Harold Rice
Harold Randolph Rice was an American educator and magic dealer.
Early life
On June 12, 1937, Rice married Thelma Ryle.He earned his doctorate as an Arthur Wesley Dow Scholar from Columbia University. He earned additional degrees, including a B.S. in Applied Arts, a B.S. in Art Education and M. Ed., Ed. D., L.H.D..
Magic
Rice credited the original Tarbell [Course in Magic] as a major influence. By the time he was an art major at the University of Cincinnati, he was building a handkerchief act. He designed and created his own silks.He joined the International Brotherhood of Magicians in 1929 and the Society of American Magicians in 1934. Local magicians persuaded him to make a colored square of silk for them and became a magic dealer. His silks became known for their brilliant colors, durability, and workmanship.
He founded Silk King Studios in September 1929. He and his spouse were soon marketing, silks, silk magic and effects.
In 1934 he proposed the forming of a magic dealers association to help with problems such as protecting the rights of those who invented or marketed new effects. In 1951 he served as the head of the Magic Dealers Association, Inc. He was its Secretary from 1952 until 1967.
In IBM, Rice served as International Secretary from 1940 to 1946, and served as Chairman of two International Conventions in Cincinnati in 1940 and 1942.
He wrote a column in The [Linking Ring] from 1932 until 1940.