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The Four Full HandsCharles Thorton JordanThis booklet is actually two booklets in one: Four Full Hands of Card Tricks and Four Full Hands of Down to the Minute Magical Effects. These were originally printed in 1921 and 1922 on large sheets 25 x 19 inches. Later in 1947 LLoyd E. Jones reprinted this material. 1st edition, 1921, Charles T. Jordan; reprint, 1947, Lloyd E. Jones, Oakland; 40 pages.
| ★★★★★ $4 to wish listPDF & EPUB | |
Thirty Card MysteriesCharles Thorton JordanThirty Card Mysteries is the most important work Charles T. Jordan published. Several card moves and ideas are credited to Charles T. Jordan. The most well known one is the Jordan Count. In this book he details moves like a single card reverse or half pack reverse. He describes spelling tricks and the effect Coluria is probably the first magical use of a bracelet code (much more on this binary code can be found in Leo Boudreau’s work). 1st edition, 1919, California; 48 pages.
| ★★★★★ $8 to wish list | |
The Magician's HandbookP. T. SelbitThe inventor of "sawing a lady in half" has written quite an interesting book. It covers a good range of topics. Particularly the inclusion of fringe fields to magic, such as juggling and black art, makes this book unique. Certainly this is mainly a magic book, so tricks with handkerchiefs, and balls are many to be found as well as several interesting illusions. This book is in one other respect quite different to other books. The table of contents is in alphabetical order. So Selbit has kind of combined contents and index - interesting. 1st edition, 1901, Marshall & Brookes, London; 188... | ★★★★★ $4 to wish list | |
MagicEllis StanyonA great little book from a great author. It is similar in style to the Hoffmann trilogy, though not as exhaustive. It covers the spectrum from little table tricks to grand illusions. 1st edition, 1901, Penn Publishing Company; 244 pages.
| ★★★★★ $3 to wish list | |
The Modern ConjurerCharles Lang NeilThis is my favorite magic book. The reason for this is that it was a groundbreaking book at the time it appeared and its contents is excellent. It was the first magic book that had photos instead of drawings or engravings throughout. And the contents is fantastic. It is one of the few books with a large chapter on chapeaugraphy. Add to this great chapters on shadowgraphy, plate spinning and paper folding. A large part is devoted to card magic, magic with coins, balls, and handkerchiefs, and much much more. If I would have to select one book this would be it. It is a book not many people know about. But you... | ★★★★★ $8 to wish list | |
Our MagicNevil Maskelyne & David DevantTwo things are noteworthy. One, it is a must read book for magic theory interested. Two, it has a 20 page bibliographical index of card tricks. This includes sleights as well. Anybody doing research on card moves or routines should have this index. It makes searching a lot easier. And this index might point you to interesting books you have not heard about or which are not in your possession. Paul Fleming wrote: For almost half a century, "England's Home of Mystery" in London was the "capital" of the magic world; and for a considerable portion of that period the active operation of this little theater... | ★★★★★ $12 to wish list | |
Magical ExperimentsArthur GoodThe best way of learning new things is doing them. Magical Experiments or Science in Play is a fascinating collection of kitchen table top experiments with every day household goods. Many of which have a 'magical' twist to them, in the sense that it is for the unfamiliar observer not quite clear how these tricks are performed, or what the physical mechanisms behind them are. More than 150 experiments are described with gorgeous lithographs. This book was originally written in French and later translated to English. This in itself is a proof of quality, otherwise the translation would not have... | ★★★★★ $7 to wish listPDF & EPUB | |
Laplantif Spelling SystemFlorian Laplantif | $1.50 to wish list | |
Card ControlArthur BuckleyThis is not a book for beginners. But it is a book that will lift up the devoted student by two or three levels of proviciency in card handling. Buckley, born in Australia, was one of the masters and innovators of card magic. He studied the card gamblers as well as the top magic performers. This book with over 300 photos, of which most have been enhanced by drawing lines over them to increase contrast, and 40 outstanding routines, is a gold mine and challenge for any card worker. Paul Fleming wrote: Arthur Buckley's "post-graduate course on practical methods" of card magic, which has been eagerly awaited... | ★★★★★ $5 to wish list | |
Effects with Cards 1Arthur BuckleyArthur Buckley, one of the great sleight-of-hand artists with cards and coins, has written a series of twelve problems. This booklet is number one. It is illustrated by Harlan Tarbell and edited by Gus Moford. Dariel Fitzkee later reprinted these twelve problems in The Card Expert Entertains but used different inferior illustrations. If you have ever heard something about the 'Buckley card problems' this is one of them. 1st edition, August 1921, Magic Products Company, Chicago; 10 pages. Number One - A Triple Climax
| $3 to wish list | |
Gems of Mental MagicJohn Brown Cook & Arthur BuckleyAnother masterpiece from Arthur Buckley written together with John Brown Cook. Only 125 copies were printed, but now again available as a digital download. It comes with an introduction by the great John Mulholland. This is a collection of 33 extremely practical and entertaining mental routines primarily for stage and parlor. They are all clearly described. There are not that many great books on mental magic. This one is definitely one of them. 1st edition, 1947, privately printed, Chicago; 132 pages.
| ★★★★★ $5 to wish list | |
Principles and DeceptionsArthur BuckleyAnother great book from Arthur Buckley. He discusses some theoretical aspects of magic and then goes into detailed instructions of moves and routines with coins, cards, and billiard balls. I can highly recommend this book. 1st edition, 1948, Arthur Buckley; original 222 pages; PDF 185 pages.
| ★★★★★ $7 to wish list | |
Elliott's Last LegacyJames William ElliottElliott was a very popular magician. Particularly some of his card effects were considered best of its kind. Nobody knew the secrets to some of Elliott's tricks. People waited impatiently for the release of this book. But it was met with some disappointment that not all of Elliott's tricks were described. We do not know which tricks these critics mean. The reason might well be that Elliott died before he could finish his book. Burgess and Houdini had to collect Elliott's notes and fill in some of the missing explanations. However, Elliott and Houdini believed that all the material in this book was... | ★★★★★ $4 to wish list | |
The Art of Modern ConjuringunknownToday we have the Masked Magician exposing magic secrets. Eighty years ago it probably was done by writing a book without the author's name given. I do not know if this book falls in the category 'exposure'. It certainly is a book that clearly reveals a lot of interesting tricks. One is the bullet catch. It has nearly 200 excellent photographs. Card and coin manipulation is dealt with in great detail. Overall a very good book. The photographs are the outstanding part. A review in the March 1909 Sphinx states: "The Art of Modern Conjuring" is an anonymously written work on "Drawing Room... | ★★★★★ $5 to wish list | |
Pocket PowerJarle LeirpollJarle Leirpoll is one of Norway's leading Stand-Up and Close-Up performers. He received the Norwegian magician of the year award in 1998. You will find effective and deceptive ways to switch, ditch and steal - using only the normal pockets and occasionally a Topit. Several original routines and lots of techniques and ideas are explained in detail, including more than one hundred illustrations. On top of that four video clips are embedded in the ebook which show 5 effects. The chapter about Choreographic Misdirection has been significantly increased over the paper version of this book from 1995. ... | ★★★★★ $13 to wish list | |
The Magic ArtDonald HolmesThe Magic Art is a book very much in the style of the Hoffmann books. It describes in particular the tricks invented or used by Mr. Holmes. Tarbell calls this book 'excellent' in the Tarbell Course. Holmes was a prolific author who wrote several other titles as well. In this volume he deals with all kind of props from pill boxes to cards, coins, handkerchiefs, gaffed glasses and the list continues. Paul Fleming wrote: In 1920, Donald Holmes announced his intention of writing a series of books which were to form "a complete library on the Art of Magic." Unfortunately, he abandoned the undertaking (for what reason we do not know)... | ★★★★★ $4 to wish list | |
Tarbell Post-Graduate Service in Magic No. 1Harlan TarbellAfter Tarbell finished his 60 lesson Tarbell Course he decided to continue with post-graduate lessons. The name post-graduate stems from the fact that Tarbell sent out graduation diplomas for all who followed along his 60 lesson course. To my knowledge he only published one such post-graduate lesson. If you know about more such lessons I would be delighted to hear from you. 1st edition, 1926, Tarbell System Inc., Chicago; 33 pages.
| ★★★★★ $2 to wish list | |
The Big EdgeMike PorstmannMike gave this lecture already twice in the US with great success. He is one of the gambling and cheating-at-gambling authorities in Germany. I liked particularly his 10 card poker deal for the stage, an entertaining piece of card magic for a large audience. 1st edition, 1999, Mike Porstmann, München
| ★★★★★ $6 to wish listPDF & EPUB | |
Howard Thurston's Card TricksHoward ThurstonThurston explains fundamental sleights such as the Pass, Palm, Force, Change, Back-Palm and his system of expert card manipulation, which appeared for the first time in this book. It also describes a unique gimmick to make the Back-Palm almost effortless. Thurston also lays claim to what we today call the Si Stebbins stack. He writes that it is his invention but he also thanks Si for his contributions and help. 1st edition, 1903, Henry J. Wehman; 83 pages.
| ★★★★★ $3 to wish list | |
Forty Years in and around MagicHarry Leat | ★★★★★ $3 to wish list | |
Magical Cartoons & InterpolationsHarry LeatHarry Leat presents a great selection of cartoons with a magical theme, many of which reveal a universal truth. They will make you think, just as they will make you laugh. Harry also continues his stories from Forty Years in & around Magic. 1st edition, 1927, Harry Leat, London; 95 pages.
| ★★★★★ $3 to wish list | |
Thoughtful MagicHarry LeatAs Harry Leat writes in his introduction, the tricks in this book are not pocket tricks, but ones which rely on some clever piece of apparatus. Some of his ideas are ingenious and have never been published before. Harry Leat was quite a character and it shows in his creations and ideas. 1st edition, 1923, Harry Leat, London; 111 pages.
| $4 to wish list | |
Tragic MagicHarry LeatAn original blurb read: Tragic Magic containing original magical sketches, tricks, some humour, and many interesting items that will grip you. From The Sphinx: And here is another one that awakens my cereberzation - Harry Leat's Tragic Magic. Here is a book of 122 pages of the queerest conglomeration of sense and non-sense, good magic and irrelative matter - yet relating to magic - that has yet crossed my rugged editorial path. The table of contents lists 42 items, and I advise the purchaser of the book not to skip a single one of them. I do not know why the book is named Tragic Magic, for the magic... | ★★★★★ $4 to wish list | |
Diversified MagicHarry LeatFrom The Sphinx: Diversified Magic is Harry Leat's latest contribution to magical lore. Diversified rightly describes the contents of the book. The variety is great, the quality superior, the originality genuine. Of the twenty chapters it is difficult to say which is the most interesting, and of the tricks and other effects, which is the best. The Organ Pipe Pagoda, and the Eclipse Ventriloquial Figure are alone worth more than the price of the book. Mr. Leat's introduction is full of matter for serious thought and consideration. The patter for the tricks, and the dialogue for the vent. figure are lively,... | $4 to wish list |