On a budget? Can't find audience-friendly magic at the magic shop? Then build your own with this great collection of 52 magic tips, ideas, patter and suggestions (or in other words, T.I.P.S.)
Even if you're all thumbs, the author's clear descriptions and illustrations makes it easy to craft amazing effects, props and utility items. He also reveals the source of an incredible building material, as well as finishing tips.
Magic reviewers, dealers and magicians everywhere all agree that TIPS contains the largest collection of new, easy to make practical magic than books five times the price....
Christopher reveals his favorite tips, ideas, gags, patter and effects from his own shows. Get more from the magic you already own.
Divided into three parts, you get Tips on Tricks; Nite Club Magic (featuring suggestions from the author and Russell Swann); and Up From the Audience - a chapter of practical tips for getting the best audience helpers up on stage to assist you.
A wealth of practical, tested material for any performer, written by the author who brought you Stretching A Rope. One of the finest values in magic.
"[A] non-padded presentation of bits, gags and "business" that any active wizard can...
Fabian, in the role as literary and technical editor of Abracadabra magazine, selected and edited these routines.
A delightful book of well-written and beautifully illustrated and top-quality magic. Contains seventeen tricks and tips, most suitable for close-up presentation. Illustrated by Bob Gunther, former Disney animator.
Partial contents:
What a wonderful book on sleight of hand magic with small objects this is - profusely illustrated with more than 200 photos, by a recognized inventor, author, and reviewer of magic.
From the introduction by Blackstone:
But, there has always been a dearth of practical routines, probably due to the difficulty encountered by most magicians in linking tricks into a smoothly flowing series of mysteries and, perhaps, because of some innate trait of laziness found in most of us. That is why I am so impressed and pleased with the text of Jim’s book. It truly helps to fill an unfortunate gap in magical...
From the introduction by Milbourne Christopher:
I first heard of Jim Thompson in the pages of Ted Annemann's Jinx. Then his main interest was mental magic. I have never seen him perform but I have seen many magicians use the tricks he has put into print. I always visualize him as a mild mannered man who would make an excellent beacon in a blackout. See his "Moonlight Madness," page 301 in Annemann's Practical Mental Effects, or page 265 in My Best.
This current volume of "Top Secrets" is the second in a planned trilogy. You have most of the objects needed for the feats described. If something special is required, Jim will tell you how to make it, or where to buy it....
From the introduction by Martin Gardner:
With this distinguished background it is little wonder that his latest series of books, Top Secrets of Magic, of which this is the third, is a veritable treasure trove of material, clearly and simply explained, and displaying a remarkable knowledge of what has been done and is being done today in every branch of conjuring. The large clear photographs make the text delightfully easy to follow. Magicians throughout the world will look forward now to volume 4, then 5, and as many more as Jim will find time to write, for he is putting together a series of such scope...
Many consider this the definitive version of this now classic effect. The recording includes not just the instructions but also the music for your actual performance. However keep in mind that this is not a royalty free music.
Additionally to the audio you will also download a PDF with many photographs taken to show a step by step method of constructing and performing this great effect. Photographs were taken by Martin Breese.
This is a licensed reproduction of the famous Magicassette and MagiCD series created by Martin Breese - now owned by Lybrary.com.
1st edition 1978
In Tractare (a Latin word that means "to handle") the exploration of unusual effects continues. Tractare features magic that is easy to do, based on a subtlety or simple move, but nothing that really requires sleights or finger flinging. Here you are able to beguile your audiences while making them smile, laugh, engage and become part of your show.
From the preface:
This being a magic book, it's only appropriate to begin with a trick question:
What's a sleight?
Careful; I told you it was a trick question.
Forgetting dictionary definitions for the moment, as magicians we can rattle...
The Professional Worker Series is a selection of targeted and focused ebooks which offer professional, sound advice on a number of key performance areas. The ebooks are written in an easy to understand style which cuts out all the waffle and padding, and instead gets right to the core of each subject.
Volume 2 in this series concentrates on how to use magic at trade shows and business exhibitions. For many years I have been working at business events using my strolling magic as a highly effective way to put across company messages and to help promote them at their exhibitions. My approach...
An original blurb read: Tragic Magic containing original magical sketches, tricks, some humour, and many interesting items that will grip you.
From The Sphinx: And here is another one that awakens my cereberzation - Harry Leat's Tragic Magic. Here is a book of 122 pages of the queerest conglomeration of sense and non-sense, good magic and irrelative matter - yet relating to magic - that has yet crossed my rugged editorial path. The table of contents lists 42 items, and I advise the purchaser of the book not to skip a single one of them. I do not know why the book is named Tragic Magic, for the magic...
Tricks about travel and more.
Here's a selection of cool self-working magic and mentalism tricks perfect for close-up and stand-up.
For example: The spectator freely selects a luggage label that has a holiday destination written on it. When a world map is opened, their chosen destination is circled.
Or how about this: A selection of postcards is shown - they're moved from the back of the pile to the front. When the spectator calls 'STOP!' the very next postcard is the only one with a hand-written message on it.
Or: Three luggage labels with vacation destinations written on them are...
Alexander de Cova performs mostly stand-up, that means his magic is suitable for the small stage or platform. But many of his routines can also done close-up. In these lecture notes you will find some of his best effects, sleights, gimmicks, tips and ideas.
Alexander is a strong believer in utility sleights that can be used in different routines. Therefore you will find lots of material that deals with new techniques or variations on existing things which you can incorporate in your own routines and tricks.
1st edition 2004, 28 pages.
Table of Contents
Trick Tac is an effect where you balance a Tic tac box in an impossible way on your finger. It is very easy to do and once you made the gimmick it lasts you for a long time.
Consider these:
1st edition 2016, length 7 min.
This is number 4.5 of the Paul Diamond "Gems of Magic Book" series.
1st edition 1974, 23 pages; 1st digital edition 2015 PDF 23 pages.
From the foreword:
There are tricks that put us on the track of different (and sometimes better) problems. For example: the principle of the production box described in this booklet may be adapted for other purposes.
Being a collection of easily built tricks and small illusions.
1st edition 1944, 30 pages; PDF 30 pages.
Clever conjuring with common objects. Illustrated with 134 photographs.
From the introduction:
The following chapters will be found to be practical lessons in conjuring. Many people have the erroneous idea that if they know how a trick is done they are quite capable of presenting it to an audience. I have always found that a very little experience will show such persons that the mere knowledge of the secret of a trick is not of much value to a beginner unless it is accompanied by some simple instructions showing him the best way of using his knowledge. Therefore, I shall not merely give...
Learn what and what not to do when presenting magic for a TV audience. In no other field is it as easy to go wrong, or as easy to do right - if you're prepared with the proper information. Discover why these tricks are not good for television broadcasts: Twentieth Century Silks, Sucker Sliding Die Box, Zombie, Sympathetic Silks, Gloves to Dove, Cigarette Manipulations. Do you know the answers to why the above - and scores more like them - are so often performed poorly on TV? If not, you need this ebook, which gives you all the answers.
Written by a former television artist, Tricks for Television...
Here's a terrific book containing ten tricks, using cards, a magic wand, rope, and other items associated with the magic arts. Most of the effects require no special apparatus. What little is needed can easily be constructed. We think modern performers will really enjoy the card rise, where the action takes place with a borrowed deck! Also of interest will be "Through the Five-Spot," which is an impossible solid-through-solid effect where a five of spades visibly melts through the center of the magician's wand.
We've especially had fun performing the ball bearing mental test, which is a great...
57 tricks and teasers guaranteed to add magic to your presentations! Many require no props, or use commonly found objects. Others can be easily made. Your training applications are as unlimited as your imagination!
Do you find it difficult to get and hold participants' attention in your training sessions? Do you get bored presenting the same material? This ebook is full of proven "magic" tricks that make you look great as a trainer. Many of these tricks are immediately useable with little practice and no props.
There are five major sections to the ebook:
Do you find it difficult to get and hold participants' attention in your training sessions? Do you get bored presenting the same material? This second volume in the Tricks for Trainers Series is full of even more "proven" magic tricks that make you look great as a trainer. Many of these tricks are immediately useable with little practice and no props.
There are six major sections to the ebook: