International Magicians Society

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The International Magicians Society (IMS) is a magic society created by Tony Hassini to "help promote and preserve the art of magic and provide a format where magicians could share their secrets and ideas." The society gives its own "Merlin Award" to magicians on a regular basis, though this award is recognized in the wider community, its authenticity has been questioned, and critics allege that the award can increase publicity.[1][2]

History

The IMS claims on its website that it was founded in 1968, though this date has been questioned, and asserted to actually be 1994.[1] The IMS website also claims that the Merlin Award statuette, designed by Hassini, was created in 1964 by Carol Michaud, a New York University art student.

Academy Award of Magic, critics allege that it lacks much of the oversight that enhances the credibility of awards in other industries.[2][4]

Illusionist Morgan Strebler blogged that he received a Merlin Award in 2011.[5] Also in 2011, the Indian paper The Hindu wrote that magician Gopinath Muthukad was the second Indian magician to receive the award.[6] [7] In 2013, illusionist Cosentino was written up in the Tasmanian Times for receiving one.[8]

The distribution of Merlin Awards to virtually unknown magicians in relatively remote areas of the world has drawn scrutiny.[1][9] Many prominent magicians within the industry, as well as industry journalists, have now questioned the authenticity of the award.[10][1][11][12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "The Merlin Award".
  2. ^ a b Ellis, Tim. "Merlin Awards: Controversy". The Unofficial Archives of the Merlin Awards. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  3. ^ "The Merlin Award". imsmagic.com. Retrieved 2022-08-19.
  4. ^ "Merlin award Criteria- IMS". imsmagic.com. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
  5. ^ "Merlin Award 2011". morganstrebler.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
  6. ^ "2011 Merlin award winner announced" (Press release). scnow.com. Retrieved 2022-08-19.
  7. ^ "International award for Muthukad". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2011-04-05. Archived from the original on 2011-04-09. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
  8. ^ "Cosentino wins coveted Merlin Award for international magician of the year". Tasmanian Times. November 25, 2013.
  9. ^ Ridgell, Clynt. "Sandcastle's Zubrick illusionist duo win magic industries most prestigious honor | PNC News First". pacificnewscenter.com. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  10. ^ "Construction may keep tourists away - Las Vegas Review Journal". reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
  11. ^ "Pat Fallon wins Merlin AWard- Genii". geniimagazine.com. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  12. ^ "Tom Stone zum Merlin award genug ist genug (Tom Stone on the Merlin Award: Enough is enough)". Magischer Zirkel Deutschland. August 27, 2022.

External links

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