What’s the Russ?

No, I didn’t misspell the word “rush” but rather tried lamely to do a play on words about the subject of this posting, Russ Walsh. In short (two words you can hardly use regarding Walsh), he was one of only a few people to hold the presidency of both the S.A.M. (1934-35) and the I.B.M. (1949-50). That remarkable feat notwithstanding, he was also a wonderfully creative and inquisitive magician and a real gentleman.

 It appears that the Walsh card in my collection was not produced as a stand-alone, but more likely came from a deck of cards that featured his photo and name on the front, for the two examples (above) have the four-of-clubs and two-of-clubs on their faces. Regardless, we’ll call them scaling cards. One of Walsh’s dearest friends, and he had many, was Harlan Tarbell. When Walsh died May 29, 1971, at the age of 77, Tarbell wrote an extensive remembrance of his friend in M-U-M, and I’ll excerpt highlights from that article.

Walsh's Christmas card featuring images from golf act.

Walsh joined the S.A.M. in 1919, and was a charter member of Chicago Assembly No. 3. As noted above he was also president of both the S.A.M. and I.B.M. He passed away after a lengthy illness in the Applewood Nursing Home in Matteson, Illinois.

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio May 14, 1894 and his interest in magic began when his father, who was in the oil business, brought a Japanese colleague to the house. The gentleman was visiting to conduct research on oil. He was also an amateur magician and performed the Ring on Pencil trick and another involving six coins. Walsh was intrigued. Then Harry Kellar played his local theater and that did it. Walsh was a devoted lover of all things magic from that point until his death. The effect that most amazed him in the Kellar show was the mysterious ball which rolled up and down an inclined plank at Kellar’s command.

Walsh entertained his fraternity brothers with magic during college and when he went to work in Des Moines, Iowa after graduation he devoted all of his evenings to reading magic books in the library. When he moved to Chicago to work for Standard Oil Company, the H.S. Paine Magic Shop was two doors away from his office in the same building. All extra cash was used to buy magic. And, if he thought an effect could be improved or adapted he often went down the hall to discuss his ideas.

Among the many effects he created were the Vanishing Cane, Appearing Cane, Card in Fountain Pen, Hat and Cane to Table, Multiplying Golf Balls, Multiplying Golf Tee’s, Flash Billiard Ball Production, and many more.

In the 1940s and 50s, Walsh presented an act built around golf. Most of the items he magically produced or used were his own creations. The first magic club he joined was The Chicago Conjurors Club, which eventually became Assembly No. 3. At his home in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, he built a special workshop where he constructed illusions and let his creativity run.

He was married to Ruth Douaire, a Chicago girl, and they had three daughters, Jane Daly, Betty Harvey and Pat Lasco. His obituary in The Linking Ring closes with this comment, “William Russell Walsh lived a full life. He knew the value of joy. Those who were close to him knew it too.” A fitting tribute to a wonderful person.

Tom Ewing