Joe J. Stevens, III
2520 E. Douglas
Wichita, KS 67214 USA
316-683-9582
Magic@StevensMagic.com

Website: stevensmagic.com

No. 23187
IBM 1970  
OM 1995  

Joe's first experience with magic took place at the Orpheum Theatre in Wichita during one of Harry Blackstone, Sr's appearances. Joe was invited to assist Harry on-stage and for a 10 year old the excitement was so great that he doesn't remember what Blackstone did nor what he did to assist, but it was the beginning of a new future for Joe.

By the time he was 15 he had gradually built a repertoire of variety effects that was bringing him some performing business. Adding small illusions and a complete mental act assisted him greatly during his college years. After college Joe became affiliated with the Fuller Brush Company and literally pounded the streets like any other salesman (this writer can attest to this fact as on a very hot Kansas summer day Joe's car became immobile as a farmer's mule. In need of assistance Joe knocked upon my door to ask the use of our telephone. I don't know who was surprised the most, Joe or myself. But he did call Martha and Joe stayed with Fuller for 20 years, working up to become a divisional sales manager.)

Through the '50s he was dabbling in magic as well as playing basketball with the Wichita State University team, and I would guess on every out of state trip would visit all the magic shops in town, occasionally bringing home a collection of magic to stash in his basement for future use. He began his magic merchandising at home with an annual garage sale strictly for magicians. This reporter still has an item or two that was uncovered in that garage in Eastborough.

Joe opened the Emporium at 3238 E. Douglas in August 1975, where he invited many young enthusiasts to demonstrate behind the counter and to be featured on weekly Saturday performances at the shop. This was good training for those ambitious kids and from that pack several became pretty good magicians or successful in other careers. By now, Joe was bringing in an occasional lecturer to which all the magicians in the area were invited, but this was "B.C.", Before Cassettes. Video tapes and related business came later.

As Joe took on the job of publishing a regular catalog, his mail order business grew. The slick black and white, professionally produced catalogs usually carried photos of local magicians demonstrating tricks and illusions. Unlike most magic suppliers that use one catalog at least a year or longer, Joe updates his twice annually and has one for video tapes and one for magic.

During the period of time prior to 1975 the Jubilee was being held every other year between Kansas City and St. Louis but because of some disagreement Kansas City decided to drop out of this activity. This gave Joe the opportunity to originate the Mid-America Convention here in Wichita. With a little help from the Wizards of Wichita and some assistance from active magicians in surrounding states, Joe brought in headliners to insure success of this new era of magic in Wichita.

Not since the '40s and '50s did we witness such a parade of professional magicians that visited Wichita during the short four or five year span of Joe's annual conclave. Each year the shows got better with more names introduced, more lectures, etc. Eventually Joe felt it should move up to another plateau, going to Las Vegas as a seminar where it has become one of he world's most prestigious magic conventions. Joe travels the world in order to bring the best entertainment he can find to this country and has contests for those ambitious youngsters looking for that chance to break into professional status.

Around 1980 the video business literally exploded throughout the magic industry. Tapes were the newest form of teaching magic but in their haste to get them on the market some producers didn't seem to be concerned with quality. Anyone viewing a tape from Steven's Emporium had to be impressed with the graphics and techniques used to produce the high-quality teaching aid, a practice that still continues today. It must be mentioned that Bill Gardener, one of our Wizards, a talented individual in commercial art and graphic design, did much of the work seen in Joe's tapes. He and his company have received numerous awards for their work in the art industry and today he is with a private enterprise.

Early in 1996, following several years of the business "bulging at the seams," Joe finally added a second location at 2520 E. Douglas (just a mile west of the Emporium) and moved all the magic and video tape business into a building of it's own where Amy can manage and direct the video business while brother Mark rides herd on the stocking and distribution of the magic. Martha continues to run the Emporium east where all the
costumes, masks, makeup and accessories for any holiday celebration or theatrical spectaculars are available.

In January, 1991 Amy joined the IBM, sponsored by James Nagel and Dr. William Wells. Anyone in Ring 47 would have been happy to do that if given the opportunity. She continued to write for the Emporium's catalog and other periodicals and direct the production of the video-tape business, both that she does very well. In 1992 Amy was appointed to the International Executive Committee. While on the committee Amy was responsible for designing and producing several brochures for IBM use. In 1997 she resigned the position in order to redirect her priorities in another direction: that of marriage, which took place in 1998. They are now happily residing in Washington, D.C. where she is in the consulting business.

       
         Amy, Joe, and Martha Stevens                                 Mark Stevens with Melton Francis