Max Maven

1 November 2022

1950 - 2022
The entire worldwide magic community - and I do mean 'entire' - is mourning the passing of Max Maven. Max may not have been a 'household name', he was a giant in the magic world, greatly admired for his tremendous knowledge of magic and its history, his creative ingenuity and performing talent as well as his massive contribution to the magic world and to mentalism (mind-reading magic) in particular.

One of the things we all loved about Max was the difference between his 'on stage' and 'real life' persona. On stage, Max intentionally came across as rather aloof and cerebral. This was all part of the act. However, in real life he was one of the kindest, friendliest and most approachable people you could ever meet. He was also, more often than not, delightfully funny. At conventions, he had time for everyone, from big-name stars to youngsters just starting out on their magical journey.If you have ever seen anyone, anywhere, perform any kind of mind-reading or 'mentalism' act, whether it's Derren
Brown or anyone else, rest assured that Max influenced that act and that performance. He was a prolific writer, inventor and teacher, and absolutely everyone in this field, amateur or pro, knows his work and has learned from it.

Some people become quite well known in their chosen field. Some attain pre-eminence. But only a few become a giant in whose shadow everyone else stands, a leader that everyone else respects and follows. Max Maven was at that level.

We mourn Max's passing but we also smile to think of his incredible life, all the wonderful things he achieved, all the audiences that he delighted and amazed, and how much fun we had hanging out with him at meet-ups and conventions. He will live on in terms of his scholarship, his many books and articles, his performances and the fact that his work had such a profound and lasting effect on the magic world.Hey Max, we're crying but can you hear that...? We're standing and applauding too. This standing ovation is for you.

And, in a sense, it will never end.

Credit to Ian Rowland.

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