
Laurie Ireland
(Minnesota, USA: 1899 - 27th April 1954) Joined circus in teens (1915) when his job was "cranking the apparatus for a floating lady illusion". Demonstrator in Berg's "Princess Magic Shop" in Chicago 1925-26, except the summers when he traveled with a carnival, operating the weight-guessing concession. Then since 1926 a full-time pro dealer in Chicago (Ireland Magic Shop). In 1940 married Frances Ireland, who continued the business after his death from cirrhosis of the liver.
Invented the Ireland Thimble Holder, Cage of Ophira, Multiplying Golf Balls (by 1931), the red-black shuffle (by 1935), and Jo-Ann Duck (by 1937).
Wrote Ireland Writes a Book [1931, 35pp], Exclusive Magic From Our Notebook [1933, 22pp, with King], etc. Edited Ireland Yearbook 1934-54.
Coauthors: Paul Studham, Jasper Ward, Edward Marlo