Richard "Cardini" Pitchford (1895-1973) was a master magician whose career spanned almost half a century. Although one of the most imitated magicians the world has ever known, his skill and talent could never be duplicated. Master is a term that indicates a consummate level of skill, proficiency, superiority or power. ... Magician redirects here. ...

Richard Pitchford was born in 1895 in a coal-mining town in Mumbles, Wales. He joined the British Army during World War I where he passed time in the trenches by practicing card manipulations. After being injured in battle, he continued to hone his magic skills in hospital. 1895 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... National motto: Cymru am byth (Welsh: Wales for ever) Waless location within the UK Official languages English and Welsh Capital Cardiff Largest city Cardiff First Minister Rhodri Morgan Area  - Total Ranked 3rd UK 20,779 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 3rd UK 2,903,085 140/km² NUTS... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British military. ... Missing image Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... A ditch with water can be used for drainage and irrigation. ...

After performing in Australia and then in Canada he entered the United States from British Columbia. While working his way across the U.S. he met Swan Walker in Chicago, who became his wife and lifelong assistant. In New York City, Cardini became an almost immediate success as audiences (and magicians) had never seen such an act. Cardini enhanced his performance by incorporating his magic tricks into a skit. Sleight of hand, gestures, and the appearance and disappearance of objects were all timed precisely and exactly coordinated to music. Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Splendour without diminishment) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Area 944,735 km² (5th)  - Land 925,186 km²  - Water 19,549 km² (2. ... Chicago (officially named the City of Chicago) is the third largest city in the United States (after New York City and Los Angeles), with an official population of 2,896,016, as of the 2000 census. ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the state of New York and the entire United States. ...

He performed at The Palace, Radio City Music Hall, London Palladium, Copa Cabana and other prominent nightclubs and Reviews, and also gave command performance for the King of England in 1938. In 1957 at the age of 62 he appeared on one of the few magic television shows broadcast at that time, the Festival of Magic. This is the only known footage of Cardini at work. Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... The London Palladium in 2004 The London Palladium is the most famous of Londons West End theatres. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area  - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 1st UK 49,138,831 377/km² Religion... 1938 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1957 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Among his many acclamations was the New England Magic Society's proclamation of Cardini as the "greatest exponent of pure sleight of hand the world has ever known".(1958) He was honored in 1970 with the title Master Magician awarded at the Magic Castle, LA, presented by Tony Curtis. In 1999 he was named one of Magic Magazine's Top Magicians of the 20th Century. 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Tony Curtis is the stage name of Bernard Schwartz (b. ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday of the Common Era, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

Although he has been dead for almost 30 years magicians still recognize his creativity, innovation and originality. One can define creativity as a tool to develop innovation. ...

External links

• Richard Pitchford - Biography (http://www.cardini.com/bio.htm)