Magic & Conjuring: page 416

Elliott 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...

Today 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:

Jarle 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. ...

The 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:

After 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.

3. Tarbell Post-Graduate Service in Magic
5. The Original Rope Release
9. Three Silk Handkerchiefs Released from Ropes
12. A New Ghost Ring
17. A Button Off the Vest
21. The Kick-Back Card...

Mike 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

1. Welcome To The Golden Nugget
2. The Great Joker Game
3. New York Credit Card
4. Jokers Always Win
5. 10 Card Poker Deal
6. Derby Days
7. Switchgame

Thurston 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.

1. CHAPTER I. A Few Incidents in the Life of Howard Thurston, Premier Card Manipulator of the World
10. CHAPTER II. Indispensable Sleights
19. CHAPTER...

Harry Leat describes incidences during his magic life, some odd, some funny, some unbelievable. Often another well known magic celebraty was involved, such as Houdini, Selbit, Trewey, ... This book makes a great read. No tricks.

1st edition, 1923, Harry Leat, London; 77 pages.

Harry 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. Truth
7. Your Mirror
11. Introduction
15. A Good Opening
16. The First "Palm"
17. "See the Thread"
18. Not for Magicians
19. The Flying Candle
20. Apparatus and Books
22. Chemical Magic
24. New Apparatus
25. A Great Future
26. Fakirism
28. Dreams and Reality
29. Telepathy
30. Refined Magic
31. "Uncle"
32. Mr. Charles Conyers
34. Mr. Wilfrid Jonson
35. The Modern Conjurer
36. The Good Old Days
37. Circumstances...

As 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.

9. Introduction
12. The Mysterious Box of Parvo
29. "Bloodless" Writing on the Arm
31. Improved Card Frames
38. Mister Makeshift
41. The Necromantic Mummy
49. Improved Passe-Passe Bottles
55. The Only Bug
57. The Real Magic Funnel
64. The Travelling Glass
71. A Magical Accessory
75. Patter ...

An 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...

From 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,...

This book is based on an interesting idea. Line up the best magic dealers and let each one contribute a series of tricks and routines. Not a bad idea indeed. Some of the dealers who participated are Davenport & Co., Gamage Ltd., Hamley Bros., The Magical Apparatus Co., ...

1st edition, 1924, Harry Leat, London; 100 pages.

9. Introduction.
   L. DAVENPORT & CO.
16. New Ball Holder.
17. New Card Drawer.
18. New Cigarette to Handkerchief.
19. Triangle Coin Stand and Box.
20. The New Production Box.
21. The Vanishing Lamp.
23. New Coffee Trick.
    PROFESSOR EDGAR.
26. Productive Candle Shade.
28. The "New Cut" Card Locator. ...

Just as the last release Magic of the Depots 1924, Depot Magic lines up several dealers to describe a few tricks each. However the most interesting article in this book is by Leo Rullman and is entitled "The Hobby of Book Collecting".

1st edition, 1925, Harry Leat, London; 92 pages.

6. A Bad Trait.
7. Liberty.
11. Introduction.
    Mr. CHARLES R. BRUSH
21. Two Handkerchief Secrets.
22. A Colour Study.
24. Magician's Wax.
25. The Cigarette Stand.
26. Magician's Elastic.
27. His End.
    MESSRS CHICAGO MAGIC Co.
29. The Magicians Card Box.
31. The Penetrated Card.
33. Improved Glass of Water Through Hat.
36. The Enchanged Tube.
    MESSRS B. L. GILBERT MAGIC...

Coin Magic by Hugard is a great and complete introduction to coin magic. It teaches all the important palms, transfers and utility moves. It is not as comprehensive as Bobo's Modern Coin Magic but quality wise it is on the same level. If you don't want to read the massive work of Bobo try this one by Hugard.

1st edition, 1935, Max Holden; reprint, 1972, D. Robbins & Co, New York; 88 pages.

2. CHAPTER I. BASIC PALMS AND CHANGES
   2. The Palm Proper
   3. The French Drop
   4. The French Drop - Variation
   4. The Pinch
   5. The Thumb Palm
   5. The Pick Up
   5. Changes
7. CHAPTER II. COIN TRICKS WITHOUT APPARATUS
   7. Coin and Card
   8. The Melting...

You will find 143 magnificent and entertaining uses of silks and handkerchiefs. Sleights, tricks, and the famous Stillwell Silk Act are explained in detail with 90 illustrations. Jean Hugard details vanishing methods, production techniques, color changes, knots, and flourishes. He also describes how to care for your silks to keep them in great shape for a long time.

Paul Fleming wrote:

This book has an excellent illusion section, a decent chapter about escape artistry and also a fairly large trick section with all kinds of routines with cards, silks, ... The really good part are the illusions. You will find several clever ideas. Will Goldston was himself a craftsman and illusion builder. He can therefore write with authority.

1st edition, 1908?, George Routledge & Sons, London; 259 pages.

3. Introduction

   ---

   PART I - TRICKS
9. New Card Catching on Plate
10. The Floating Disc Mystery
11. The Devo Torn Card
12. The Hildyard Target and Cage Illusion
14. The Handkerchief and Sword
16. A Dancing...

This is the last book in the 'Magician Annual' series of Goldston. It carries a slightly different title, 'Annual of Magic' instead of 'Magician Annual', but otherwise is kept in the very same style and type of contents as all the other books in this series. Beside tricks, illusions and patter, you will find a lot about magicians of this era. For example the "Who's Who and Why" is an interesting article.

1st edition, 1916, Will Goldston, London; 72 pages.

• A
  24. Abbott's Spirit Paintings Illusion
  16. Adhering Pips and Blank Cards
  7. Advertise, How to
  5. Advice for the Student
  37. Aeroplane and Trunk...

This was the first Magician Annual Will Goldston compiled and edited. It covers quite some ground. From juggling and optical illusions, to ventriloquism and palmistry. Of course you will find also magic illusions, tricks and patter. And if you want to read a little bit about hoop rolling, you can, too. These Magician Annuals are real fun to read. They are a great window into the past.

1st edition 1908, Gamage Ltd., London; 98 pages.

4. The Editor to His Readers, Will Goldston
5. Juggling Manipulations, Paul Cinquevalli
7. Crayon Drawing for the Stage, J. F. Burrows
8. Barrel and Packing-Case Tricks,...

This is the second volume in Goldston's Magician Annual series. It has a nice little section on Chapeaugraphy and a large section on patents. You will find there all kind of improvements to various apparatuses. And there is biographical information and recollections of famous magicians as well as a lot of photos of celebrities.

1st edition, 1909, London; 96 pages.

7. The Editor to His Readers, Will Goldston
8. Comedy Jugglers, The Great Weiland
10. Famous Magicians, Robert Ankele
11. Living Marionettes, Leah Laurie
13. Card Tricks, Dr. Elliott
14. My First Appearance on the Stage as a Magician, W. N. Winget
15. Episodes...

This book describes quite a number of card tricks and has a wonderful account of some of Buatier de Kolta's illusions, for example his famous "de Kolta Chair". An interesting story evolves around the cartoon on page 62, which depicts a famous magician's wife in a not very favorable light. Goldston released later a new edition which had this cartoon removed. Goldston also tried to buy back all the first editions but was not quite successful.

1st edition, 1910, London; 100 pages.

4. The Editor to his Readers, Will Goldston
5. An Interview and an Appreciation, Henry Byatt
7. Apparatus for Amateurs,...

This book is filled with a variety of interesting articles, from trick descriptions to patter suggestions, from biographical information to theory. Among others there is a trick contribution by Houdini. This book is layed out beautifully, almost like a magazine. Overall a very nice and interesting book to read.

1st edition, 1910, The Magician Limited, London; 106 pages.

3. Index
5. The Editor to his Readers
7. The Scribe, The Failure, and The Magician JOHN KEYMAN
10. Amateur Conjurer's Accessories GEORGE JOHNSON
12. The Magic of Suggestion PROFESSOR HOFFMANN
14. New Patter for Popular Problems WOOLFE CLYNE
23. Wine v. Water CHRIS VAN BERN
25. Telepathic...

This book has a broad range of contents, from stage juggling, to the history of playing cards (a really nice article), pocket tricks, illusions, biographical information, ... It is in the very same style as the other Magician Annuals. If you enjoyed those you will surely love this one, too.

1st edition, 1912, London; 99 pages.

6. Will Goldston, A Terrible Experience, Hohn Keyman
10. Original Patter for Original Minds, Woolfe Clyne
14. A Liner on Fire at Sea. An Original Lightning Painting Effect, Fred Velasco
17. Stage Juggling, Fred Velasco
21. Tricks for 1911-12, Jay Gee
29. The Magic Reel of Cotton,...

Here is a historical ad from the Charles T. Powner Co. in Chicago: "This book gives, with careful and easy instructions, the newest card tricks and sleight-of-hand yet offered to professionals and amateurs. Not only does this book contain all of the new tricks, but nearly every one known is fully explained and exposed by explicit directions and carefully prepared illustrations. 160 pages, 80 fine illustrations. Price Postpaid $0.50"

I cannot offer this book at $0.50 as originally sold in 1902, but our prices are almost as good as 100 years ago prices. This book is the small version of Roterberg's famous...