Tops in Magazines & Journals

Tops was the house organ of the Abbott Magic & Novelty Co. Percy Abbott, the company founder and owner, served as the magazine's first editor as well as publisher. In 1940, Howard "Mel" Melson, Abbott's staff artist, began editing Tops, and continued doing so until his death in 1957, when the magazine ceased publication. It was succeeded in 1961 by The New Tops.

January 1957 - December 1957
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

93 pages - 3 Issues

1. The "Tops" - Volume 22, Number 1 - January 1957 - 32 pages
1. With the Editor - Percy Abbott
1. Contents
2. Reversed Six card Repeat (111) - Simplified Method - Roxy
3. Report On Chicago Magigals Assembly No. 9 - Sylvia Smith
3. re: The Great Levante
3. Dramatic Living and Dead Test
4. Thimbles, Thimbles - Again and Again - Roxy
4. re: Monk Watson
4. Ring-String - Ray Hutchinson
4. re: Chami Kkan
5. Amazing Card Miracles - Mahendra, The Mystic (F. B. Sterling)
   • Design for Wrist Watch Gimmic ...

January 1956 - December 1956
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

389 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 21, Number 1 - January 1956 - 32 pages
1. With the Editor - Mel
1. Contents
2. Bank Night Supreme - Roxy
3. Aero Silks - Bert Douglas
4. Another Thumb Tie
   • Patter and Presentation
5. Canary Asrah - George Jo0hnstone
5. re: feather flower cleaning
6. A Rising Card Climax - Bert Douglas
6. Cards, Nuts and Bill
7. Rapid Flight Cards - Karson
7. A Tip, Magi and Hypnotists
8. Bitzemall Egg Bag - Roxy
8. Blindfold Magic
9. All Do As I Do
9. re: Mrs. Audrey Guido blindfold drive
10. Encyclopedia...

January 1955 - December 1955
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

385 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 20, Number 1 - January 1955 - 32 pages
2. Floating Handkerchief
3. Perfect Transpo-Card - Rovelli (Tenente Jose Silvestre)
4. Silks in Chick-A-Dee - Anthony Dunn
4. Useful Cigarette Sleights - Roxy
   • Number One
   • Number Two
   • Number Three
5. Another Torn Restored Newspaper - Wilford Hutchinson
5. Penetra - Roxy
6. Tricks of East Indian Magicians - Part 3 - Eddie Joseph
   • The Cups and Balls
     • The Sleights
     • The Routine
   • The Egg Bag
10. Handkerchief-Rope...

January 1954 - December 1954
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

389 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 19, Number 1 - January 1954 - 32 pages
1. With the Editor - Mel
1. Contents
2. Ultra Four-Ace Trick - Billy Bell
2. Fifty-Fifty - S. Stern
   • Second Method
   • Suggestions for Preparing Props
4. Drum Head Tube Routine - James Reneaux
5. Simple Memorization
6. re: Goodliffe
6. re: Monk Watson
6. The Spider and the Pips - Lu Brant
8. Predicto - A Super Mental Card Test - Roxy
8. Some Patter in Rhyme
   • Dyeing or Color Changing
   • For Children's Shows
   • For Dyeing Other Colors ...

January 1953 - December 1953
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

385 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 18, Number 1 - January 1953 - 32 pages
1. With the Editor - Percy Abbott
1. Contents
2. Magical Card Finesse - Jerry Hornak
   • Sleights with Cards
     • A Rare Control
     • A Succeeding Control
     • Riffle Strip Control
     • Three Controls
       • Basic Move
       • 1 - Side Slip Action
       • 2 - Palm Slip Action
       • 3 - The Crimp Action
     • Ace Control
4. Remember Twenty-Two - Dr. Maurice
5. Some Magical Twists - V. C. Kitchen

January 1952 - December 1952
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

385 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 17, Number 1 - January 1952 - 32 pages
1. With the Editor - Mel
1. Contents
2. A Novel Ring Release - Oswald Harrington
2. Three Minds and a Card - A Different Working Method - Roxy
3. Bird Cage in Square Circle - Louis Ward
4. A Flash Billiard Ball Sleight - Cleveland Miller, Jr.
4. Color Changing Balls - Prince Drakon
5. Two E-Z Card Sleights - Roxy
5. Astrologia - Howard P. Albright - continued
   • Sealed Message Reading Routine No. 2
   • Prompter-Cards for Use in Connection...

January 1951 - December 1951
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

385 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 16, Number 1 - January 1951 - 32 pages
3. With the Editor - Mel
3. Contents
4. Lota-Gorda - George F. Wright
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter - Good Wishes
5. Matching the Card - Carl C. Newbold
6. Spotting the Spot - Eddie Joseph
6. Envelope and Handkerchief - Augustus Rapp
7. Coin and Matchbox Effect - Joseph Ovette
7. [Stewart] James Case Dismissed
8. So It's Laughs You Want! - Bob Brethen
   • Fun with Talking Teeth
   • The Party - A Skit with Talking Teeth
9. A Card in Balloon Idea - Joseph...

January 1950 - December 1950
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

385 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 15, Number 1 - January 1950 - 32 pages
3. With the Editor - Mel
3. Contents
4. Wright's Steal Pass - George F. Wright
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • Death of Tom Bowyer
   • reviews
     • Mental Magic - Al Baker
   • Origin of the Center Tear
   • Questions and Answers
9. cartoon - Otho Blake
9. A Close-Up Fooler - Clettis V. Musson
9. Passed Through a Flame - Ken de Courcy
10. For Vents Only - George McAthy
    • Dialog - Ed Hall ...

January 1949 - December 1949
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

385 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 14, Number 1 - January 1949 - 32 pages
3. With the Editor - Mel
3. Contents
4. An Appreciation! - Percy Abbott - re: Howard Melson
4. A Toast to the Flag
4. New Indianapolis Store Open
4. re: Edgar Bergen & Jim Sherman
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • reviews
     • new effect from Eddie Joseph
     • Forbidden Wisdom - Howard Albright
     • I.O.U. - C. V. Tebbetis
     • Six Foolers with a Miniature Skull - Eddie Joseph - re; Skullo
     • Laugh Card ...

January 1948 - December 1948
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

393 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 13, Number 1 - January 1948 - 32 pages
1. Cover - Bill Baird
3. With the Editor - Mel
3. Contents
4. Bill Baird - "BB" for Billiard Balls!
4. Cook Heads Montana Magi
4. re: Dr. Aaron Weiss
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • Questions and Answers
6. Vancouver Magic Circle
6. re: Herb Antes
6. re: J. C. Bisbee
6. Thought Lost (or The Flying Signature) - R. F. Sparks
7. Features Abbott Effects - photo - re: Tommy Windsor
7. Panama Rope Trick Idea - Carroll...

January 1947 - December 1947
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

393 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 12, Number 1 - January 1947 - 32 pages
1. Cover - Kathryne Campbell
3. With the Editor - Mel
3. Contents
4. Kathryne Campbell - Vent with Loring!
4. Colorado Magicians Honor [J. B.] Bobo
4. re: John Musselman
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • reviews
     • You Don't Have To Be Crazy Bit It Helps - Francis Ireland
     • Million-Dollar Bridge and Poker Demonstartions - Thompson
     • Dope Sheet - Tommy Windsor
     • 12 Ways to Use The Comedy Lit Cigar...

January 1946 - December 1946
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

385 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 11, Number 1 - January 1946 - 32 pages
1. Cover - Duke Stern
3. With the Editor - Mel
3. Contents
4. Duke Stern - Gay Musicican-Magician
4. Ideas on "Repeat-It" - J. Milton Crowson
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • reviews
     • More Tips on Tricks - Milbourne Christopher
     • Hugard's Magic Monthly, Volumes 1 & 2 - bound volume
     • My Best - J. G. Thompson, Jr., compiler
     • The Owl - periodical
   • Questions and Answers
7. re:...

January 1945 - December 1945
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

385 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 10, Number 1 - January 1945 - 32 pages
1. Cover - Cazan
3. With the Editor - Mel
3. Contents
4. Cazan - The Girl Houdini!
4. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • reviews
     • The Trick Brain - Dariel Fitzkee
     • The Modern Magi, November
     • Card Mastery - Michael MacDougall
   • Questions and Answers
7. Magic Promotes War Drives
8. Drink Your Milk - Gene Gloye
9. Stoogeless Tie Trick - Sheldon Levy
9. Or Would You Rather Be a Dope? - McAthy's...

January 1944 - December 1944
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

389 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 9, Number 1 - January 1944 - 32 pages
1. Cover - Joe Ovette
3. With the Editor - Mel
3. Contents
4. The Great Ovette - Nuff Said!
4. Thanks for Holiday Greetings - Percy Abbott
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • reviews
     • Tarbell Course, Volume 3
     • Fleming Book Reviews No. 50
     • Hugard's Magic Monthly, December
   • Questions and Answers
7. re: Bob Haxton
7. re: John J. Oakes
8. "Magic on Broadway" - Al Minder
9. Talk About Philadelphia...

January 1943 - December 1943
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

393 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 8, Number 1 - January 1943 - 32 pages
1. Cover - R. S. Glover
3. With the Editor - Mel
3. Contents
4. Meet Professor Glover, M. M.
4. Another Milk Vanish Idea - "Hen" Fetsch
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • Tarbell Course, Volume 2
   • Miracle Methods Number Three - book - Hugrad & Braue
   • Easy Magic - "Windy Higgins" with Paul Stadelman
   • Questions and Answers
9. Karrell Fox Serves Magic
10. re: Dell O'Dell
10. Magician Plays Alaskan Circuit -...

January 1942 - December 1942
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

413 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 7, Number 1 - January 1942 - 36 pages
1. Cover - Sid Lorraine
3. With the Editor
3. Contents
4. The Facts of Life in the case of Sid Lorraine
4. Land and Water Trick
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • The Figure Fiend - book - R. A. Burley
   • Mother Goose Mystery - trick - Martin Gardner
   • Questions and Answers
7. Color Prediction - Joseph Brandi
8. The Campbell Caravan - Loring and Kathryne Campbell
8. Super-X Scores in Show
9. Magical Crossword...

January 1941 - December 1941
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

638 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 6, Number 1 - January 1941 - 52 pages
3. Index - Contents (including advertisers)
4. Editorial - Mel
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • Questions and Answers
9. Jumbo Discovery - Bryce Chambers
10. Bingo - A New Clever Novelty Trick
10. re: J. C. Bisbee
11. Where Was I? - "Monk" Watson
12. The Card Trick Without a Deck - Allan Lambie
13. Sucker Die Box Gag
14. Chinese Lantern Trick - Otto Waldmann
15. The Stuck Card Trick
15. Bury Peter Rabbit
15. Swann Suggested...

January 1940 - December 1940
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor
Howard Melson "Mel", Editor

636 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 5, Number 1 - January 1940 - 52 pages
3. Index - Contents (including advertisers)
4. Editorial - Percy Abbott
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • 1940 Good Wishes to You and Yours
   • A Magici8an in the House - Sid Lorraine - correction
   • Testimonial
7. Magicians Guild of America - Recil Bordner
8. Fitzkee's Story - Dariel Fitzkee
9. The Magicians Guild Convention - Ken MacEachin
10. E. J. Moore Sick Fund
11. Conjuring Potpourri - John Braun

January 1939 - December 1939
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor

621 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 4, Number 1 - January 1939 - 60 pages
3. Index - Contents (including advertisers)
4. Editorial - Percy Abbott
   • WE Give Thanks
5. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • A Few Questions and Answers
7. "Majah", Indian Mystic
7. re: Will Rock
7. "Greater Magic"
7. New York State Conclave
8. Dusting Off Some Old Ones - Eddie Joseph
   • The Travelling Coins - Joseph's Routine
10. Conjuring Potpourri - John Braun
12. Corrections - for December Issue of "Potpourri"
12. Fleming Trophy...

January 1938 - December 1938
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor

659 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 3, Number 1 - January 1938 - 52 pages
3. Index - Contents (including advertisers)
4. Editorial - Percy Abbott
   • Happy Birthday To You
6. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • Pig On the Slate by U. F. Grant not Oswald Williams
   • Loyd's Mystery Wand - trick
   • Questions and Answers
9. The Permeating Pasteboard - Arthur H. Roberts
10. Accumulated Magic - Ed Burchell
    • Cigarette Vanish
    • Another Cigarette Vanish
    • Eating A Lighted Cigarette
    • Silk Production ...

January 1937 - December 1937
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor

649 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 2, Number 1 - January 1937 - 52 pages
3. Index - Contents (including advertisers)
4. Editorial - Percy Abbott
5. New Magic Club - The Keystone Ring of Harrisburg
5. Harlan Tarbell's Health
6. The "Tops" Policy
6. Is This A Pipe Dream? - letter from Julius Hopkins
7. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
   • Thoughts About a Year of Tops
   • Questions and Answers
9. Variation of Rope Trick - Erwin Forsythe
10. The Drop Cigarette Move - Percy Abbott
10. Continuous Front and Back Palm With Lighted...

January 1936 - December 1936
Abbott's Magic Novelty Company
Percy Abbott, Publisher and Editor

585 pages

1. The "Tops" - Volume 1, Number 1 - January 1936 - 36 pages
3. The Policy of this Magazine
4. Sid Lorraine's Chatter
5. Trading Center - announcement
8. Magicians Are The "Tops" - Alvin Richard Plough
10. We Remember - Lester Lake (Marvelo)
11. Our Nobel Prize For Today
    • Percy Abbott
12. Continual Production of Lighted Pipes - Lu-Brent
13. Why Not A Contest?
14. I'm Telling You - H. Adrian Smith
    • Snooping Around In Magic
15. Editorial - Percy Abbott
16. The Coin Cards - W. C. Oates
18. Tops and...