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Fredericksburg, Virginia
December 4, 2011
Mr. Stephen Christopher
Mr. Christopher,
I am writing this letter to sincerely "thank you" for creating the
wonderful online tribute website to Ted Collins that I recently found.
I also enjoyed tremendously reading your commentary therein, which in many
ways mirrored my own experiences and memories with your frequent reiteration
of "that's another story" because my story too, has so many
"that's another story" vignettes. Congratulations on your wonderful
hypnotic show; I loved watching the related YouTube videos regarding your live
performances, you rock!
As a young junior high school student in suburban Maplewood, New Jersey, I
frequently cajoled my father to drive me to Mecca Magic in East Orange,
beginning in the early 1960s. It was there, that that aura of Mecca
magic and watching Ted Collins masterfully perform cups and balls, The Panama
Rope Trick (his very own creation), the linking rings, and illusion after
illusion - hooked me like a fish to good bait on a line.
I was one of those many young child magicians who made their way down those
basement steps to perform a 10 minute audition - as the price of entry -- to
the esteemed Mecca Magic Club. I recall asking one of my then associates
one club evening, why Ted Collins was not present only to be met with the
reply: he had to attend a very special meeting with David Copperfield,
as it had become clear - that he was headed then-- for blockbuster stardom in
the magic/entertainment worlds. How lucky were we being taught magic back then
at the hand of the master Professor Ted Collins? Very lucky, we were,
indeed.
I wish Ted was still alive so that I could thank him. But I must believe
that he can hear this here and now. As many have said, Ted was a kind
and generous man and he gave much to so many through his time and caring.
He was widely respected throughout the community of magicians and still
is. He had Uber gravitas as they say nowadays. Through Ted's
teaching of Magic, he taught us so many other socially valuable life skills
that it boggles the mind to even try and list them all.
Among other things, he taught us self respect, respect for others (audiences,
too!, responsibility, storytelling skills, acting skills, manners and
fraternity and collegiality for one's colleagues and peers, planning and
organization and budgeting skills, and the joys of sharing, learning and
giving to others through entertaining them. Ted is sorely missed but he
lives on in so many of us around the world today; all the marks, of one great
professor. And I am indebted to him in so many ways, for who and what I
subsequently became in my Life through the many lessons that I learned by his
example and teachings. For one learned, something, each and every time
one came into contact with him. "Thank you" Professor Ted
Collins, we shall see you soon enough, again!
I smiled with pleasure when I saw the photo of the original sketch that you
had been able to buy at the auction, of The Professor, by the hand of the
great magic artist Ed Mischell. How lucky for you to own such a gem!
Ed's law offices were located on Springfield Avenue , the main drag in
my then hometown of Maplewood, NJ, and I had the honor and pleasure of
spending an hour with him one afternoon there discussing magic and Ted
Collins, his magic collection and his artistry. He was a very humble
man, a great trial lawyer, and one class act. His sheer brilliant
drawings filled more magic magazines than one can possibly conceive.
I was able back then, as a young teenager, to see Harry Blackstone, Jr.
perform his act on stage, as part of the Circus show held within the now
defunct Olympic Park amusement park that bordered both Irvington and
Maplewood, NJ.
I was blessed to visit the White Owl cigars pavillion at the NY Worlds Fair
(on several occasions) but where, one special day, the sun would shine on me
and my youth, to have Mark Wilson come out the back stage door, and sign an
autograph for me in my early teens, a priceless experience.
Today I am the proud owner of the poster where Mark Wilson levitates Nani
Darnell Wilson, taken in front of The Magic Castle, autographed, personalized
by both of them, a piece I treasure. Thank God they are both alive and
well and remaining active through their website and other magic-related work.
I relished takling my wife and two children to the Houdini Museum when we were
travelling through the Scranton, Pennsylvania, area, just several years ago.
Why, my children actually listened to what I had to say!
I have tremendous respect today for magic historians like Jim Steinmeyer (and
his books) and greatly admire their work in honoring the contributions of the
many who have made magic such a great thing worldwide.
While I earned some money performing at birthday parties as a child magician,
years later, I became a trick man selling magic on the weekends at the old,
now defunct Pinebrook Auction based in Pinebrook, NJ, under the tutleage of
toy store owner - the late Teddy Dell, formally known as Theodore Delmonico of
New York City. This Ted, too, taught me some new tricks and paid me
handsomely for my weekend work back then in my early high school years for
which I am likewise grateful.
Decades ago, on a West coast visit to visit my mother living out there then,
she was able to finagle some guest passes for an evening at The Magic Castle.
Given all of the aforementioned, it brought me great joy to be able to
spend an evening there with family and friends.
Please forgive my going on with all of my "that's another story" and
for letting me share my magical world with yours and thank you again for
memorializing Ted Collins as you are doing on the website. It was very
thoughtful of you, indeed. Thank you also for all that you are doing for
the world of Magic through your many talented works.
With all best wishes,
Donald G. Boudreau, Ph.D., MPA
Dr. Donald G. Boudreau
Founder and CEO
www.sanctionsunlimited.com
www.cybersanctions.com
Fredericksburg, Virginia
p.s. Mr. Christopher, of course, have my absolute permission to print none,
any or all of this letter, on your website for Ted, should you choose to do
so, your call as you see fit. D:.)
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