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Tony Corinda
Remembered by Martin MacMillan
Tony Corinda has left the magic world with the incredible legacy of
the book '13 Steps To Mentalism'. Now published in six languages, it is
recognised worldwide as the formative book on Mentalism (imagine how many in
this field of magic have been influenced by his writings?). I can safely say
that this exalted book is to Mentalism, what 'Royal Road' is to card magic,
'Bobo' is to coin magic and the 'Tarbell Course' is to general magic and for
this I think we all owe him an incalculable debt.
Tony's first magic studio was in Berwick Street, London. He subsequently owned
shops in both Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street. Although these shops were
at street level and sold to the general public, his real love was for Mentalism
at which he was a pioneer. He wrote the 13 Steps individually and published them
one at a time as booklets between 1956 & 1958 (a clever system, as he had the
book paid for before it was fully written). He had an incredible business brain
as well as a head for magic, and retired in comfort to a reclusive lifestyle in
Norfolk.
On a personal note, Tony was a very close friend of my father's and indeed was
known as "uncle Tony" to my brother and I when we were boys, I feel as if I have
known him all my life. Whilst many will know of his talents in magic and
business, his generosity may not be so widely known and I'd like to take this
opportunity to recall just a couple of instances here...During the early
sixties, my mother was taken into hospital, Dad was busy working and money was
extremely short. Tony came back to our flat in the East End of London, where he
spent the entire weekend cleaning it immaculately; he filled the larder with
quality items the like of which we had never seen, a real treat for mum on her
return home. It's a little known story, but typical of Tony that he thought
nothing of doing this. Another occasion was when he finally closed and sold his
shops in the West End in 1975, there was one loyal worker who had little chance
of finding new employment. Tony brought 'Jaro' (James A Roberts) over to our
shop on the assurance that he would increase our sales dramatically. He even
paid his wages for a short time to prove the point. Needless to say 'Jaro'
proved to be a most loyal and incredible salesman and stayed with us for many
years until retirement. I think Tony would have continued with his shop if he
couldn't have found other employment for Jaro.
We stayed in constant touch over the years. Despite retiring to a remote part of
the country, Tony always kept an eye on the "magic scene" via the internet, and
was well aware (and often amused) whenever his name popped up on chat rooms. I
shall hugely miss the contact as his humour, even in his latter years, was
second to none.
His funeral takes place at 3.15pm on Thursday 15th July, and is being held at
the 'Mintlyn Crematorium', Lynn Road, Bawsey, PE32 1HB. Perhaps we could all
take a few moments at that time to remember him as he takes his 14th step.
I shall finish this piece in the same way that I finished many of my emails to
Tony; I'll raise a glass, and for the last time say 'Cheers T.C.'
Martin MacMillan, July 2010