the officers and award judges donate their services to the foundation. It was Mrs Christopher's wish, and the purpose of the foundation, to sponsor annual awards that spotlight the best magic has to offer contemporaneously in performing, writing, publishing and invention. The categories reflect Milbourne Christopher's diversified career. This includes the areas of Author and/or publisher, Outstanding illusionist and/or illusion creator, Promising young magician, Mentalist, Lifetime achievement/master's award, and Ambassador of Magic. Winners in other areas may be added at the discretion of the judges, and not all winner categories are awarded each year. The charter also authorizes the use of the foundation's resources to collect classic books of magic – such as Christopher's Illustrated History of Magic, Panorama of Magic and his biographies of Houdini. Awards The Academy of Magical Arts Outstanding Contribution to Magic (1969) The Academy of Magical Arts Lecturer of the Year (1975) Publications Stretching A Rope. Kanter's Magic Shop. 1938. Magic At Your Finger Tips. Maryland Magic Studio. 1947. 50 Tricks With A Thumb Tip. D. Robbins & Company. 1948. Conjuring With Christopher. Holden's Magic Shop. 1949. The Greatest Magic Illusions Of All Time, article for Popular Mechanics magazine. 1958. References External links MilbourneChristopher.com 1914 births 1984 deaths American magicians American skeptics Critics of parapsychology Harry Houdini Historians of magic People from Maryland Academy of Magical Arts Lecturer of the Year winners