Press Releases

For Immediate Release, 2008

"The Main Street Museum thrills to announce a traveling conspectus of artifacts and graphic works from the Chadbourne Thaumaturgium collected from the editorial pages of American newspapers and journals—spanning half a century. This engaging, entertaining and morally uplifting selection of editorial cartoons is drawn from the collection of magic-scholar Montague Chadbourne, visiting research scholar at the Main Street Museum, confidant to some of the greatest masters of 20th century magic, contributor to the Journal of Magic History (among other publications), and a practitioner of prestidigitation in his own right. Our front gallery will be hung with scores of provocative editorial cartoons, providing commentary on topical political issues and scandals, each graphic work tartly invoking the imagery and distinctive tropes drawn from the age old—oftimes folkloric—art of Magic and Sleight-Of-Hand. Mr. Chadbourne observes: “The persona of the shining wonder-worker is set against the mask of the Pol as artificer-in-extremis.” (learn less)