Richard J Kaufman

Biography

Born in 1958 in New York City, he became interested in magic at age 5 after receiving some novelties from the S.S. Adams company sent by his uncle Alan Soffin. This was followed up by a gift of several magic books. Richard's father, Lewis C. Kaufman (later president of B. Altman and Co.), also encouraged his interest by purchasing tricks at a magic shop, learning them, and demonstrating them to his son.

Richard slowly began spending time at several magic shops in New York City, among them Circle Magic run by Mike Tannen, Magic Center run by Russ Delmar, and Lou Tannen's Magic Shop run by the Tannen brothers Lou and Irv, and Tony Spina. By the age of 14 he was already inventing magic effects and he illustrated his first book at age 16 (Afterthoughts by Harry Lorayne).

He attended Queens College, and then New York University, graduating in 1981 with a double-major in both English and Acting (the latter after having studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting).

Kaufman illustrated many other books in the field through 1991, popularizing a style of cartoon-movement into technical magic illustration. He also began writing magic books, starting with the Interlocked Production of Coins in 1977. He self-published his first two modest books, then sought a partner for the financing required to publish larger books. Alan C. Greenberg, CEO of Bear Stearns, also a highly respected amateur magician, brought the financing that Kaufman required and the company Kaufman and Greenberg was born. For the next 20 years it published many of the most highly respected books in the field, capturing the sleight-of-hand methods and magic from many of the world's top magicians in printed form. In the mid-1990s, the business became Kaufman and Company and continues its successful publishing ventures.

In 1998, Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine—which had been run by the Larsen family of California since 1936, and which is the oldest continuously published independent magazine in the field of magic—was purchased by Kaufman, his wife Elizabeth, and partners Jane and Daniel Solomon. Kaufman became editor in chief and president of The Genii Corporation and the magazine continues its publication, now in both printed and digital formats. Genii also operates The Genii Forum an internet discussion group open to all and MagicPedia, the largest online encyclopedia of magic. Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine was sold to Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software in July 2017. Richard and Elizabeth Kaufman continue as Editor and Art Director.

As a highly sought-after author, Kaufman also wrote "The Project Magic Handbook" for David Copperfield; the trick section in "Mindfreaks" for Criss Angel; "Knack Magic Tricks" for Globe Pequot Press; and numerous magic instructions for premium products offered by Royal Jello, Whisk, Burger King, and Coronet Paper Products.

Recognition of Kaufman's influence as a magic illustrator is described in Chuck Romano's book, "The Art of Deception" (1997) ISBN 0-578-00752-5.

Richard Kaufman has appeared on the covers of Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine (1987); MAGIC (1993); The Magic Circular (2006); M-U-M (2011) and has given presentations at numerous magic conferences including The Los Angeles Conference on Magic History, The Magic Collectors Association, and Magic-Con 2011. He has also received numerous awards for his writing and publishing, including the Literary Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts (the Magic Castle) in 1998 (at which time he was also made a life member), the J.N. Maskelyne Award from the Magic Circle in London in 2001, and the Milbourne Christopher Award in 1995. He has also been made an honorary life member of the Society of American Magicians, and has received a president's citation from the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Mr. Kaufman also writes for the Pop Culture website Boing Boing.