Earl Canapp
Each year the George Dency Ring 179 in Baltimore holds its Earl Canapp Memorial Banquet named in honor of a charter member. However, many of our younger and newer members did not get a chance to meet Earl and may know little about him. Earl passed away in 1989 and the name of the annual banquet was changed to the Earl Canapp Memorial Banquet in 1990 in his honor.
Earl Canapp was born in 1923 and became interested in magic around the age of 13. Earl served in the Naval Air Force and while in the service he met and married his wife Josephine. When Earl left the service, he began performing professionally in night clubs. Eventually Earl and Josephine settled in Baltimore, and Earl took a job in the insurance industry. During his lifetime in magic, Earl performed just about every type of magic, from close-up effects to stage illusions. With his wife acting as his assistant, Earl performed a beautiful and colorful act using doves, a rabbit, silks and flowers.
When Earl was not performing, he was often found in his basement workshop where he designed and built props and equipment for himself and other magicians. Earl had artistic skills, too. He often did illustrations for local club show flyers and promotional material for fellow magicians. But that is not all! Earl was also a ventriloquist performing with his wooden friend Elmer. With all these talents, Earl was obviously in demand for shows. In 1967 Earl introduced what would become his signature act “The World’s Oldest Magician” which eventually earned him the moniker of “The Senile Sorcerer.” Earl Canapp loved magic and magicians and was always willing to help out a fellow performer.