Magic: page 340

In Miracle Mongers and their Methods, Harry Houdini turns a critical eye to wonders such as 'The Incombustible Spaniard' or 'Defiers of Poisonous Reptiles'. The timeless fascination with miracles and astonishing claims makes this classic as timely as when it was originally written.

1st edition, 1920, Dutton; reprinted, 1980, Cole; reprinted, 1981/1993, Prometheus; 240 pages.

1. I.Fire worship. - Fire eating and heat resistance. - The Middle Ages. - Among the Navajo Indians. - Fire-Walkers of Japan. - The Fiery Ordeal of Fiji
17. II.Watton's Ship-swabber from the Indies. - Richardson, 1667. -...

Paper is a fascinating product. Being the son of a paper maker (my father worked many years for a paper manufacturer) I developed early on a fondness to paper. And Houdini's Paper Magic is all about paper. Tricks with paper, paper folding, paper tearing, and paper puzzles. It seems today paper folding was replaced by balloon modeling. I have only seen once an act entirely based on paper tearing. Maybe this ebook version of Houdini's Paper Magic inspires one to build an act around paper. This book is definitely a good start. The Modern Conjurer has also an excellent chapter on paper folding.

Paul Fleming wrote:

Houdini writes about the famous mediums in his time. Names like Palladino and Ann O'Delia Diss Debar should ring a bell. He also elaborates on his exchanges with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who was a firm believer in spirits and paranormal phenomena.

1st edition, 1924, Harper & Row, New York; reprint 1972, Arno Press, New York; 296 pages.

11. Introduction
12. Preface
1. I. The Founders of Modern Spiritualism
17. II. The Davenport Brothers
38. III. Daniel Dunglas Home
50. IV. Palladino
66. V. Ann O'Delia Diss Debar
79. VI. Dr. Slade and His Spirit Slates
101. VII. Slate Writing and Other Methods
117. VIII. Spirit Photography ...

Houdini shines in this book. Handcuffs are his passion. He knows every little detail about them and every nuance in their mechanism. Houdini was not a particular good magician, but as an escape artist he is still unsurpassed. Thus, if you would like to know more about handcuffs and their inner workings, this book is for you.

1st edition, 1909, George Routledge & Sons, London; later reprinted by Magico Magazine, New York; 110 pages.

9. Preface
1. I.Introductory
8. II.Opening Sealed Handcuffs
13. III.Blunders of some Handcuff Exposers
25. IV.Fake or Spoof Manacle
33. V.American Manacles
42. VI.French Letter...

Harry Houdini spent a good part of his life exposing mediums and 'unexplainable' phenomena. In this booklet he describes the case of the Boston "Margery" and the prize the Scientific American put up for true paranormal effects. He not only clearly describes and demonstrates the tricks of this very clever medium but also tells the difficulties surrounding the actual exposure. Houdini was world class in the role of the detective. It is fascinating to read how he sensitised his leg to be able to feel the slightest movement the medium made.

Margery or Mina Stinson (1888–1941) was born in Canada...

Learn coin magic from the best coin manipulator ever - the "King of Koins". T. Nelson Downs' original "Miser's Dream" is still unsurpassed. He invented many other new and innovative moves. The unique feature of this book is that it includes many photos of the hands of Downs detailing every important sequence in a move. He also offers helpful tips on presentation, patter, and other techniques. Another excellent book by T. Nelson Downs is The Art of Magic.

1st edition, 1900?, Hamley Brothers, London?; 1999 reprinted under the title "Classic Coin Tricks" by Dover Publishing, New York; 244 pages.

• CHAPTER...

The collaboration of T. Nelson Downs and John Northern Hilliard produced this wonderful book. Downs was the first to introduce an act with small objects onto the vaudeville stage. He was most famous for his coin manipulation, and in particular for his version of the "Miser's Dream". The Art of Magic covers sleights with cards, coins, and balls, and teaches many tricks and routines with detailed explanations from the master.

The card section in this book was epoch making. It features the first appearance in print of the side steal. Based on the number of pages dealing with card magic this is more a card book than...

Houdini was upset that the widow of Robert-Houdin did not want to meet him. As a revenge Harry Houdini wrote The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin, in which Houdini tries to push Robert-Houdin from his pedestal. He tries to show that most tricks Robert-Houdin claimed as his invention were in fact not his invention and that Robert-Houdin was not this great magician he usually is thought he was. But most of Houdini's allegations are fabricated and do not stand close inspection. Jean Hugard wrote as response to Houdini's nasty book Houdini's Unmasking, where Hugard point for point refutes Houdini's argumentation. I personally favor Hugard's opinion,...

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. It is a magnificent book featuring tricks from Germain, Conradi, Goldston, Okito, Elliott, and others. It is very difficult to get a hardcopy these days. Other books in this top 10 list are

Paul Fleming wrote:

"No Code" Telepathy. A complete routine, with explanations, of pseudo-telepathy between two people. It can be learned in one evening, its running time is 30 minutes, and everything necessary can be carried on the person.

1st edition 1940, PDF 13 pages.

2. Duo - Telepathy. Robert H. Parrish.
4. Impromptu Frame Up. Annemann.
5. Telepathy On The Cuff. Robert H. Parrish.
6. The Perfect Book Test.
6. The Secret Order Of The Aces. Annemann.
8. Thoughts In The Air. Annemann.
10. Last Minute Notes.
13. Ads.

A "No Card" Mystery Act. Completely routined and fully described, this 25 minute presentation has only a total carrying weight of 6 pounds, and does not make use of playing cards.

1st edition 1939, PDF 18 pages.

2. The Classic Cigarette. Lu-Brent
3. A Visible Cigarette Vanisher. Lu-Brent
5. Coins, En Route! Ottokar Fischer
6. Brr!! (Meaning 'Very Cold'). Otis Manning
7. The Spectral Seamstress. Charles T. Jordan
9. Lock and Key. Henry Fetsch
11. The Lucky Number Magic Square. Royal V. Heath
13. The Mystery of the Blackboard.
15. Last Minute Notes.
18. Ads.

A completely routined and explained magical club program running thirty minutes. All may be carried in a suitcase.

1st edition 1939, PDF 22 pages.

2. A Flash Ribbon Restoration. John K. Bays.
5. Twentieth Century Cards. Annemann.
6. Simplex Torn Card And Balloon. Lu-Brent.
8. The Lemon And The Dollar. Conrad Bush.
10. The Supreme East Indian Needle Feat. Annemann.
14. The Super Slates. Annemann.
15. A Ring In Transit. Eddie Clever.
17. Finale Trick. Keith Clark.
20. Last Minute Notes.
22. Ads.

A completely routined and fully described thirty-minute act for one person, the necessary material for which may be carried in a brief case.

1st edition 1938, PDF 17 pages.

1. A Mental Club Act
3. Two Papers and a Spectator
6. Synthetic Sympathy (Annemann)
7. The Lie Detective (Stuart Robson)
8. The Twentieth Century Newspaper Test (Stuart Robson)
10. Triple Coercion (Annemann)
12. Slate Immortality (Robert Parrish)
14. Extra-Sensory Perception (Annemann)
16. Last Minute Notes.
17. Advertisement

This routined and fully explained program of magic runs approximately 25 minutes and can be carried in a brief case.

1st edition 1938, PDF 14 pages.

2. A Cigarette Rolled By Proxy. Orville Meyer.
3. The Henry E. Dixie Cigarette Vanish.
5. The Itinerant Dollar. Jacob Steisel.
7. A Matter Of Policy. Annemann.
8. Seven Keys To Baldpate. Annemann.
9. The Torn Deck Location. Julian J. Proskauer.
11. The Acme Thought Card Pass. Dr. Jacob Daley and Annemann.
14. Ads.

Annemann has created a wonderfully direct telephone book test where he has eliminated faked books, pads, mathematical oddities, forcing decks and the thousand and one "foreign" objects that have been used in combination. He incorporated an Al Baker idea to make this a true miracle. You also get notes added by Kanter's magic shop which further explain various details and important points.

first edition, 1932; 2 pages.

Annemann describes a wealth of forty pieces in this wonderful booklet. The first, "Call me up sometime" is a beautifully direct telephone miracle. This is a prime example of Annemann's mantra of 'effect before method'.

I found the following line from Annemann's introduction funny:

1st edition 1934; 50 pages.

5. Call Me Up Sometime
6. The Borrowed Deck Tragedy
7. Help Wanted In The Dark
9. A Thought...

A complete, routined act of telepathy, mind reading, and clairvoyance, designed for two people, and possible of being presented before a most critical audience. The minimum of preparation is necessary for the maximum of effect.

Paul Fleming wrote:

This was the first book Annemann wrote. It has a glowing introduction by Al Baker, although later in their lives Al and Ted were not always the best of friends. As Annemann himself writes in the foreword, you will find routines employing simple methods and direct to-the-point presentations. This is mentalism at its best without any clutter confusing the effect. A few rare photos of Annemann performing can be found as well.

first edition, 1931, Max Holden; 62 pages

7. Introduction
8. Foreword
10. The 'Really New' Locator Card
11. An Original Set Up Discovery
13. One in Fourteen
14. A New Thought Card Spelling Effect ...

A collection of twelve typically ingenious Annemann creations, from the pages of The Sphinx.

first edition, 1952, Sphinx Publishing Corporation; 16 pages.

1. East Indian Needle Feat
2. Cigarette in Bill Again
4. Mentalex?
4. Telephone Mystery
5. Attention Mentalists
6. No Title at All
7. Three Card Monte Outdone
8. The Master Mind
12. My Original Swami Test
14. Improvement 8,000
14. Slate Writing Wrinkle
15. Club or Stage Mental Number
15. A Mediumistic Stunt

Annemann teaches thirteen commercial mentalism pieces with slates, cards, dollar bills, telephone books and cigarettes. The majority of routines involves cards. Annemann's unique direct style is felt in each one of these effects.

Paul Fleming wrote:

This booklet is indeed a bargain, with effects by Hewitt, J. G. Thompson and Annemann. Among the effects you will find the famous Mental Masterpiece from Annemann.

1st edition 1935, PDF 16 pages.

1. Annemann's Diabolo Pellet Reading
2. The Modern Mindreader (Hewitt)
4. Annemann's Psychic Writing
5. Annemann's Mental Masterpiece
7. The New Double Telepathy Routine (Annemann)
8. Greta Annemann's Eyes of the Unknown
10. 30th Century Television (Hewitt and Annemann)
11. Coincidence (Hewitt)
12. Penetrating Vision (J. G. Thompson)
14. The Impromptu Mind Reader
15. GETIT! (Annemann)

If you have ever wondered what is the best way to force a card or number or item in a certain situation, then you can stop wondering. This booklet is nothing but forcing methods. It is ideal if you design your own routines and would like to find the most suitable force. It is also great for people who have problems with one or another force, since here they will find other methods to reach the same outcome. Very simply said, get this ebook and stop worrying about your forces.

You could also get the version which includes Victor Farelli's notes: 202 Methods of Forcing - with Victor Farelli Notes.

first edition, 1933, Max Holden, New York;...

Another great booklet from Annemann. It describes in detail his one man routine. Annemann wove together some of the greatest mental tricks. He discusses the question Magic vs. Mindreading and shares other invaluable advice with the reader. If you do mental magic you already know that anything from Annemann is a must read. If you just start with mental magic, read as much from Annemann as you can get your hands on.

Paul Fleming wrote:

This book packs almost 200 mental miracles, many of which are creations of one of the masters of mental magic - Ted Annemann. You will find the best book tests, psychic codes, tricks with slates, blindfold reading, publicity effects, and much more. This book together with Annemann's Card Magic covers a good part of the famous Jinx magazine, of which Annemann was editor.

Paul Fleming wrote:

Max Maven writes in the introduction to Spirited Pasteboards: