Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin

Subtitled: Their tricks exposed or the art of always winning

Translated from the French of Robert-Houdin by William J. Hilliar. Robert-Houdin wrote this book primarily as an expose to reduce the number of people being cheated. He writes in his preface: "Enlighten the dupes and there will be no more cheats."

1st edition 1903; original 201 pages; PDF 145

Table of Contents

4. PREFACE
6. PUBLISHER'S NOTE

   CARD-SHARPERS

9. A Dangerous Teacher
15. CHAPTER I: The Modern Greeks
18. CHAPTER II: The Greek Of The Fashionable World
20. CHAPTER III: The Greek Of The Middle Class
24. CHAPTER IV: The Greek Of The Gambling...

This is a great book written by one of the greatest magicians of all time, Robert-Houdin. He describes in his own words his development from a little boy to a star performer. How he started as a watchmaker, performed in the St. James Theater, and ended up helping France with a conflict with the Marabouts. Read it. Highly recommended.

1st UK edition, 1859, Chapman & Hall, London; 1st edition US edition, 1859, Geo. G. Evans, Philadelphia; reprint, circa 1880, Porter & Coates, Philadelphia; reprint, 1942, Laurie, London; reprint, 1944, Jones; reprint, 1964, Dover; 436 pages.

3. Editor's Preface ...

The original title is Les Secrets de la Prestidigitation et de la Magie. It was the collection of lessons and information Robert-Houdin intended to teach his sons to make them expert magicians. However, his sons did have other interests, mechanics and military, which led him to publish his recordings as book. Prof. Hoffmann has translated this masterpiece into English.

• Editor's Preface
• Author's Preface
• Introduction
• Home of Robert-Houdin
• Conjuring and Its Professors
• Art of Conjuring
• Coin Conjuring
• General Principles
• Coin Tricks
• Card Conjuring
• Sundry Expedients
• Cups and Balls
• Various Tricks ...

Translated by Professor Hoffmann.

• PREFACE
• CHAPTER I. The Theatre Of Robert-Houdin
• CHAPTER II. A Conjuror’s Stage Arrangements
• CHAPTER III. Handkerchief Tricks
• CHAPTER IV. The Light And Heavy Chest
• CHAPTER V. The Hundred Candles Lighted By A Pistol Shot
• CHAPTER VI. The Ghost Illusion
• CHAPTER VII. The Indian Basket Trick
• CHAPTER VIII. Spiritualistic Manifestations
• CHAPTER IX. The Bust Of Socrates
• CHAPTER X. A Curious Effect In Acoustics
• CHAPTER XI. The Decapitated Speaking
• CHAPTER XII. The Protean Cabinet
• CHAPTER XIII. The Feats Of The Davenport Brothers
• CHAPTER XIV. The Enchanted...

The first part consists of stories about cardsharks and other crooks from Robert-Houdin's recollections. This is very readable and an entertaining part of the work. The second part explains some of the technical details of the methods used by cardsharks. However, the methods are for the most part only described in very rudimentary form. As Robert-Houdin writes himself, this is not meant as a way to teach you how to do it, but merely to give the reader insight in how the different ruses are accomplished. Nevertheless, it provides interesting insight into the ways and means of cardsharks.

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