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lindz wrote:I actually got given about 100 of these mags a couple of years back dating from the 50s right through to the 90s which is when I presumed that they discontinued so even thoe I'm dissapointed I have already grieved which doesen't make it so bad. Excellent information in most of them thoe with some top names of the day.

That's very fortunate. Make sure you look after them.

First the bad news:
Abra was reviewed in this forum several years ago, and the general consensus was that it's quality had declined over the years.

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic22305. ... light=abra


Now the good news:
It appears that rumours of Abra's demise might be premature. The web page below announced that Davenport's handed over the magazine to Stephen Martin on March 29th 2009. The report describes Mr. Martin as "an independant magical enthusiast and entrepreneur."

http://itricks.com/news/?p=7497

But if you read Walt's editorial and the Davenports family statement in this week's edition of Abra (March 28th 2009) you will see that the sale to Stephen Martin fell through "at the 11th hour".

It is such a shame as Abra was a great little mag that cost just £1 and did keep many people informed of what was going on.

Obviously not enough people were interested though as it would appear (from reading Walt's editorial this week) that for some time the Davenport family have been bankrolling it.

Hopefully someone will come along and take on the challenge though.

I am working on something... That may fill the gap... Although I think, unless someone buys it from the davenports, the name abra is no longer

Replicant wrote:

lindz wrote:I actually got given about 100 of these mags a couple of years back dating from the 50s right through to the 90s which is when I presumed that they discontinued so even thoe I'm dissapointed I have already grieved which doesen't make it so bad. Excellent information in most of them thoe with some top names of the day.

That's very fortunate. Make sure you look after them.

Trust me there like my holy grail probably the most important thing I have within all my magic equipment there just packed with excellent advice.

Trust me there like my holy grail probably the most important thing I have within all my magic equipment there just packed with excellent advice.

I agree. Abra may have had a 'home made' feel to it over the years but it was an incredible resource and should have been essential reading for anyone interested in magic.

Thankfully I have a sizeable collection from the 80's, 90's and the past few years.

About 20 years ago somone came up with an intersting take on 'the assitants revenge' and published their idea in Abra. For a few quid I made up their version and used it in many shows.

It's a sad time for the world of magic at the moment.

naquada wrote:I am working on something... That may fill the gap... Although I think, unless someone buys it from the davenports, the name abra is no longer

Print publishing is a tough place to be right now, largely because of the internet.

you would have thought a few magic shops would go into business together, keep the magazine and brand together, bung a few more adverts in it and keep the poor mag going...

May be part of the problem is people like me know nothing about this publication, never heard if it.
Now, if I had I might have subscribed.

FRK wrote:May be part of the problem is people like me know nothing about this publication, never heard if it.
Now, if I had I might have subscribed.

FRK makes a good point! I have also never heard of this magazine until people are mourning its loss.

FRK wrote:May be part of the problem is people like me know nothing about this publication, never heard if it.
Now, if I had I might have subscribed.

And, therein, possibly lies the answer.

One of the riskiest businesses to open is a restaurant. I recall reading a study that the reason was they were often opened by chefs. They cooked a good meal, but ran a lousy business and marketed their restaurant even worse.

I suspect that Abra was run by magicians. No offence, but sales and marketing is not usually the strong point of people in the entertainment business.

I have to admit that I recall buying it as a kid in England, but forgot all about it until this thread started. And ... I scour the web for magic related stuff, so they were well hidden!

I don't think Abra was up with the times. They had no website or e-mail address when I dealt with Donald Bevan a few years ago.

I feel quite sad. I was brought up with Abra when I started as a young person in magic. And it has only just died when I am much, much older.

I thought this was one magazine that would go on for ever. I am also shocked that anyone in British magic nowadays have never heard of it. In my day EVERBODY knew Abra.

abra was one of my first resources when I first got into magic around ten years back and I have had a few subscriptions to it during that period. It was a great magazine, although I agree that the quality fluctuated.

The problem is that their business model just doesn't make sense anymore. Back when it started it was the only way for most magicians to get regular updates, but with forums like this and Duncan Trillo's MagicWeek, that information is now readily available. The overheads for a weekly magazine must be huge and so with the rise of the internet it iis no surprise that Abra is no more.

Maybe this would be a good time for Mr Trillo to overhaul the format for MagicWeek to help fill the gap left by Abra.

So we are nearly three weeks after the last edition of Abra being published - anyone who subscribed had their refund yet?

I don't want to sound mean but as I only renewed at Christmas I am looking at around £40 being returned.

Not had mine yet. Anyone?