Magic & Conjuring: page 417

Every generation a magician comes along, whose intention is to record magic in an encyclopedic fashion. Professor Hoffmann was the first in recorded history to attempt such a feat with his trilogy Modern Magic, More Magic, and Later Magic. Certainly many magic books have been published before him, mostly copying from each other. But none reaches the depth and breadth of Prof. Hoffmann's work. The material in these three books records the state of the art of magic in the late 19th century. Today we know more tricks and we have also refined our techniques and methods. But it is astounding how much was already known...

This is the second volume of the Hoffmann trilogy. If you liked Modern Magic you will love More Magic. There is too much to list. Refer to the 'Table of Contents' below for details. This book was rated one of the ten basic books for a working library of conjuring by H. Adrian Smith, historian, collector and owner of the largest private magic library in his time. Other books in this top 10 list are

• Magicians' Tricks by Henry Hatton and Adrian Plate
• The Expert at the Card Table by S.W. Erdnase
• The Art of Magic by T. Nelson Downs
• Modern Magic by Prof. Hoffmann
• Later Magic by Prof. Hoffmann
• The Modern Conjurer by C. Lang Neil
• Our Magic by Maskelyne and Devant
• Tarbell Course by Harlan Tarbell
• Greater Magic by John Northern Hilliard

It is the third volume of the Hoffmann trilogy. The 1911 edition was expanded by almost 200 pages with the chapters 'New Miscellaneous Tricks' and 'Recollections of Hartz the Wizard'. This expanded 1911 edition is what you will get here. This book was rated one of the ten basic books for a working library of conjuring by H. Adrian Smith, historian, collector and owner of the largest private magic library in his time. Other books in this top 10 list are

• Magicians' Tricks by Henry Hatton and Adrian Plate
• The Expert at the Card Table by S.W. Erdnase
• The Art of Magic by T. Nelson Downs
• Modern Magic by Prof. Hoffmann
• More Magic by Prof. Hoffmann
• The Modern Conjurer by C. Lang Neil
• Our Magic by Maskelyne and Devant ...

Latest Magic is the last book in Hoffmann's series Modern Magic, More Magic and Later Magic. Hoffmann had quite some problem finding a publisher for this book. The reason being the quality of the contents. When Modern Magic came out it explained new tricks and tricks which were performed at the time. Thus it was indeed 'modern'. It is also without a doubt the best book in the series. Latest Magic describes Hoffmann's own creations and dealt with a magic which was already considered old fashioned. From a historical perspective it still makes quite an interesting read.

1st edition, 1918, Spon & Chamberlain, New York; 2nd edition, 1919; 222...

After writing Later Magic, Professor Hoffmann intended to follow it with a fourth book. However, advancing age and other engagements compelled him to abandon it. Nevertheless he wrote this volume, which is not really a part of his trilogy, but functioned as a place to put the material he already collected. A few Hartz items in this book have been already dealt with in Later Magic. Otherwise the contents is new.

It is interesting to note that although Hoffmann writes in the preface to Magical Titbits that he abandoned the book which should have followed Later Magic, he authored in 1918 a book called Latest Magic which according to the...

This is a reprint of the sections dealing with card magic from Professor Hoffmann's Modern Magic. There are however six new pages (four in the front and two in the back) which are entitled "Canfield's Expose". These six pages expose scams such as 'short changing', the 'soap game', the 'spindle game', ...

Reprint is too kind a word, rip-off is more appropriate since this was an unauthorized republication of Hoffmann's material. Also interesting to note is that the correct spelling of Herrmann is with two r's and two n's, the book title however only shows one n. Probably a deliberate error to avoid legal troubles. (Information...

A little booklet with 12 great card tricks. And the price - a steal!

1st edition, 1934, Max Holden; 12 pages.

2. Sleight of Foot
3. The Voice Betrays
4. The Puzzler Card Trick
4. Card in Pocket
5. The Obliging Card
6. The Joker Tells
7. Cards Behind Back
8. Mind Control
9. A Clever Spelling Trick
9. Another Spelling Trick
10. The Reversed Card
10. Mental Forecast
11. Advertisement

This is number three of Jordan's Ten New Tricks Series. Charles Jordan was an excellent and very innovative magician. He collected in this booklet tricks with balls, ring and rope, thimbles, a book mystery and more.

1st edition, 1920, Charles T. Jordan, Penngrove, CA; 23 pages.

1. Preface
2. 1. The Cord Restored
5. 2. A New Ring Release
8. 3. Coin Divination by James J. Moren
10. 4. Another Date-Reading Trick
12. 5. The Ubiquitous Poker Chips
14. 6. The "Full-View" Color-Changing Thimble
17. 7. The Letter-Mailing Mystery
19. 8. A Clean Ball Production
21. 9. A Manipulative Opening
22. 10. The Book Mystery

This is number one of Jordan's Ten New Tricks Series. It assumes you are familiar with some basic sleights like the Pass and the Palm.

1st edition, 1920, Charles T. Jordan; 24 pages.

1. Preface
2. 1. Satan's Prophecy
5. 2. The Spirit Mathematician
7. 3. Co-incidentally
10. 4. The Pinochle Ace Trick
12. 5. The Vanishing Card
14. 6. The Reversed Court Card
15. 7. The New Pack Detection
17. 8. The Life Saver
20. 9. The Impromptu Arranged Pack
23. 10. The Five Guesses

This is number five of Jordan's Ten New Tricks Series with contributions by Dr. E. G. Ervin and Louis C. Haley. It includes some of the most popular effects formerly marketed singly by Jordan.

1st edition, 1920, Charles T. Jordan, Penngrove; 23 pages.

2. Preface
3. 1. The Mesmerized Alarm Clock
4. 2. A Silk Production From Empty Hands
6. 3. The Bewitching Umbrella
8. 4. The Vanishing Coin
10. 5. Paper Tearing Supreme
12. 6. New Coin Trick
14. 7. The Psychic Ring Release
16. 8. The Impromptu Mind Reader
20. 9. Up Your Sleeve
21. 10. The Mystic Knife

This is number four of Jordan's Ten New Tricks Series. At one time Jordan prepared and sold faked cards and routines that went along with them. When he stopped doing this he decided to select the ten best faked card tricks and collect them in this booklet. You get the description of how to prepare the faked cards yourself as well as the routines.

1st edition, 1920, Penngrove, California; 24 pages.

2. Preface.
3. The Spirit Aces.
6. The Spook Card.
7. The Demon Color Change.
10. A Unique Reverse.
11. Divino.
13. Joker Monte.
14. Pedro Monte.
16. Speaking of Pink Elephants.
19. The Contrary Clock.
22. Transcendental Vision. ...

This is number two of Jordan's Ten New Tricks Series. It has contributions by T. Nelson Downs and Louis C. Haley.

1st edition, 1920, Penngrove, California; 23 pages.

1. Preface
2. The Amazing Aces.
5. Transposition Extraordinary. T. Nelson Downs.
8. The Straight-Jacket Reversed Card. Louis C. Haley.
10. The Triple Escape.
12. Reverse English on the X-Ray.
14. The Stabbed Pair.
15. The Brain Twister.
17. The Winged Cards.
19. The Spelling Fool!
21. The Suits Unscrambled.

This 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.

5. Foreword
7. Hand No. 1
7. Impromptu Card Tricks
7. 1. The Master Stop Trick
8. 2. Improved Satan's Phrophecy
10. 3. The Vanishing Pair
10. 4. The Four-To-One Detection
11. 5. The Assistance Card Trick
13. Hand No. 2
13. An Impromptu Routine
13. 1. The Inseparable...

Thirty 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.

1. Preface
2. Introduction
3. Trailing the Dovetail Shuffle to its Lair.
6. 1. Close-Range Mind Reading
7. 2. Long-Distance Mind Reading ...

The 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...

A 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.

5. Preface
11. I. Introduction
    14. The Dress
    15. The Table
    16. The Servante
    18. The Wand
    19. Concluding Observations
26. II. Principles of Sleight of Hand Applicable to Small Objects
    26. Palming
    29. Le Tourniquet
    29. The Finger Palm
    31. To Change a Coin
33. III. Tricks with Coins
    33. Magical Production of a Coin
    33. A New Coin Fold
    34. Coin and Candle
    35. The Invisible Flight
    36. Vanish for Duplicate ...

This 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...

Two 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:

The 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...

Florian Laplantif developed a card spelling system for all 53 cards (Joker included). If you like spelling tricks, check this one out.

This 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, 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. Effect, Brief Presentation and Patter.
4. Sleights Necessary to Performing the Triple Climax.
4. The...

Another 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.

1. Preface
5. Devious Digits
9. It's A Small World
12. Astral Addition
15. Projection
18. Pennies, Nickles and Dimes ...

Another 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.

• CHAPTER ONE
  3. Photograph of the Author
  9. Dedication
  10. Introduction by Theo Bamberg (Okito)
  11. Foreword by the Author
  22. The Principles of Magic
  25. Manipulation
  25. Substitution
  25. Duplication
  26. Camouflage
  26. Imitation
  26. False Partition
  26. Concealed Mechanism
  26. Falsification
  27. Arrangement
  27. Preparation
  27. Misdirection
  28. Concealment ...