History of The Order of The Magi

The Order of The Magi was founded in Manchester in 1909 and was the third magic society to be established in England, following the formation of the British Magical Society and The Magic Circle in 1905. More than a century later, the society continues to bring together magicians and magic enthusiasts from Manchester and across the North West.

The Founding of The Order of The Magi

The first meeting of The Order of The Magi took place on 11 March 1909 at the Cities Hotel on Deansgate, Manchester, attended by around 30 conjurers and magicians.

The idea for the new society came from G. W. Panter, who arranged for a notice to be displayed through Mr Waite, a local magic dealer based on Peter Street in Manchester, inviting those interested in forming a magical society to attend.

At that first meeting, G. W. Panter, M.A. was elected the society’s first President. Mr Waite became Honorary Treasurer and Librarian, while T. H. Halsall, Junr. was appointed Honorary Secretary pro tem., meaning that he initially held the position on a temporary basis.

From that meeting in a Manchester hotel began a society that has continued for more than a century, bringing together generations of amateur and professional magicians with a shared interest in the art of magic.

A Tradition of Unbroken Meetings

Since its foundation in 1909, The Order of The Magi has maintained a remarkable tradition of regular meetings, continuing through two World Wars and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meetings continued throughout both the First and Second World Wars, even as members left to serve in the armed forces and everyday life was disrupted by wartime conditions. The society’s archives contain records from these periods, including photographs of members in military uniform, which continue to be researched and catalogued.

More than a century after the society was founded, that tradition faced a very different challenge with the arrival of COVID-19. When the first UK lockdown prevented members from meeting in person, The Order moved its meetings online within days. A number of different platforms were initially tested before the society later settled on Zoom.

The online meetings provided an important way for members to remain in contact during lockdown, but they also created an unexpected opportunity. Without geographical boundaries, magicians from around the world were able to join The Order’s meetings, some as one-off visitors and others becoming regular online guests.

In this way, the society maintained its tradition of regular meetings throughout the pandemic while finding a new way for magicians to meet, share ideas and enjoy magic together.

The Magi Magazine

The society’s journal, The Magi, has played an important part in recording the activities and history of The Order of The Magi for more than a century. The first issue was published on 1 May 1910, little more than a year after the society’s first meeting.

Since then, The Magi has continued to be published without missing an edition, including throughout both World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years it has recorded society news, meetings and events alongside contributions from members on magic, performance and the wider world of conjuring.

Originally produced as a printed magazine, The Magi later moved to digital publication and continues to be produced exclusively for members of The Order of The Magi today. By the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the magazine was already being produced digitally, allowing its publication to continue while members were unable to meet together in person.

More than simply a members’ magazine, its surviving issues provide an extensive historical record of The Order of The Magi and the people, performances and events that have shaped the society since the early twentieth century.

Why Are We Called The Order of The Magi?

The name The Order of The Magi has its origins in the ancient Magi, a priestly group associated with ancient Persia. The Magi became known for their religious and ceremonial roles and were also associated with practices including astrology, divination and the interpretation of dreams.

Over the centuries, the meaning of the word developed considerably. The Greek magos and Latin magus became associated not only with the ancient Magi, but also with sorcerers and practitioners of magic. The same linguistic tradition eventually gave us familiar words including magic and magician.

It is from this long historical association between the Magi and magic that the name of The Order of The Magi derives.

Magi Magoria: The Magic of the Magi

In 1978, The Supreme Magic Company published Magi Magoria: The Magic of the Magi, a substantial collection of magic and performance material contributed by members of The Order of The Magi and edited by Knox Crichton.

Running to more than 160 pages, the book brought together a wide range of practical material, including close-up and card magic, mentalism, children’s entertainment, stagecraft, juggling, make-up and performance advice. Contributors included many familiar names from the society’s history, among them Geoffrey Buckingham, Jack Griggs, J. C. Hough, Ernie Tongue, Bayard Grimshaw and numerous other Magi members.

The book also preserved an important part of the society’s history. Bayard Grimshaw contributed Magic in Manchester, an account of the history of The Order of The Magi, while Roy Currie looked back at the 1976 Magi Day of Magic. The final pages also included a list of the society’s membership as it stood in 1976.

Now long out of print, Magi Magoria continues to appear through specialist magic dealers and the second-hand collectors’ market, providing both a collection of working magic from its era and a snapshot of The Order of The Magi and its members during the 1970s.

Generations of Magicians

Throughout its history, The Order of The Magi has brought together both amateur and professional magicians, providing a place to meet, perform, exchange ideas and share knowledge with others interested in the art of magic.

Participation has always been an important part of the society. Members have contributed to meetings, lectures, performances, competitions, publications and the running of The Order itself, passing their knowledge and experience on to successive generations of magicians.

Respect for the secrets and traditions of magic has also been an important principle throughout the society’s history. While magic and the way it is performed have changed considerably since 1909, The Order continues to encourage the study, performance and development of the art in a friendly and supportive environment.

The Centenary: 100 Years of The Order of The Magi

In 2009, The Order of The Magi celebrated its centenary, marking 100 years since the society’s foundation in Manchester in 1909. A programme of special events was organised throughout the year to celebrate the anniversary and bring together members, magicians and the wider public.

On 11 March 2009, exactly 100 years after the society’s first meeting, members celebrated with the 100th Birthday Party Show. Later that month, 150 members and guests attended a special Centenary Dinner & Cabaret, while The Wizard of Castle Magic, a family magic production at The Met in Bury, formed another part of the centenary celebrations.

The anniversary also attracted considerable media interest, with The Order and its centenary featured by the BBC, Manchester Evening News and Channel M, helping to mark a century of The Order of The Magi and its place in Manchester’s magical history.

Centenary Coverage

BBC: The Order of The Magi celebrates its centenary

Manchester Evening News: The Order of The Magi centenary celebrations

Past Presidents of The Order of The Magi

Since the foundation of The Order of The Magi in 1909, generations of members have served as President of the society. The list below records the Past Presidents of The Order, beginning with G. W. Panter, who became the society’s first President in 1909.

In Memoriam

Over its long history, The Order of The Magi has sadly said goodbye to many members who contributed to the society, its meetings and the wider world of magic.

Our In Memoriam pages remember former members of The Order and, where possible, preserve something of their lives, their magic and their contribution to the society.

Help Us Preserve Our History

Do you have photographs, programmes, newspaper cuttings, magazines or other material relating to The Order of The Magi and its history? Perhaps you were a member, attended one of our events, or have memories or material passed down by a former member.

We are continuing to research, catalogue and preserve the society’s history and would be delighted to hear from anyone who can help us add to the story of The Order of The Magi and magic in Manchester.

If you have something you think may be of interest, please get in touch.

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