International Magicians Society

The International Magicians Society (IMS) is a magic society created by Tony Hassini to "help promote and preserve the art of magic and provide a format where magicians could share their secrets and ideas." The society gives its own "Merlin Award" to magicians on a regular basis, though this award is recognized in the wider community, its authenticity has been questioned, and critics allege that the award can increase publicity.[1][2]

History

The IMS claims on its website that it was founded in 1968, though this date has been questioned, and asserted to actually be 1994.[1] The IMS website also claims that the Merlin Award statuette, designed by Hassini, was created in 1964 by Carol Michaud, a New York University art student. [3] Though the IMS site claims that the Merlin Award is the Academy Award of Magic, critics allege that it lacks much of the oversight that enhances the credibility of awards in other industries.[2][4]

Illusionist Morgan Strebler blogged that he received a Merlin Award in 2011.[5] Also in 2011, the Indian paper The Hindu wrote that magician Gopinath Muthukad was the second Indian magician to receive the award.[6] [7] In 2013, illusionist Cosentino was written up in the Tasmanian Times for receiving one.[8]

The distribution of Merlin Awards to virtually unknown magicians in relatively remote areas of the world has drawn scrutiny.[1][9] Many prominent magicians within the industry, as well as industry journalists, have now questioned the authenticity of the award.[10][1][11][12]

References
  1. "The Merlin Award".
  2. Ellis, Tim. "Merlin Awards: Controversy". The Unofficial Archives of the Merlin Awards. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  3. "The Merlin Award". imsmagic.com. Retrieved 2022-08-19.
  4. "Merlin award Criteria- IMS". imsmagic.com. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
  5. "Merlin Award 2011". morganstrebler.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
  6. "2011 Merlin award winner announced" (Press release). scnow.com. Retrieved 2022-08-19.
  7. "International award for Muthukad". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2011-04-05. Archived from the original on 2011-04-09. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
  8. "Cosentino wins coveted Merlin Award for international magician of the year". Tasmanian Times. November 25, 2013.
  9. Ridgell, Clynt. "Sandcastle's Zubrick illusionist duo win magic industries most prestigious honor | PNC News First". pacificnewscenter.com. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  10. "Construction may keep tourists away - Las Vegas Review Journal". reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
  11. "Pat Fallon wins Merlin AWard- Genii". geniimagazine.com. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  12. "Tom Stone zum Merlin award genug ist genug (Tom Stone on the Merlin Award: Enough is enough)". Magischer Zirkel Deutschland. August 27, 2022.
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