[1] The magazine was started in Chicago by William Hilliar and moved to Missouri in 1904 when a Kansas City physician, A. M. Wilson, took over as editor (Vol.

Vaudeville was at its height, bringing a variety of magicians from all over the world to the larger cities of North America.

From October 1927 – February 1942 and July 1947 – June 1951, S.A.M's M-U-M periodical was published as part of The Sphinx.

[8] When Wilson died in April 1930, William Larsen had entertained hopes of taking over The Sphinx.

[10] Some of the many contributors over the years were: Annemann, Al Baker, Milbourne Christopher, Joseph Dunninger, Robert Harbin, Ed Marlo, John Scarne, Harlan Tarbell and Martin Gardner (his first publication, at age 16).