Reviews of products by Dr. Kurt Volkmann

The Oldest Deception: Cups and Balls in the Art of the 15th and 16th Centuries

reviewed by Bill Palmer
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 08 August, 2010)

I've used this book for many years as a source for historical information on the cups and balls. Its value regarding this would be difficult to overestimate. However, the original edition was limited to fewer than 1000 copies, and it is now very difficult to find.

Chris has done magicians a real service by putting this version of Kurt Volkman's book on the market.

It covers graphical depictions of the cups and balls from the 15th and 16th century. When Volkmann wrote the original book, there was very, very little that predated these illustrations. In fact, it has only been in very recent years, through the efforts of Bob Read and Volker Huber that any earlier ones have been unearthed.

If you are a cups and balls aficionado and you want to know more about the history of this ancient piece of magic, you really should treat yourself to this book.