The Gen by Harry Stanley & Lewis Ganson.

The Gen magazine was published by Harry Stanley just after the war. The first issue came out in December 1945. The magazine was published for 26 years with 303 issues covering a total of 8,685 pages. Lewis Ganson, one of the greatest British magical writers ever, was the editor until the magazine changed hands in 1971. It continued under the editorship of Val Andrews for a further two issues as the New Gen.

Virtually every known name in the world of post-war magic made a contribution to the Gen or was featured in its columns. Ken Brooke, for example, contributed 27 items and even the final issue, under the ownership of Harry Stanley, had contributors such as Al Koran with his Miracle Pack. Maurice Fogel wrote up his Headline Hunter and other contributors to that final issue included Juan Tamariz, Hen Fetsch, Hugh Miller and Jerry Mentzer.

Most magic magazines would have been content to have started the first issue with such big names but Harry Stanley started big and finished even bigger. He promoted and discovered magicians from around the world; he either published books by them, sold their tricks and routines at the Unique Magic Studio or brought them to London to give lectures. He raised the standard of magic in the UK by introducing us to performers of the calibre of Slydini, Fred Kaps and Dai Vernon. Name any magician of note from Ed Marlo to Chan Canasta and Hans Trixer and you will find them featured in The Gen.

Here are nearly 9000 pages and 161 pages of detailed index prepared by Michael Colley.

Copyright 2002 Martin Breese. Copyright of the Index 1995 by Michael Colley.

1st edition 1945 – 1970; 8685 pages.