Hey there, When I was living in Ca.many years ago I met a magician by the name of Frederick Broeder. Does anyone know what happened to him??? I know he had a magic shop but that was the early 90's. Brian

Ca as in CANADA or CAlifornia?

Hi there, Sorry about that. Its Southern California.I know he said he was active at the magic castle. Brian

I was Fred Broders 'Presto The Digitators' paperboy back in the late 70's and he was still a Professor at college. He later opened his Magic Shop in Long Beach. I moved to Texas in 1993 and bought some more Genii Magazines from him in '95 by having my mother buy them and send them down. I would guess, since I never really asked, that Fred would either be in his late 60's or 70's by now. You might try checking with the Magic Castle as I know he was an active member.

I first met Presto when I was a member of the Long Beach Mystics and they let us come to the Magic Castle for the day as Juniors. It was a few years later that I walked up to an apartment door to collect on the paper and discovered Presto standing in front of me. I was quite in awe of the man after seeing him at the Magic Castle, but got over it and became great friends in the ensuing years. I'll have to look up his number and see if I can get in touch and report back if I find out anything.

Doing a quick search on Google, I found a page showing a picture of Fred alive and well in 2002 apparently performing for the Lakewood Masons which is a town next door to Long Beach where he lives:

http://www.lakewoodmasons.org/Arc_1.html

Amazing what a little search will uncover. Here is contact information that should be for his shop in Long Beach:

Presto the Digitator
5701 Atlantic Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90805
(562) 428-3882

Hope this helps.

Martin

Just got off the phone with Fred and he is alive and well in Southern California. He has had his magic shop open and running now 27 years. A good long time as magic shops go. He's 72 and just got back from a cruise where he performed 4 shows. If you are looking for magic in the Long Beach, CA area stop in at the address in my previous post and tell him Martin sent you. He says he has the best stocked shop in southern california and from what he described as his level of stocking, I would have to agree. He was surprised to hear he was being talked about on the internet. Maybe if we are lucky he will find his way to our forum and can hear from him personally. I hope this has been of help to you Brian. I'm glad you made this post, I haven't talked to Fred in years and it was great touching bases with him again.

Martin

OK on this same topic anyone out there know of a magician named Westbrook? When I met him back in 76 he was working out of Spokane and was the official magician for the World's Fair there. I'd like to know what ever became of him.

Hi there Martin, Thanks for the info. Fred was the man that started me down a path of studies into sleight of hand magic. I was hoping he was still alive and want to call him and thank him for not selling me anymore prop magic until I learned some basic sleights...matter of fact he told me not to come back to his shop until I did. I have worked very hard over the last 10-12 years becuase of him. Thanks again Brian

Wait until next week to call, he said he was leaving town today for a wedding I believe. Would be gone through the weekend.

Martin

I see him just about every Friday, he's a great guy. One of the few shops still around. I went into his store for the first time about 8 years ago wanting to learn about single card and fan production after seeing McBride on tv. He sold me "Royal Road" giving me the impression the secret was in there. I read it cover to cover, didn't find anything related to McBride type magic but hooked me into serious magic. Thanks Presto, Rick

Hey there Rick, He did something similar to me. He told me he would not sell me another trick until I could vanish a coin(which he gave me .50 piece) I came back a month or 2 later trying my best not to screw up a french drop..he then sold me BOBOs coin book and again sent me on my way. I look forward to giving him a call this week. Brian

Brian, I noticed Dan Sylvester is in your line up for PCAM Convention. I think he may also credit his start to Presto. Still pops in now and then. Small world, Rick

Small world, Looking forward to hanging out with Dan. PCAM will be fun times this year. Brian