Michael J. Amico papers

Collection — Box: 1-4

Identifier: 93.7077

Collection Scope and Content Note

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This collection of papers documents Michael J. Amico's semi-professional career as a close-up magician. It includes items relating to the practice of magic in the Rochester, New York, area; magic trick instructions; publications and promotional materials; magic event materials; and national and local magic organization material. Also included are personal papers of Michael J. Amico.

Items of particular interest to researchers include a Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) membership application with the history, scope, and purpose of the organization; election and nomination ballots for the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.); and a document used for the purpose of contracting the services of a magician named Sherms.

The collection has been arranged into five series. The physical materials are housed in four boxes. Additional scope and content information can be found under the "Collection Inventory" section of the finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 1920-1981

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library and archives.

Biographical Note

Michael J. Amico was a semi-professional magician from the Rochester area and was active in this pursuit from the late 1960s until his death in 2009. Amico performed at annual Magic Alliance of Western New York gatherings and the Second Annual Mohawk Valley Magic Day; served as emcee for various magic shows; appeared as a guest lecturer at the Close Encounters of the Magic Kind magic show; and appeared on Dante’s Magic Show. In 2004, he performed at the invitation-only convention for close-up magic, Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic in Batavia, New York

Amico was an officer in the International Brotherhood of Magicians, was president of The Society of American Magicians Rochester Assembly 47 from 1972 to 1973, and was instrumental in the local Society of Junior Magicians, teaching young, aspiring magicians the art of close-up magic.