About Us
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| American Museum of Magic |
| The American Museum of Magic Lund Memorial Library |
Photo Courtesy of Doug Collins
The Museum's purpose today is
what it has always been: to educate
the public, to preserve historic
artifacts of the craft, to inspire
magic lovers, to establish a
resource for scholars and to
celebrate the men and women who
have been purveyors of wonder
throughout the ages, the
magician-entertainer
what it has always been: to educate
the public, to preserve historic
artifacts of the craft, to inspire
magic lovers, to establish a
resource for scholars and to
celebrate the men and women who
have been purveyors of wonder
throughout the ages, the
magician-entertainer
The American Museum of Magic is devoted to magic as entertainment , not the occult.
Nearly a million items from the 16th century to the present day are contained in the two buildings the
museum occupies in the Historic District of Marshall, Michigan, a pleasant and charming town midway
between Chicago and Detroit.
Nearly a million items from the 16th century to the present day are contained in the two buildings the
museum occupies in the Historic District of Marshall, Michigan, a pleasant and charming town midway
between Chicago and Detroit.
Photo Courtsey of Jim Klodzen
Although its name is "American" the museum represents
magicians throughout the world, containing authentic
specimens of illusions equipment, advertising, lithographs,
posters, publicity, conjuring apparatus, props, scrapbooks,
route books, films, videotapes, recordings, letters
photographs, traveling cases, trunks, costumes, magic sets,
figurines, artwork, graphics, sculptures, personal items and
extensive memorabilia of other kinds.
magicians throughout the world, containing authentic
specimens of illusions equipment, advertising, lithographs,
posters, publicity, conjuring apparatus, props, scrapbooks,
route books, films, videotapes, recordings, letters
photographs, traveling cases, trunks, costumes, magic sets,
figurines, artwork, graphics, sculptures, personal items and
extensive memorabilia of other kinds.
Some 15,000 books related to conjuring are in the Museum library, as are thousands of magic
periodicals. Unique is the special archive on little-known magic practitioners as well as the big-time
stars. Popular attractions are the original "Milk can" and the "Overboard Box" escape equipment used
by Houdini. The Irving Desfor collection of Photographs number some 20,000. There are many
manuscripts of published book on the art. A 500 pound bronze sculpture group showing the Le grand
David troupe in action is one of three in existence.
periodicals. Unique is the special archive on little-known magic practitioners as well as the big-time
stars. Popular attractions are the original "Milk can" and the "Overboard Box" escape equipment used
by Houdini. The Irving Desfor collection of Photographs number some 20,000. There are many
manuscripts of published book on the art. A 500 pound bronze sculpture group showing the Le grand
David troupe in action is one of three in existence.
The museum is built around the collection of Robert
Lund, one of the world's foremost magic collectors.
His accumulation was called the "largest such
collection in private hands." Thanks to ongoing
acquisitions since the museum opened, the collection
has expanded far beyond its original size.
Lund, one of the world's foremost magic collectors.
His accumulation was called the "largest such
collection in private hands." Thanks to ongoing
acquisitions since the museum opened, the collection
has expanded far beyond its original size.
After lengthy renovations by Robert Lund and his
wife Elaine, the first building opened to the public
April 1st 1978. Robert Lund himself passed away in
1995. The second building, the vacated former
Marshall Public Library, was purchased by Elaine
Lund in 1999.
wife Elaine, the first building opened to the public
April 1st 1978. Robert Lund himself passed away in
1995. The second building, the vacated former
Marshall Public Library, was purchased by Elaine
Lund in 1999.
Since Elaine Lund's passing in 2006 the museum
operates governed by a board of directors and is a
non-profit corporation.
operates governed by a board of directors and is a
non-profit corporation.
Photo Courtesy of Jim Klodzen
| Photo Courtesy American Museum of Magic |
| Copyright 2008 American Museum of Magic, Inc.- American Museum of Magic Lund Memorial Library. All Rights reserved. |
Bequest in wills are tax-deductible as allowed by
the Internal Revenue Code.
Donations are always accepted and welcomed.
The museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
and your gifts is tax deductible to the extent allowed
by law.
Click here to Donate
the Internal Revenue Code.
Donations are always accepted and welcomed.
The museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
and your gifts is tax deductible to the extent allowed
by law.
Click here to Donate