Mr. Fingers: The Magic of Irv Weiner

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Irv Weiner

Born: October 4, 1923 Boston, Massachusetts
Died: December 14, 1999 (age 76) Needham, Massachusetts

Irv Weiner (1923-1999), also known as John Avery, performed as "Mr. Fingers" and was the owner of Irv Weiner's Studio of Magic.

Weiner did performances of magic and mentalism in the mid and late 20th century. In the 1980's he was listed as one of the most wanted performers on college campuses. Born and raised in the Boston area, his parents were deaf mutes which taught him miming skills. He was also a protege of Silent Mora and was a founder of the Boston "Silent Mora Ring" #122 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

He was a graduate and teacher at Chavez College and editor for over four years of the Silent Messenger. Weiner was also a columnist for many national publications including Hugard's Magic Monthly and The New Jinx.

Contents
1 Biography
2 Awards
3 Manuscripts & Marketed Tricks
4 References

Biography
Irving (Irv) Weiner's parents were both deaf mute and used American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate. When Irv used ASL on the play ground other children would pick on him calling him Mr. Fingers. He later adopted this name as his stage persona.

Irv met his wife, Ruth, while playing cards with Sarah, Ruth's mother. According to Ruth, Irv always said, "I always thought Sarah's daughter was beautiful but she was too tall for me. Then one day she took her heels off." The parents of three children: Carol, Alan, and Cheryl the couple made their home in Needham, MA where they both eventually passed away. When Carol, the oldest, passed away from in Irv's arms when she was five. This drove Irv toward alcohol. He struggled for years but eventually achieved sobriety. Knowing he had the ability to reach many through the use of his performances Mr. Fingers primarily performed at colleges and focused his shows on the 'illusions' of alcohol and drug addiction. Irv W. died with 32 years of sobriety.

He was nominated for sleight of hand magician of the year (year unknown). His last performance was at his daughter, Cheryl's, wedding in front of all of his grand children, Sarah, Charlie, Katie, and Daniel. Irv, born with juvenile diabetes suffered from dementia in his later life. Irv passed away from complications of Type I diabetes in 1999.

Awards
"The Man of the Year Award" by the S.A.M. Assembly #9 for his performances at the local V.A. hospitals (1972)
Nominated by the Academy of Magical Arts as "LECTURER OF THE YEAR" 1978

Manuscripts & Marketed Tricks
BLOCK BUSTERS (1987)
BLOCKS OF BLUE (1967)
CRAZY, HUH
CUT CONTROL (1952)
DABBLING WITH DAUB (1951)
DIABOLICAL DIGITS (1980)
THE ELUSIVE THREE (1952)
EVER-READY RISING CARDS (1952)
FACE-UP ACES
FLABBERGASTING (1952)
FOUR LETTER WORDS (1974)
FRANK LANE'S GRANDFATHER TRICK [STAGE SIZE]
FRANK LANE'S GRANDFATHER TRICK [POCKET SIZE]
IMPROMPTU IMPRESSION (1948)
INVISIBLE TRANSPOSITION
JUST IMAGINATION (1954)
LAST WORD BOOK TEST (1980)
MIRACLE MOVE (1951)
MIRACLE MOVE MENTALISM (1981)
MIRACLE PRINCESS CARD TRICK (1986)
NEW BALLS TO HAT (1952)
ORIGINAL IMPROMPTU 'NO-NESTING' CUPS & BALLS (1952)
PATRIOTIC CUPS & BALLS (1951)
PERFECTED NESTED BOXES (1952)
RED TAPE THUMB TIE (1955)
SOFT DICE (1953)
SPONGE BALL ROUTINE (1963)
STRING A RING (1952)
TRIPLE TRANSPOSITION (1952)

References
The New Jinx, Vol. 1, No. 6, October 1962, Food For thought, Irv Weiner, page 21 "Pro"fil, page 23
MUM Vol. 62, No. 5, October 1972, Irving Weiner Honored, page 22
Cover, M-U-M, Vol. 67, No. 12, May 1978, Irv Weiner is Mr. Fingers, magician-of-the-month, by David R. Goodsell, page 12
An Evening with Irv Weiner By B. Falkner in Linking Ring, Vol. 56, No. 2, February 1976.
Cover, The Linking Ring, No. 63, No. 9, September 1983, Our Cover, Irv Weiner, page 40
Cover, M-U-M, Vol. 81, No. 9, February 1992, Irv "Mr. Fingers" Weiner, Wo is this Irv Weiner, page 12
The Linking Ring, Vol. 80, No. 2, February 2000, Broken Wand, Irving "Irv" Weiner, page 129
M-U-M, Vol. 89, No. 9, February 2000, Broken Wands, Irving Weiner, by David Goodsell, page 44
http://forums.geniimagazine.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43119&p=290820

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Irv Weiner was a force to be reckoned with in the North American Magic scene. He’s influenced some of the most influential magicians of the twentieth century. Magicians like Michael Ammar, Christopher Carter, and David Regal. Irv Weiner’s show was a powerhouse on college campuses. Not only will you learn incredible tricks, but this book is filled with essays, private scrapbooks, Irv’s lecture notes, and a complete walk-through of his legendary stage set. With over 80 tricks and sleights, this book covers everything from magic with cards, coins, napkins, rope, cigarettes, eggs, sponges, mentalism, cups & balls, and includes tricks for close-up and stage. Even some of Irv’s legendary effects, like his Red Tape Thumb Tie is covered in loving detail.

Foil-Stamped Cloth Hardcover w/ Dust Jacket
8.5 x 11 Trim Size
338 Pages
B&W and Color Photos

This is the definitive work of a legend who performed thousands of shows all over the country. The book isn’t just a reprint of his private journals. It includes contributions from his friends and contemporaries so that you can gain a deep understanding of this incredible performer. It’s packed with performance theory and historical context so that you can get a real sense for the magic in the age it was developed and performed in. It also includes a detailed account of his life. You are about to learn so much about one of the most underrated master magicians. One of the most sought-after acts in the 70’s and 80’s now has all his secrets shared with you.

NEW, HC w/dj, 340 wonderful pages