The modern day magic collector might find the following philatelic treasures to be of unique interest since magic is rarely depicted in any form, on legal tender postage stamps. This is probably due to the fear of the mystical and false nature that the word magic often alludes to by various cultural definitions. For a government to publicly acknowledge magic (an art that is based on deception and trickery), might be misinterpreted as a government honoring the liar and thief. Ironically, it was the early religious roots of magic which provided the basis for the structure of the first working governments of the world.
Understandably, today's modern governments and the legal systems which they represent, don't want to be associated with any forms of deception and trickery. With all the difficulties in politics today, who can blame them.
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ROBERT-HOUDIN
 The first legal tender postage stamp ever issued to recognize an entertainer of the art of magic and illusion was released by the Republique Francaise (Republic Of France) in 1971, commemorating the father of modern magic Robert-Houdin (Jean Eugène Robert Houdin). The artwork shows a bust of the magician to the left, and some of his most famous innovations to the right, which include "The Ethereal Suspension" illusion (the seemingly ether induced lighter-than-air suspension of his young son Auguste Adolphe sleeping horizontally atop a thin pole) and "The Mysterious Clock" (a timepiece in which the hands moved on a clear glass dial, which was supported by a clear glass rod, thus showing no visible signs of any mechanical clockworkings whatsoever). The stamp was issued to honor the memory of the ingenious Robert-Houdin 100 years after his death. (Jean Eugène Robert Houdin 1805-1871).
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EMIL T. KIO
 In 1989, a series of 5 different stamps were issued by the Soviet Union, each paying tribute to the greatest Soviet Circus performers and their acts. One stamp of the series was dedicated to Emil T. Kio, perhaps the most innovative circus illusionist in magic's history. A portrait of Kio appears on the left of the stamp, his name written below in flames. To the right, Kio's assistant (often his wife) is seen standing within a cloud of smoke, as Kio (far right) stands beside her. This scene is intended to illustrate one of his most brilliant illusions, "Cremation", in which Kio would cover his assistant with a cloth and all would be set ablaze. She would later reappear from a box that had been suspended from the ceiling and in full view of the audience during the entire show. (Emil T. Kio 1900 - 1965).
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DAVID COPPERFIELD
 Probably the last person you'd expect to see associated with Guyana, would be David Copperfield. Regardless, in 1995 he managed to secure a place in history, by affixing his likeness to a series of real legal tender postage stamps. The artwork utilizes a spectrum of vibrant yet passive tones, capturing the sort of romantic-intrigue mood which is the essence of David Copperfield. The stamp to the left incorporates his portrait with an appearing red rose. This image calls to mind his first use of a rose, which he sometimes tossed into the audience in order to obtain a female volunteer at random. The image also captures a moment from one of his shows. The flash transformation of a paper rose becoming a real rose was the conclusion of the Kevin James Floating Napkin-Rose Routine, which was presented by Copperfield during live performances and on television. Other Copperfield stamps are shown below. On the left: One full sheet of 9 different stamps, each depicting many of his most popular illusions. On the right: One full sheet showing the complete artwork of the stamp above, depicting what has become his almost trademark rose persona.
 
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Ironically, we have been unable to find a stamp issued showing the one magician that most would expect to see, Harry Houdini, the most popular magician of this or any other age.
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