Published Works by Mike Rose

Rose, Michael E. Joe Karson - Beyond Zombie. Phoenix, MD: Mike Rose Magic. 1999.

 Joe Karson, of course, invented the famous “Zombie” floating ball, but there was quite a bit more to Karson than just that. The book tells the whole story of his life and his magic performances and creations. 

(This book is long out of print but it is available as an eBook at Lybrary.com - visit the Mech & More page for a link)

Walker, Mark and Michael E. Rose. Maryland’s Ambassador of Magic: Phil Thomas and the Yogi Magic Mart. Phoenix, MD: Mike Rose Magic. 2020.

From his early days of performing with lifelong friends Milbourne Christopher and Hen Fetsch to his decades of owning and operating the Yogi Magic Mart, Phil was a Baltimore magic icon. Authors Mark Walker and Michael Rose have done exhaustive research and left no stone unturned. Every aspect of Phil’s life and magic are explored. After reading Maryland’s Ambassador of Magic: Phil Thomas and the Yogi Magic Mart you will understand why when people thought of magic in Baltimore they immediately thought of Phil Thomas.  

“The Disappearing Clubhouse” by Michael Rose & Julie Saylor

Perennial Mystics, Squared. James Hagy. Issue #27, January 2023.

A detailed look at what became of the physical clubhouse owned by the Demons’ Club of Baltimore Magicians. 

 Four Magicians and a Dress:

An Origin Story

by Michael E. Rose

The Yankee Magic Collector #21. The New England Magic Collectors Association. Pages 89-95, November 2024.

An accidental auction find revealed how Walter Blaney, Tom Palmer, Johnny Thompson and Dick Kohlhafer were connected to the origin story of a hilarious piece of magic involving a dress. 

“The Oldest Active Magician in the World” by Michael E. Rose

The Yankee Magic Collector #20. The New England Magic Collectors Association. Pages 85-94, November 2022.

Isaac Twamley was a Baltimore magician who in his later years capitalized on his advanced age. He became a member of the Demons’ Club of Baltimore Magicians shortly after its inception in 1911 and would eventually become the Dean of the organization.   

“Phil Thomas and the Yogi Magic Mart Fire” by Michael E. Rose

Magicol. David Ben, editor. Pages 88-97, No. 196, March 2021.

The Yogi Magic Mart in Baltimore existed for nearly 50 years. But on a hot summer day in 1978, the shop suffered a catastrophic fire which left owner Phil Thomas down but not out.

 “The Other Magic Shop in Baltimore” by Michael E. Rose

The Yankee Magic Collector #19. The New England Magic Collectors Association. Pages 21-29, November 2020.

Vin Carey was a well-known magician and juggler in Baltimore during the middle of the 20th century. He opened his first magic shop in February 1945, just a few months after Phil Thomas opened the Yogi Magic Mart. 

“A Foundation of Feathers: The Story of Mingus Magic” by Michael E. Rose

The Yankee Magic Collector #18. The New England Magic Collectors Association. Pages 73-81, November 2018.

LeRoy Mingus was a magician, a magic shop owner and an expert at making feather flower products. 

“The Performer as Collector” by Michael E. Rose

The Yankee Magic Collector #17. The New England Magic Collectors Association. Pages 21-26, November 2016.

The advantage of being a performer when it comes to acquiring magic collectibles. 

“The Accidental Discovery: My Unintended Obsession with Julrose the Magician” by Michael E. Rose

The Yankee Magic Collector #16. The New England Magic Collectors Association. Pages 57-64, November 2014.

An accidental discovery of a Julrose the Magician window card in an antique shop leads to a search to learn more about the performer. (Julrose WAS born in Baltimore but in his mid 20s he moved to Pennsylvania where he spent the remainder of his life)