Profile

When Todd Robbins, a regular performer at the “Monday Night Magic” series, wanted a dollar bill that he could tear and restore for his act, he went straight to Tannen’s. “And they had, like, 100 different versions!” he says. At this revered shop, which opened in 1925, rabbit-producing hats, flying carpets, and saw-a-woman-in-half boxes constitute what amounts to the largest and most up-to-date collection of tricks in the world. Ask the staff of ace magicians for a demo—they can make wallets catch fire or perform Houdini’s “Metamorphosis.” Better yet, join the crowd of underemployed young magicians who hang out on Saturdays riffling though cards like speed freaks and just waiting around for an audience. That’s how the magic world’s two big Davids (Blaine and Copperfield) got their starts.

Key Departments

Costumes & Party

Crystal balls, top hats, disappearing canes, and other magicians’ essentials, including everything you need to transmute a silver coin to copper, make poker chips change color before your eyes, or poke a pen through a dollar bill without making a hole.

Related Stories

Best of New York Awards

• Best Magic Shop (2003)