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From the introduction:

Robert Nelson and his brother Larry ("Alla Rageh") started the Nelson Enterprises in 1921. This Master Index cross-references by title, catalog issue and page number every effect, book and manuscript issued by Nelson from 1927 through the last catalog in 1972. This Master Index represents a summary of:

• 45 years of Nelson Enterprises catalog offerings.
• 21 Nelson catalogs.
• 5846 total items appearing in those catalogs.
• 2476 total pages are summarized in this Master Index.
• 1276 separate effects, books, appear in this Master Index.
• 125 pages are in this Master Index.
• 36 months in preparation. ...

August Roterberg was a very successfull magic dealer working from Chicago in the 19th century. His catalogs and books are collector items. One of his catalogs, number 15, is reproduced in this ebook. Catalogs help collectors identify and date pieces in their collection. Reading through catalogs is for me an exercise in creativity. When I read an effect description I try to think of a method to achieve it, not knowing the secret behind the trick sold. I am sure you will enjoy browsing through this beautiful catalog with lots of illustrations.

1st edition 1913, 216 pages.

Robert Nelson and his brother Larry ("Alla Rageh") started the Nelson Enterprises in 1921. Their first "catalogs" were printed on thin, onion-skin paper. By 1931, their catalogs were books in their own right, this one boasting 236 different effects, books, and services catering almost exclusively to the mental, mediumistic and gambling fraternities.

Originals of this catalog are virtually impossible to find, as they jealously hoarded by mentalists, magicians and occult collectors. Now reprinted in convenient PDF ebook format, the Nelson Enterprises Catalogue 12 is once again available to...

The "Magic Ink" line of book catalogs.

This catalog has the same title, Book Catalog No. 2, the "magic ink" line of book catalogs, as this one but was issued likely a few years earlier around 1984.

1st edition 1984; PDF 287 pages.

Robert Nelson and his brother Larry ("Alla Rageh") started the Nelson Enterprises in 1921. Their first "catalogs" were printed on thin, onion-skin paper. By 1927, their catalog boasted over a hundred effects and books, catering almost exclusively to the mental fraternity.

This catalog is nearly impossible to find, being jealously hoarded by mentalists and collectors. Now reprinted in convenient eBook format, the Nelson Enterprises Catalogue Number Six is once again available to expand the mind of performers of every ilk.

Because catalog printing techniques of the 1920s were not meant to...

Beautifully illustrated catalog (prior catalogs had no illustrations) with a one page list of books at the back.

1st edition 1904 (date stamped on front 18th March 1904), 45 pages.

This catalog #14 is for whatever reason less common than the other Abbott catalogs. It included a tipped in sheet advertising six Robert Orben books.

86 pages.

The "Magic Ink" line of book catalogs.

Excerpt from the introduction:

If you have never looked through one of these big magic catalogs this one is a good example. Even though WWII had already started Abbott's was offering almost 2000 magic items for sale. They had pretty much everything one can think of.

1st edition 1940, 544 pages.

Partial catalog of Electro Fun, Calcutta, India.

This is not a catalog of our entire range of products, but a pictorial representation of our wide variety and range. It is the next best thing I can offer you to a personal visit to our showroom.

We have been creating and making props for magicians around the world for over 25 years. Our products are available through hundreds of magic shops all over the globe. This "Catalog" will enable magicians to get a better idea of the products than a mere name in a price list.

Most of the props we supply are accompanied by detailed instructions...

The catalog gives a date of 1976, but that is the same date as #21, which means they probably forgot to change it. Most likely this catalog was published in the early 1980s. The latest date mentioned anywhere in the catalog is 1981. My best guess therefore is that this catalog was released in 1981 or 1982.

1st edition 198?, 448 pages.

Arthur P. Felsman took over August Roterberg's business. His catalog looks very similar to the Roterberg catalog with beautiful illustrations and detailed product descriptions. Compare for example with Roterberg Catalog No. 15.

1st edition 1919, 189 pages.

Max and Tess Holden established their magic mail-order business in 1929. Through the years, the business grew to three locations (Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City). The Max Holden catalog grew to hundreds of pages, offering merchandise from their own line of magic and books, as well as those of prominent manufacturers such as Petrie-Lewis, Thayer, and many others.

Arranged by subject, the effects include spirit effects, close-up magic, mentalism, livestock effects, books, blueprints, tricks with cards, money, cigarettes, liquids, candles, silks, slates, thimbles, and many others. ...

After the index in the back is a section of 14 pages with additional products. This means it is likely that Abbott catalog #18 is pretty much identical to Abbott catalog #17 except for this final section of products.

Magic products are being offered in the following categories:

• Accessories
• Advertising
• Ball Section
• Bird Cages
• Block Tricks
• Books
• Bottle Tricks
• Candle Tricks
• Cane Tricks
• Card Magic
• Change Bags
• Cigarette Tricks
• Close-Up, Pocket and Intimate Magic
• Coin and Money Magic
• Comedy Effects
• Cups and Balls
• Dice Magic
• Egg Tricks
• Escapes
• Flower Magic
• Glasses
• Illusions
• Kid-Show Magic ...

It advertises with: The largest Mail-Order House in the World for Jokes, Magic and Novelties.

1st edition 1953, 39 pages.

I believe this is the largest magic catalog ever published. It clocks in at more than 620 pages and is bursting full with products. A unique lovely feature of this catalog is that each section is introduced by a famous magician: Mentalism by David Berglas, Ropes by Pavel, Comedy by Karrel Fox etc.

• Introduction (Paul Daniels)
• Accessories (Keith Churcher)
• Balloon Modeling (Bob Wooding)
• Books and Publications (Edwin A. Dawes)
• Canes and Candles (Jeff Atkins)
• Cards (Francis Haxton)
• Changing Bags and Egg Bags (Mark Raffles)
• Children's Magic (Terry Herbert)
• Close-Up Magic (Bobby Bernard)
• Comedy Magic (Karrell Fox)
• Escapology (David De-Val) ...

This is a beautiful catalog with an introduction that includes photos of Thayer's residence. This catalog was published in 1936 and as the title page correctly states: "The Finest, Largest, And Most Comprehensive Compilation of Magical Goods Ever Published."

1st edition 1936; 311 pages.

This is the first catalog Roterberg issued, titled: "Descriptive Catalogue of the Latest European Novelties in Magic, Second Sight, Anti-Spiritualism".

Noteworthy here is that Roterberg states that he corresponds not only in English but also German, French and Volapük - a universal language created by the German catholic priest Johann Martin Schleyer in 1880.

1st edition ca. 1894, 20 pages.

A huge jump in size from catalog 7 to this catalog 8. Includes a separate section on books where he writes about Expert at the Card Table:

The last section is for: Practical Jokes, Puzzles and Novelties.

1st edition 1904 (date stamped on front 15th July 1904), 170...

This #5 catalog was a supplementary catalog to #4. It only listed the new effects Abbott could supply.

1st edition ?, 94 pages.

This is the first catalog Martin Breese issued most likely in 1975. He had not yet begun to create and publish his own products. We therefore find in this catalog only products from other manufacturers, such as Ken Brooke, Johnson Products, Sterling Magic Creations, and others.

1st edition 1975, PDF 57 pages.

This catalog includes some error corrections for the prior catalog, advertises Holmes' Conjuring Serial No. 4 A Mind Reading Act, and then it describes items No. 400 to No. 481.

1st edition 1916, 36 pages.