The Modern Mystic League
Blackburn & District Society of Magicians
JOHN PYE
Honorary Life Vice President of The Modern Mystic League, John Edward Pye passed away on 13th August 2022 aged 81 years after a lifetime immersed in the world of magic. He was a member of The Modern Mystic League for 55 years and served as Secretary & Treasurer (1969 – 1975), Concert Secretary (1977 – 1979) and President (1975). At The Modern Mystic League Banquet in 2012 he presented the Society with an I.B.M. Presidential Citation recognising the Society’s contribution to encouraging the art of magic. He proposed the toast “The Modern Mystic League” at the Society’s Centenary celebrations in 2014.
John was born in Clitheroe in 1941 and became interested in magic when, at primary school, he received an Ernest Sewell Box of Tricks. He began to obtain catalogues from the leading magic dealers of the time and purchased many classic items. He also found magic books in his local library. He developed an act which he performed at church socials, school parties and the like, including a mailbag escape!
John attended the Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and later in life became President of the Old Clitheronians’ Association. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, John worked for the family printing and photography business, Pyes of Clitheroe, and eventually took over the business. He photographed many weddings and local events, including two visits to Clitheroe by Queen Elizabeth II. He met Carol through his church youth group and they were married in August 1963. They had two children, Michael and Julia. Carol was a continual support throughout John’s magic interests.
John gave his initiation show at The Modern Mystic League on 9th September 1967 and was made a member just in time to take part in the Cup Competition, when he took third prize after Ken Ashburn, the winner and Ken Laraway, second. John played an active part in The Modern Mystic League, and after he completed his time as Secretary and Treasurer then became Secretary of the Northern Magic Circle for thirteen years, serving as their President in 1981-1982.
John was born in Clitheroe in 1941 and became interested in magic when, at primary school, he received an Ernest Sewell Box of Tricks. He began to obtain catalogues from the leading magic dealers of the time and purchased many classic items. He also found magic books in his local library. He developed an act which he performed at church socials, school parties and the like, including a mailbag escape!
John attended the Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and later in life became President of the Old Clitheronians’ Association. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, John worked for the family printing and photography business, Pyes of Clitheroe, and eventually took over the business. He photographed many weddings and local events, including two visits to Clitheroe by Queen Elizabeth II. He met Carol through his church youth group and they were married in August 1963. They had two children, Michael and Julia. Carol was a continual support throughout John’s magic interests.
John gave his initiation show at The Modern Mystic League on 9th September 1967 and was made a member just in time to take part in the Cup Competition, when he took third prize after Ken Ashburn, the winner and Ken Laraway, second. John played an active part in The Modern Mystic League, and after he completed his time as Secretary and Treasurer then became Secretary of the Northern Magic Circle for thirteen years, serving as their President in 1981-1982.
JOHN PYE
John was invited by the late Tony Shelley to become his Assistant Secretary of The British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, involved in organising conventions and events. He served as Ring President in 1995-1996, during the Diamond Jubilee year. He became Secretary and was elected to the I.B.M. board as the British representative, having been a Territorial Vice President for a number of years. In 2012 - 2013 John was honoured to become the I.B.M. International President; only the fourth British magician to hold that office.
Despite travelling the world as I.B.M. International President, John was deeply rooted in the Clitheroe area and he and Carol lived in Grindleton, a village just a ten- minute drive from Clitheroe. He was active in the church, and when the church organist left John, who had learned piano in his youth, said he would help until they found a new one. He was still “helping out” until shortly before his death. He purchased an organ so he could practise at home, and on one special occasion had the opportunity to play on Reginald Dixon’s organ in Blackpool whilst rising up through the floor – another kind of magic! He was also involved in village life, being a Vice Chairman of the Grindleton Village Council and past President of the Rotary Club of Ribblesdale.
Many members will remember John’s cabaret act comprising the Lubor Die, Anverdi’s Rising Cards and an electric version of Sawing a Lady in Half – with Carol being renowned for her famous scream at the right moment!
John had a full and happy life, and said when installed as I.B.M. International President in 2012: “I have been involved with Magic Societies for almost fifty years and have found one of their most valuable assets is promoting friendship through the art of magic.”
John’s dedicated service to the magic community will be a lasting legacy, and we will always try to follow his entreaty to “have fun with magic”.
Despite travelling the world as I.B.M. International President, John was deeply rooted in the Clitheroe area and he and Carol lived in Grindleton, a village just a ten- minute drive from Clitheroe. He was active in the church, and when the church organist left John, who had learned piano in his youth, said he would help until they found a new one. He was still “helping out” until shortly before his death. He purchased an organ so he could practise at home, and on one special occasion had the opportunity to play on Reginald Dixon’s organ in Blackpool whilst rising up through the floor – another kind of magic! He was also involved in village life, being a Vice Chairman of the Grindleton Village Council and past President of the Rotary Club of Ribblesdale.
Many members will remember John’s cabaret act comprising the Lubor Die, Anverdi’s Rising Cards and an electric version of Sawing a Lady in Half – with Carol being renowned for her famous scream at the right moment!
John had a full and happy life, and said when installed as I.B.M. International President in 2012: “I have been involved with Magic Societies for almost fifty years and have found one of their most valuable assets is promoting friendship through the art of magic.”
John’s dedicated service to the magic community will be a lasting legacy, and we will always try to follow his entreaty to “have fun with magic”.