Irv Weiner
(Boston, Massachusetts: 4th October 1923 - 14th December 1999)
Aka "John Avery" and "Mr. Fingers". Son of deaf-mute parents. Taught first trick by mother in 1930, then self-taught from library books. Inspired to become a pro by seeing Blackstone at age 14. Attended Chavez School in 1947 on GI Bill, graduating to become an instructor there. Owner of "Irv Weiner's Studio of Magic" in Boston 1949-55. Pro close-up, specializing in college 2-hour one-man shows. Pet effects: Vernon's Travellers, Thumb Tie.
Wrote Dabbling with Daub (1951, 7pp). Invented over 200 original effects published as "Manu-Secrets", including Soft Dice (1952), Flabbergasting! (1952), Red Tape Thumb Tie (1953), No Nest Cups & Balls (1953), Soft Dice (1954), The Travelling Salesman (1954), Just Imagination (1954), Alphabet Soup Card Trick (1955), Beyond Belief (1955), Red Tape (1955), Guillo Card (1956), and The Prophet’s Beard (1957, with Ray Hyman). Tricks in Genii, New Jinx, MUM, Linking Ring, etc.
