From the preface:
The title of this little brochure indicates its contents. Simple Tricks and simple tricks only. No apparatus is required and but little sleight-of-hand is needed in the performance of any of them. They consist of a series of tricks and problems, easily acquired, suitable for gatherings round the table on winter evenings. Some of them are new and many are old; but even the oldest are new to the rising generation. For six of the latest tricks, - "A Hindu Swindle," "The Elusive Match," "A Subtle Impromptu Effect with a Coin," "A Novel Card Effect," "An Artful Card Force," and...
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.
From the preface:
Although only three years have elapsed since Latest Sleights was published, Magic has made such rapid strides in that short time, and so many new tricks have come into existence, that I cannot allow another edition to go to press without thoroughly revising this book and making many most important additions.
Continuing with even more pro-quality close-up and platform effects, here's a worthy second volume of Berland's exclusive magic. Long out of print, this collection includes several miracles that Berland sold separately through magic dealers the world over.
Partial contents:
This is not a lecture - it is a clinic.
This is one of the first magic videos Martin Breese released. It was produced by Duncan Trillo and features Bobby Bernard teaching a number of great close-up moves and effects. Compared to today's slick videos this is a minimalistic low budget production. Occasionally you can even hear cars and traffic noises in the background. But what it lacks in slickness it has in spades in terms of teaching value for the magician. Bobby Bernard was a legendary magician and as this video demonstrates also a great teacher. I could watch him all day.
A practical guide to the invention of tricks plus newly created tricks.
"I must say that I was prepared to dislike this book ... Wilker's discussion, however, is so pleasant and unassuming that one can hardly disagree with him. In part, this is because Wilker seems to recognize the inherent problems in stating hard and fast rules about creativity and so limits his conclusions accordingly." - Stephen Hobbs
From the Preface:
This book reflects my own knowledge and thoughts on the subject of inventing tricks. Part 1 is devoted to this process and by reading its introduction you will, dear reader,...
As previously recounted, I've been making notes and sticking Post-its in all my books for decades, so I still have hundreds of great tricks book-marked, annotated, and logged. The first two Hidden Gems ebooks proved far more popular than I could have reasonably expected, so here we are with Volume 3 and another 100 great tricks that most of us have sadly forgotten about.
These are tricks that define the very concept of 'hidden in print'. In each entry, I list the trick, where you can find it, why I love it and why you should look it up. I always describe the effect, occasionally the presentation,...
More excerpts from my notebooks, listing fantastic tricks that have caught my eye over the years. The first three Hidden Gems ebooks have been very, very popular so here we are with Volume 4.
These are tricks that define the very concept of 'hidden in print'. In each entry, I list the trick, where you can find it, why I love it and why you should look it up. I always describe the effect, occasionally the presentation, but never the method. Most are in books that you already own (or should!), some are in magazines that you can easily get access to and the odd one or two entries will send...
More excerpts from my notebooks, listing fabulous tricks that have caught my eye over the years. The first four Hidden Gems ebooks have been incredibly popular so here we are with Volume 5.
These are tricks that define the very concept of 'hidden in print'. In each entry, I list the trick, where you can find it, why I love it and why you should look it up. I always describe the effect, occasionally the presentation, but never the method. Most are in books that you already own (or should!), some are in magazines that you can easily get access to and the odd one or two entries will send you...
From the introduction:
Every item has been presented by the author, not only before the general public, who may generally be relied on to give audible expressions of their likes and dislikes, but also before meetings of conjurers, where candid criticism has resulted in filling up several possible pitfalls and leaving everything fairly even and workable.
Most of my previous works on conjuring have dealt with specific subjects, such as paper, match-sticks, handkerchiefs, coins, etc. The present volume, however, contains a variety of useful effects which, if presented with due regard to the...
This rare booklet contains some real gems. The routines are described concisely and with lots of clear photos.
Under the title Presto Magic & Mystery, Heritage Films released a series of fifteen 8mm films (these are silent films) with magic performances during the 1950s/60s. This compilation includes eight of the fifteen films. They are:
This is volume 2 of the 8-volume Collected Magic Series.
Sixteen beautiful routines, moves, and effects that, like the title says, will earn you plenty of audience applause. Most of the audience-pleasing routines use props that you likely already own, such as a Vanishing Cane, Comedy Funnel, Liquid Appear, silks, rope, magic wand, and other standard items.
Plus, Mardo tips a trio of coin effects that use standard coins and a modicum of sleights to accomplish the magic. And a swell card flourish that was later featured in the movie "The Sting," starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford.
Paul Fleming wrote:
This little book is a sequel to Routined Magic, by...
From the introduction:
In English-speaking countries very little is known about magic in Germany, let alone in other countries like Poland, Switzerland or Spain. Unless a magician from one of these countries attends conventions in Britain or America regularly, and unless he speaks English, he will rarely be known. The two German magicians I want to talk about in these Lecture Notes - one from each side of the former Berlin wall - are perhaps the two best known in Germany today. Their names are Joro and Jochen Zmeck - how many of my readers, however, have ever heard of them?
Joro's real name is Bruno...
Here's an expanded and updated edition of a Paul Curry manuscript that contains not one, but two powerful effects that will give you a reputation as an outstanding magician and psychic entertainer.
Probability Zero
A batch of business cards are numbered and mixed, with their number sides down. A truly sensational climax is reached when a spectator, although he selects the cards at random and doesn't know the numbers on the cards, succeeds in arranging them in numerical order. Is it just chance? Not likely - the odds are over 300,000 to 1 against it.
The Color-Changing Deck
A new...
Here's an expanded and updated edition of the second and final Paul Curry manuscript in the series with a pair of powerful effects that'll give you a reputation as an outstanding magician and psychic entertainer. Both of these card miracles exhibit the brilliant methodology that you've come to expect from Paul Curry.
Think Of A Card
A spectator merely thinks of a card. The performer jots down the name of a card. The spectator names his card and the performer shows what he wrote - it's the name of the thought-of card. A clean-cut, logical effect.
Follow-up
This is a variation of the...
From the preface:
Each of the six chapters of these Lecture Notes contains one routine; but there is no connection between them except that they are all "European". European? Isn't magic international? Of course, there is no specific European or American or Japanese branch of our art. What I mean by European is on a more personal level. I am a Swiss living in England, to be precise in Cornwall, with many friends in my home as well as my adopted country, but also in Germany. Over the years we constantly exchanged ideas on particular tricks and on magic in general. In all my books I used many...
This work builds on Wilker's The Creation of Magic. It is helpful to have read it, but it is not required.
There is a definite mathematical theme running through this ebook. Not that there is any heavy math involved, just that the routines have an underlying mathematical basis. Wilker has a variety of interesting presentations and throw-offs that disguise the mathematics during the performance.
"Methods for Minor Miracles is an enjoyable and worthwhile read." - Stephen Hobbs
From the introduction:
There is no more fascinating study, when once an interest in the subject has been aroused, than conjuring - or, as it is popularly called, "Magic." One of the most delightful of all pastimes is the inventing and performing of new tricks, and watching their effect upon the audience - who do not know the secrets of the various "sleights" performed. We all know how fascinating the professional conjuror's entertainment is, - and how mystifying! So I propose to take my readers, - in the present book, - into the very heart of the mystery - to explain exactly how the important...