There is a large museum in Marshall, Michigan that houses a lot of information about magic, magic paraphernalia, and illusions, many of which were the possessions of Harry Blackstone, Sr.  This is the largest museum of magic in the country and it’s open to the public.  If you’ve never visited it, it is well worth the trip.

Their collection is extensive and contains items from famous magicians as well as obscure ones.  And the museum is really a celebration of the art form of magic, as well as the devotion of the magician to his or her craft.

Some of the specific items in the museum are 2,009 heralds, handbills, and window cards, 587 showbills, and over 5,000 programs, 10,000 books, 24,000 magazines, 46,000 photos and many letters.  There are also many sets from old shows, props, and scrapbooks from many magicians.  Including the “Milk Can” and “Overboard Box” used by Harry Houdini himself.

There are over a half million items there that are spread out among 3 floors.  The collection also includes memorabilia from thousands of lesser known artists.  David Copperfield actually calls this museum “one of his favorite places on earth”.

Everything here was put together by the late Robert Lund, a Detroit area writer, who was obsessed with Magic and Magic memorabilia.  So much so that opened the museum in 1978 with the assistance of his wife, Elaine.  Robert studied the art of magic for many many years but soon became clear that he lacked the talent and stage presence to really make a living from the performance side.  So he decided instead to leave his mark on the world of magic by collecting the largest collection of magic memorabilia, determined to collect everything he possibly could from the world of magic.

The museum is housed in a Victorian building which was many things before becoming the museum.  It was immaculately restored by the Lunds.

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