannen's Magic Jubilee, an annual event established in 1960.
![]()
Adam pulling down some old tricks. There are hundreds scattered along the walls.
![]()
Yikes!
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Rodeo clown Mark Wilson, Louis Tannen, and Danielle Wilson
![]()
Magical screensaver
![]()
![]()
![]()
While Brayden wandered around the store shooting (and occasionally muttering to himself, "This place is SO cool"), I chatted with Adam about all the magical greats—Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, Houdini, Howard Thurston, Harry Kellar, Harry Blackstone (Jr. and Sr.), Doug Henning—and got an education. Want to know more? Just go by the shop; there are always four or so magicians on hand to knock your socks off with tricks and info. Check out the card tricks, vintage magic manuals and catalogs, DVDs, magic coins, and the stuffed bunny, and watch the canon illusion (not trick) in the video below!
Photos by Brayden Olson
No fear: Adam holding the saw and me on the table.
Harry Potter, eat your heart out.
So, this is a lightbulb that can read minds. I chose a card and put it into a deck and the deck was then split into three piles. I held the globe over each deck and it would pulse brighter over the pile that held my card.
Commerative medals from Tannen's Magic Jubilee, an annual event established in 1960.
Adam pulling down some old tricks. There are hundreds scattered along the walls.
Yikes!
Rodeo clown Mark Wilson, Louis Tannen, and Danielle Wilson
Magical screensaver
