This Fall, It’s Magic at
The College of New Rochelle’s Castle Gallery

NEW ROCHELLE, NY, August 17, 2007 – This fall, The College of New Rochelle’s (CNR) Castle Gallery will present The Art of Magic: Magic Memorabilia from the Collection of Nelson Nicholson. The exhibit, curated by Jennifer Zazo and featuring memorabilia from the Golden Age of Magic (1890s – 1930s), will run from September 9 through November 11, with an opening reception to take place on Sunday, September 16, 2007, from 2 – 4 p.m. 

Nelson Nicholson, a member of the Society of American Magicians, the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the London Magic Circle, is a prominent collector of magic memorabilia. As Nicholson evolved from performer to historian of magic, his collection expanded to include lithograph posters, broadsides, antiquarian books, periodicals, photographs, autographs, apparatus, ephemera and memorabilia. While many magicians are represented in this exhibit, including Harry Houdini, the primary emphasis is on William Robinson, Harry Houdini’s assistant who became a notable magician in his own right while performing under the stage name of Chung Ling Soo. Included in this exhibit are several of Ling Soo’s lithograph posters, which are well known for their aesthetic appeal. The Art of Magic also showcases female magicians, the family business of magic and traveling shows, while concurrently paying tribute to other magic legends such as Mortimer, Kellar, Thurston, Brindamour and Powell.

The Castle Gallery was established in 1980 as an art resource for the entire community. Dedicated to teaching and committed to providing a rich diversity of art experiences, the Gallery serves school groups and art lovers from throughout Westchester County and the New York Metropolitan area with innovative exhibits, lectures, and programs. The Gallery is located on the main campus of CNR, 29 Castle Place, New Rochelle, NY. Castle Gallery Hours: Tues., Thurs. & Fri., 10 am to 5 pm, Wed., 10 am to 8 pm, Sat. and Sun., 12 to 4 pm. It is closed Mondays and major national holidays. For additional information, tours, and directions to CNR, please call (914) 654-5423 or go to www.cnr.edu/cg.htm.