KRESKIN (George Kresge, 1935-2024). The Amazing Kreskin's Diaries and Datebooks. 1940s – 70s. Seven bound volumes owned and kept by the well-known television personality, mentalist, and magician who billed himself for nearly seven decades as “The Amazing Kreskin." Included are diaries for 1947, 1949, 1953, 1956, 1962, 1965, and 1973.
The earliest diaries, from Kreskin's teenage years, include entries on nearly every day, typically one or two sentences in length. Inside the front cover of one he describes himself in as a “magician and musician," and the pages are filled with personal data and ideas for his earliest performances (“Uncle Frank had an idea for dancing in my show"; “Saw Dubois … had an idea for floating light." “Received Abbott's [magic] Catalog today – best one yet."). The 1949 diary includes his New Year's resolutions, including “To get my name and picture in the newspaper. (Good publicity)" and to “always keep up with my – magic, hypnotism, music, and writing."
The 1956 diary contains more detailed entries, describing conditions under which he worked when performing a “rare show," commenting on Dunninger's television appearances, describing his mood and his interactions with his family, and making more general observations about magic and mentalism, including these two prophetic lines: “Can't wait to get on TV." And “No such thing as hypnosis!"
The 1962 diary/datebook reflects a more organized and professional Kreskin, listing dates of performances at high schools, social events, and country clubs, along with to-do lists and personal information. Laid in are dozens of loose notes, business cards, pieces of mail, and notes inked in Kreskin's hand.
The 1965 and 1973 datebooks are more sparsely completed, with most entries being notes of shows, important dates, and reminders of anniversaries and birthdays. Notes include reminders about TV appearances (“Johnny Carson TV" and many others), casino shows at Harrah's, and reminders of private appearances across the United States.
In sum, a revealing (if scattered) record of a life spent in show business, dating from Kreskin's formative years through some of his most prominent and successful, in the 1970s. A personal and revealing record.