Mine was David Copperfield at the Spokane Opera House. He did the buzz saw. I got a coloring book there but it didn't have any tricks in it.

Ricciardi at the Felt Forum (NYC)He cut a lady in half and the 1st few rows , we were invited up on stage to witness up close and personal. I was a kid. Interesting that through the ventilation system, they produced a smell, an antiseptic type as I recall, there was blood during the cutting and it was a strong illusion. But as a kid, wow, never forgot that experience.

In first grade in the cafeteria. Must have been a school show magician. All I remember was Run Rabbit Run. He suckered all the kids in the cafeteria.

Harry Blackstone, Sr. around 1953. My father worked at The Statler/now Washington Hilton hotel. I was about 7 or 8 years old. Blackstone was hired to perform at the employee Christmas party.
Near the end of his show, he produced a small white rabbit and gave it away to one of the children. I can remember really wanting that rabbit.

Ken Griffin, around 1960, when my wife and I were Bert and His assistants for a month, traveling all over Calif. And became good friends . Later my Wife assisted Harry Blackstone Sr. once at the Castle and once in a SAM (Hollywood) meeting. He often called me his Son, at the time JR. and I looked alike (befor our beards ). Have now, photos of all, on my den wall. What fun.