If Oscar Wilde and Edgar Allen Poe joined forces to create a museum, gallery and retail store, then it would look like The Wilde Collection. Nestled in The Heights, a suburb near downtown Houston, this eclectic emporium of the eccentric is more than macabre. Lawyer B. Douglas, the artist-in-residence, manager and one of the proprietors, creates some of the most unusual objects 'd art that you can imagine. Well, I doubt you could imagine like him. For many of his creations come from his...nightmares.

One can spend hours at The Wilde Collection perusing through all of the unusual pieces in every little nook and corner. Some of the items are sold there on consignment from other artists and collectors while other pieces are creations of Lawyer and still others are not available for sale, but there for observing. In a way, it's kind of like visiting the home of the Addams Family.

This special Halloween podcast focuses on the Wilde Collection and its curator, Lawyer B. Douglas for a variety of reasons. There are several things that drew me to recording this podcast not the least of witch...I mean, "which" is that Lawyer is also interested in Bizarre Magic, of course. Another reason this is being featured is because of the seance that they will host on Sunday, October 30th. I was to be involved, but due to another performance engagement, I couldn't make it, but my cohort in the occult, Jamie Salinas, will conduct the seance. It will be for a limited group of 80 living souls who will try to contact the "Willow Witch" of The Heights. If you would like to contribute to the "legend" of the "Willow Witch", then please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thewildecollection/ and tell your story.

Owner, Lawyer B. Douglas gives us a tour of the Wilde Collection in The Heights near downtown Houston, TX

Time Stamps for this podcast:

00:03:46 - Lawyer B. Douglas talks about his background being born of a Mexican mother (who is a Curandero) and brought up Catholic and an African American father who has several voo-doo priestesses on his side of the family. After you hear his story, then you can better appreciate where he is coming from and how he came to hold the beliefs he now has. But Lawyer also talks about how he became to learn and enjoy "Bizarre Magik", too.

01:05:53 - "Burn Notice by Takel" is a switching device for a folded playing card and highly recommended.

01:09:31 - "At The Table with Andi Gladwin" is a wonderful lesson in how to get more gigs by using marketing tips to upgrade your website and use social media plus approaching groups, wedding magic and of course, a few great tricks sprinkled in for good measure. Recommended

01:13:30 - "Cold Cash by John T. Sheets" from Kozmo Magic is a wonderful DVD (including the necessary something to make the gimmicks) that is well worth the price to perform a transformation of currency in the hands of your volunteer. Recommended.

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279: The Cardini Connection with Randy Pitchford

Randy Pitchford is the nephew of Richard Valentine Pitchford, who was better known as Cardini. More than just a familial connection, Randy is also a performer, entrepreneur and successful businessman. Randy is the CEO and President of Gearbox Software located in Frisco, Texas (a northern suburb of Dallas).

Randy purchased much of the Cardini collection from the 2013 Potter & Potter auction and put the bulk of the exhibit in a museum at the Magic Castle. His most recent purchase may have the furthest reaching impact in our community: he is the new owner of Genii Magazine.

Randy is building a home designed to be like Brookledge, the home of Bill and Irene Larsen in Los Angeles. He even plans to present regular shows for the public in his home not unlike the Bookledge Follies.

Magician Cardini performing in 1957

Cardini (Richard Pitchford) performing coins and cards for some lucky people on a cruise. This rare footage was shot by Dr. Morris Young, and hasn't been seen for 50 years. Edited and restored by Magicbymax Steven Max Droge Productions.

Borderlands 2 creator Randy Pitchford (President and Co-founder, Gearbox Studios) gives his keynote speech at the 2013 D.I.C.E. SUMMIT. Titled "Video Games Are Magic". Brought to you by Variety and Machinima. The D.I.C.E.

Randy Pitchford was born in 1971 and Richard "Cardini" Pitchford died in 1973 so Randy has no recollection of his uncle. In this podcast, Randy talks about the acquisition of his Cardini artifacts plus some stories that were passed down to Randy from the family and friends. He also talks about his experience in his early years of performing at the Magic Castle and his personal relationship with the late Irene Larsen.

Also, he briefly talks about his recent acquisition of Genii magazine from Richard Kaufman; however, since the details have not been fleshed out, there are not many details to share. At this point, I understand that no change of any kind is envisioned for the immediate future of the magazine. Randy just wants to preserve this part of magic history and make sure of the longevity, viability and vitality of Genii far into the future so it can "live on forever."

Here is the photo taken by Michael Wilcoxen, the winner of the contest, with the framed Peau -Doux card he received as he has it displayed in his home.

This is the framed fan of Peau Doux manipulations cards (used by Cardini) that was presented by Randy Pitchford to David Copperfield. This is NOT the number of cards nor type of frame that will be sent to the winner of the contest (which is now ende… — This is the framed fan of Peau Doux manipulations cards (used by Cardini) that was presented by Randy Pitchford to David Copperfield. This is NOT the number of cards nor type of frame that will be sent to the winner of the contest (which is now ended). The contest here was for one framed card (probably without the brass plaque) and I'm uncertain of the type of framing that Randy will prepare.

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A Podcast for Magicians, About Magicians, Hosted by a Full Time Professional Magician, Scott Wells

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328: Wilde Man, Wilde

279: The Cardini Connection with Randy Pitchford

The Magic Word