Scope of the Collection
What We Collect
The Upchurch Collection of Magic is actively acquiring material that helps preserve the history, personalities, craftsmanship, performance, and culture of the magical arts.
We are interested in historically meaningful material from both celebrated performers and important working magicians whose careers help document the development of the art.
Material
Objects of Interest
Subject Areas
Historical Areas of Interest
Golden Age stage magic
Escapology
Classic American stage illusion
British magic history
Vaudeville
Close-up magic
Card magic
Mentalism
Magic literature and education
Television magic
Las Vegas magic
Modern touring illusion
International magic
Magic inventors and builders
Tennessee and Mid-South magic history
Modern Magic
Contemporary Performers
The collection also seeks material directly from living performers, so that modern magic history is preserved while it is being created.
Performers are encouraged to select an object they feel best represents their own career.
Material from contemporary performers — whether a retired prop, a signed program, a tour poster, or a piece of production material — helps ensure that the story of magic in our own time is documented for future generations.
The collection does not publish a list of living performers being approached for acquisition.
Have Material to Share?
Help Build the Collection
If you have material that may be of interest, we welcome your inquiry.
Contribute to the Collection