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Al Baker

Al Baker

(Poughkeepsie, New York: 4th September 1874 - 24th October 1951)

Learned at age 12 when father taught a simple trick, then from a Hoffmann book. Pro comedy magus since 1895, soon adding vent. A Chautauqua star c1911-c1928. Partner with Martin Sunshine of Broadway Magic Shop in New York City in early 1930s (since 1931). Mentor of Bill Arenholz, Leslie P. Guest, etc. One of the 5 original members of the New York "Inner Circle" by 1932. Voted one of the 10 Card Stars in 1938. Named 3rd Dean of American Magicians in 1938. SAM Hall of Fame. Father-in-law of Jay Marshall 1940-53.

Invented the Think Stop Trick (by 1919), Untying Silk (by 1919), probably the Purse Frame (late 1920s), the Baker Slate (in 1929), the Albaka card trick (1933), the Baker-Scope (by 1936), Number Please (by 1936, with Walsh), the Chewing Gum Trick (by 1937), Biting a Plate (by 1940), Al Producto (by 1940), The Vanishing Pencil (by 1941), Vocalepathy (by 1941), The Travelling Pencils (by 1941), & the Umbrella Move (by 1949).

Wrote 5 books: Al Baker's Book (1933, 32pp), Al Baker's Second Book (1935, 32pp), Magical Ways and Means (1941, 135pp), How to Perform Mental Magic (1949, 116pp), and Pet Secrets (1951, 111pp), all classics. Also the booklets Al Baker's Complete Manuscript (1923) and Cardially Yours (1933).

Coauthors: Roy Benson, Al Flosso, Robert Harbin, Leo (Mohammed Bey) Horowitz, "Think-a-Drink" Hoffman, Eugene Laurant, Magini, Miaco, Russell Swann

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Al Baker
Al Baker's Book by Al Baker

From the introduction:

Showing a trick is comparatively easy to putting it clearly in print, and I want to thank Anneman for his judicious use of the blue pencil, finding spots where I could write less and tell more, and in general, being a marvelous deleter and paraphraser.

To John Northern Hilliard, whom I consider the greatest writer on Magic as an Art, I want to extend my sincere thanks for the encouragement that caused me to start and finally finish my maiden effort, to wit: Al Baker's Book.

  • to My Friends, Magic Lovers
  • Al Baker's Pack That Cuts Itself
  • The One Man "Lights Up" Seance
  • A Card And A Number ...
★★★★★ $7
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Al Baker
Al Baker's Second Book by Al Baker

From the introduction:

In presenting my "second" book to the magical fraternity I have kept in mind the old saw, "Brevity is the soul, not only of wit, but applies to many magical tricks".

I have tried to make the text brief and, by giving plenty of illustrations, cut down on too much solid type. I give no patter as I feel that every entertainer should be himself and develop a style of his own.

Fred Keating rose to stardom. "The Bird Cage", "Sympathetic Silks" and "Card in the Cigarette" were marvellous in his hands; others copied, but Keating's name still lives. "Be a magician, not...

★★★★★ $7
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Al Baker
Cardially Yours by Al Baker

Here's a terrific ebook with seven mental-flavored card miracles that you will surely add to your arsenal. Written by Al Baker, past Dean of Magic for the famed Society of American Magicians, these effects are entertaining, yet do not require difficult sleight of hand. Your audiences will enjoy watching them as much as you will enjoy performing them.

Here's what's included:

Color Flight - A beautifully routined Cards Across effect where three selected blue backed cards travel across the stage and join a packet of red backed cards.

Out on Location - A great card location that looks absolutely...

★★★ $6
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Al Baker & Roy Benson & Al Flosso & Robert Harbin & Leo (Mohammed Bey) Horowitz & "Think-a-Drink" Hoffman & Eugene Laurant & Magini & Miaco & Russell Swann
Our Mysteries by Al Baker & Roy Benson & Al Flosso & Robert Harbin & Leo (Mohammed Bey) Horowitz & "Think-a-Drink" Hoffman & Eugene Laurant & Magini & Miaco & Russell Swann

A wonderful selection of tricks illustrated by Harlan Tarbell with an introduction by John Mulholland. For each author a short biographical sketch is included at the end of the book.

THE FINGER KNOWS—AND TELLS (Al Baker) A truly amazing example of mind reading.

THE GLASS TRICK (Roy Benson) An instantaneous, and seemingly impossible, disappearance of a handkerchief.

SEVEN COINS (Al Flosso) A clever sleight to cause several coins to go from one hand to the other.

THE PIERCED CARDS (Robert Harbin) An excellent manipulative method by which selected cards are caused to appear on a ribbon.

DUO-FLIGHT (Leo Hartz;...

$10
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Al Baker
This Will Open Your Eyes: Al Baker's Exclusive Twenty-Five Dollar Manuscript by Al Baker

Add to your arsenal of outstanding mental and card effects with this hard to find manuscript from a recognized master of deception. These exclusive secrets will serve you in good stead throughout your performing career, no matter whether you're a professional, semi-pro, or hobbyist.

Contains ten effects, plus as many as four methods for performing each one, all patiently and painstakingly explained. You may, in fact, chuckle to yourself as you read the practical, yet diabolical methods -- they're so darned clever. They all have the "Baker Twist", where gimmicks and ruses are used on the off...

★★★★★ $8
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