King Copperfield Joins Roster of Magic Royalty

Inside Magic congratulates David Copperfield on his deserved ascension to the awesome position of King of Magic and awarded the “Magician of the Century” designation.

The (“”) bestowed both accolades upon the peripatetic and prolific prestidigitator.

Mr. Copperfield has earned many titles and laudatory commendations throughout his incredible career but unlike us, is not willing to rest on his laurels. The SAM’s press release notes the ever-young performer still puts in an honest day’s work by presenting his full show more than 500 times a year.

The Society previously picked him as “Magician of the Century” for the 20th Century – quite a feat considering the incredible lot of magicians that performed from 1900 through 2000.

This is the first time the Society has named a “King of Magic.”

Our U.S. Constitutional research shows Mr. Copperfield’s acceptance of this title does not run afoul of Article 1, Section 9:

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.

See, Cornell’s fantastic resource, the Legal Information Institute here..

Note,  it is a popular misconception that a more strict prohibition against titles was added to the Constitution by Amendment.  While there was a Titiles of Nobility Amendment passed by the Senate, House of Representatives, it was not ratified by the requisite number of states and is not law.

We would like to go on record as saying that even if the Titles of Nobility Amendment had been ratified and Mr. Copperfield’s acceptance of the title “King” violated that law, we would not turn him in.

The Society gave the title in recognition his efforts “to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of magic.”

However, as Inside Magic reported recently, Mr. Copperfield earned the more significant and lasting title of Father with the recent birth of his daughter, Sky. The magician and his beautiful French model girlfriend, kept Sky’s arrival under wraps for about 16 months before the lay and magic press discovered the happy news.

Under traditional rules and customs pertaining to royalty, Sky would properly be considered a Princess of Magic but Chloe Gosselin could not attain the title of Queen of Magic unless she married the then-existing King.

Additionally, we are informed by a scholar on royalty that kingship is rarely attained by talent or popular acclaim. In fact, 77.41 percent of all kings or queens attained their position simultaneously with the murder, execution, coup d’état, or suspicious disappearance of the previous monarch.
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Melbourne Christopher Lifetime Achievement to Moorehouse

Inside Magic image of Hank MoorehouseWhile enjoying the society and sorcery here in Dallas, we look forward to the next big convention on our dance card, The Society of American Magicians (“”) Convention set for July 13 – 16 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Hank Moorehouse is beloved in Michigan (home of this very magic news website) and, it seems, the rest of the world outside The Great Lakes State.

Mr. Moorehouse will receive the Milbourne Christopher Foundation Lifetime Achievement award on the final day of the convention.

Mr. Moorehouse served magic and the SAM well over the years.  He served as Executive Show producer for 16 years as well as the Society’s National President from 1981 – 1982. He clearly knows good magic when he sees it.  As a booker, he engaged more than 500 performers from around the world and brought more than 35 foreign acts to the U.S. for the first time. He was Artistic Director for the joint -SAM Convention in 2008 as well as 2009 FISM Championships in Beijing, China.
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Bruce Kalver, SAM Featured

Bruce Kalver Animates Straw DollColorado newspaper The Greeley Tribune gave great press to Society of American Magicians President Bruce Kalver in this morning’s edition.

Mr. Kalver was photographed as he used his powers to animate a small strawman.

The President was in town to present his lecture for The Town/Gown Wizards (Assembly No. 292) and The Mile High Magicians Society (Ring No. 131 / Assembly No. 37).

Mr. Kalver’s comments to the reporter reflected his excitement for our craft.

“My grandfather, who lived with us, was an assistant to Houdini and builder of his props, so I was the luckiest kid in the world, ’cause I grew up with a grandpa who was really a magician,”Kalver said.

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