Books

By Val Andrews. Hard back, 187 pages. This is the most detailed story, wondrously written, about the tragic illusionist Chung Ling Soo - The Marvellous Chinese Conjurer - who of course was an American! The value of this work lies in the quite stunning full colour plate reproductions of the many posters of the great man which are now collectors items of the highest value. The individual prints of the plates shown are now being sold at prices close to the value of this superb work! This book will not be re-printed and once the present stocks have been sold it will undoubtedly soar in value. Hard back, 187 pages, lavishly illustrated in both full colour and monochrome, with colour dust cover.

This is one of magic's most sought after books. Cellini is a true legend in the performance of magic. This 188 page hardbound book covers the work of this famous magician. His tips on Street Performing are priceless and the effects are the epitome of "pure magic." Contents include Where to Work the streets, Street Performer's Workshop and Tools (including the famous Cellini Topit), How to actually perform on the street, Law of the Street, Bibliography of Card Books, a collection of great black & white photos AND the effects and routines. Just read this list of effects:
Vanishing Silk, Birth of a Rose, Thumb Tip Tips, Thumb Tip Drop Steal, Sugar Bag, Vanishing Cigarette, Wand of Merlin Flip Stick Routine, The Wand Spin, Infinity Cups (Water appearance in bowls), Bill in Lemon, Bill to Wallet, Cups & Balls Routine One, Cups & Balls Routine Two, Paper Bag Routine, Here's Mickey (mouse production), Fire Eating, An Escape Act, Vanishing Glass, Grapefruit Production, Cellini Sponge Ball Routine, Indestructible Handkerchief, Cigarette Routine, T-Bar Glass Vanish, Three Ring Switch, Lord of the Rings Linking Ring Routine, Six Ring Routine, Cut & Restored Rope, Card Manipulations, Jumbo Coin & Handkerchief Routine, Color Changing Coin, Copper Silver Routine, Coin Juggling, Cascade of Coins from Cards, Coins in Glass, Billiard Ball Work, and The Miser's Dream.

Whether you're performing on stage or on the street, there's a method here for you! Along with new presentations for three classic effects, Andrew presents three all-new levitations. Contains:



BroomFlight - Be a real-life Harry Potter and float on a borrowed broom
Airborne - Have a seat 6 feet up in the air
Floating on the Edge - An impromptu levitation that can be performed virtually anywhere
Mid-Air - A levitation suitable for stage that will leave your audience amazed and costs you less than $20 and 10 minutes of time to make
Suspension of Disbelief - Hypnotize your assistant and make them float five feet in the air
The Street Levitation - A simple, easy to understand explanation of the levitation seen by millions of people on television (the one everyone asks if you can do).
Staplebound, 18 pages.

Try the Impossible by Simon Aronson In Simon Aronson`s latest book, he invites you to Try The Impossible.A spectator freely names any card. A second spectator freely touches any card - and it matches the named card! The performer never even looks through the deck! Control two freely selected and replaced cards to virtually any two positions you desire - without any sleight-of-hand!Imagine dealing five strong poker hands, each better than the previous one, with the dealer receiving a Royal Flush in spades - and being able to instantly repeat it again and again with no resetting!Two freely selected cards magically appear at two freely named numbers!The deck itself correctly reads a spectator`s mind, four times, to reveal her selected card - and discovers the matching four-of-a-kind as well!One spectator freely chooses and pockets two cards, whose identities remain unknown. From a second, shuffled deck another spectator freely touches two cards - and both cards match the first chosen pair!Aces assemble one-at-a-time, and then all appear under the spectator`s hand-with no extra cards and no palming!Predict the exact location of two freely cut and replaced cards! Try The Impossible also contains an all-new, in-depth look at the Aronson Stack, with over 25 new effects that don`t require memorization of the stack and leave the entire deck intact!And there`s so much more..mind-boggling locations, spelling effects, a gambling scam, the Head Over Heels move, the UnDo Influence control and even a rap Ace production! Extensive comments offer variations, theories, presentations, lead-in and follow-up routines and in-depth insights that will keep you thinking. Try The Impossible presents a wealth of new, baffling and entertaining card magic that doesn`t depend on difficult sleight-of-hand. Hardbound, Over 275 Large (8 1/2" x 11") Pages and Beautifully Illustrated With Over 120 Photos

This Manuscript is a collection of some of Larry Jenning's best effects.

Contents Include:

Up In Smoke
Any four-of-a kind is removed from the deck. The magician blows a puff of smoke toward the cards, causing them to instantly vanish. The missing cards are then immediately produced from four different pockets.

A Handy Transformation
A card is selected and returned to the deck. Four cards are shown and this packet is placed between the spectator’s hands as the magician explains that he will cause the selected card to appear between the cards he is holding. However, when the spectator separates his hands he is surprised to find not five cards, but only one—the selection.

Estimated Toss
Offering to give a demonstration of estimation a card is selected and returned to the deck. The top card of the deck is removed and, using estimation, the magician attempts to toss it into the deck next to the selection. However, when the card adjacent to the tossed-in card is displayed, it is not the selection. Snatching victory from defeat, the tossed-in card is turned over to reveal that it has magically changed into the selection.

Oil And Water
The classic plot of red and black cards magically separating, culminating with a surprise finish.

K.J.V. Oil And Water
Larry’s favorite oil and routine combining the ideas of Ray Kosby, Dai Vernon, and himself.

Flawed Transposition
The magician offers to demonstrate a new trick, but mentions that it does have a flaw. The four kings are placed on the table while the magician holds onto the four aces. One at a time, the kings change places with the aces until the magician is holding the four kings. Reminding the audience about the flaw in the trick, the tabled packet is shown to also consist of four kings as the magician announces the trick’s weakness—“It takes eight kings to do the trick.”

New Outstanding Triumph
Larry’s stand-up version of the classic Dai Vernon effect employing his clever riffle display.

Tahoe Triumph
Larry’s approach to Bill Simon’s Four Packet Shuffle.

Hip Pocket Prediction
A spectator freely selects any card to act as a prediction. Another card is now selected, noted, and replaced while the deck is out of the magician’s sight. The prediction card is now revealed and its value accurately locates the selection.

A revered classic, widely considered to be one of the most influential magic books ever written, and never has it looked better than this. With this edition, The Dai Vernon Book of Magic has been completely re-typeset and every photograph re-screened for greater clarity.

Among the Vernon classics you'll find inside are Penetration of Thought, Three Ball Transposition, Expansion of Texture, Free and Unlimited Coinage of Silver, The Vernon Poker Demonstration, plus Vernon's famous Cups and Balls and Linking Rings routines. All in all, 24 chapters of pure Vernon gold.

239 pages, hardbound with dustjacket.

Dai Vernon's Ultimate Secrets of Card Magic includes three treatises put together by Dai himself, Vernon on the Pass, Vernon On Table Passes, and After Peeking. Other Vernon highlights are his incredible Slow Motion Card Vanish, the much imitated Matched Spellout, Running the Scale, Pre Mathematics, Small Packet Glide, Cold Deck and The Bottom Deal.

Also includes effects specially chosen from Vernon's good friends Bruce Cervon, Charlie Miller, Fred Kaps, Francis Carlyle, Jay Ose, Eddie Taytelbaum, Persi Diaconis, Gerald Kosky, Ross Bertram, Roger Klause, Larry Jennings, Faucett Ross, Alex Elmsley, Jack Avis, Francis Haxton, Fred Lowe, Peter Warlock and Roy Walton.

Finally back in print with re-screened photos and a completely revised text which has been newly typeset, this Dai Vernon classic is now in its finest form.

186 pages, hardbound with dustjacket

The book of visual comedy is an invaluable resource for entertainers of every description: Comedians, magicians, clowns, speakers, variety entertainers, M.C.s; performers of all kinds will find fantastic, time-tested material between these covers.

Not only does the book provide a wealth of laugh-making material, it details the essential reasons as to why and how expressive gags are funny and play so well.

You'll learn dozens of funny situations, stunts, and expressions that will have them rolling in the aisles. No special props or devices are required. For the most part, these gut-busters can be performed at the drop of a hat, on a moment's notice.

Patrick Page is an entertainer with over 50 years of experience, having worked as a magician, comedian, writer, and producer. Over the course of his career, Page has created and collected material of every description for countless performances, on television, for private performances and stages the world over.

Even if you're an aspiring entertainer, or just want to have fun at an after-dinner or social event, the Book of Visual Comedy was written for you. The material inside is of a professional caliber, yet suitable for anyone. And best of all, it's easy to learn. Dozens of charming illustrations by Max Morpurgo make every nuance easy to understand.

This book can serve as a source of inspiration for developing your own hilarious act, or as a jumping-off point for creating an amusing, thrilling moment or two of light-hearted fun

Would you like to confound your friends, amaze your acquaintances, amuse and dazzle crowds at parties and gatherings? Mastering a few card tricks will allow you to do all that and more. With the help of this book, anyone can develop a versatile repertoire of first-rate card tricks.

In fact, mastery of just the first chapter will enable you to perform a half-dozen astounding and entertaining sleights of hand.

The authors, both noted authorities on magic, present complete, easy-to-understand explanations of shuffles, flourishes, the glide, the glimpse, false shuffles and cuts, the pass, the classic force and many other techniques. These will enable card handlers to perform over 100 mind-boggling feats of card magic, including Thought Stealer, Gray's Spelling Trick, Do As I Do, Now You See It, Obliging Aces, Rapid Transit, Kangaroo Card, A Tipsy Trick and dozens of others. Illustrated with more than 120 clear line drawings that make the explanations easy to follow, this exciting introduction to card conjuring will enable even beginners to develop professional-level skill and the ability to perform tricks guaranteed to astound family and friends.

Paperbound, 310 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 121 illustrations.

Sixty Years of Magic from the Private Notebooks of Jack Avis!

After Jack's death in 2004, 28 notebooks were discovered among his vast collection of manuscripts, books and other publications that contained his collected thoughts over the past half century. Some original, some of his own handlings of effects of his friends, some sleights, some tips and ideas but all bearing the stamp that earned him a world reputation for simple, baffling, natural magic. This new, important volume contains much of Jack's original thinking and ideas as well as rare photographs and notes from throughout his sixty years in magic. If you are a serious card person, close–up worker, historian or a magic enthusiast you will want to own this valuable record of the work of a man who devoted every moment of his spare time to the pursuit of magic at its highest level and is honored wherever a deck of cards is shuffled.

Pages 220 - Hardbound

By Pete Mc Cabe on the magical phenomenon known as the Reality Twister. This book exploits the full potential of the Lubor Lens incorporated in the trick known as Reality Twister. For example it describes how to perform The Visible Linking Ring as a slow motion penetration. String Theory, where two pieces of string on a spectator's open hands, slowly and visibly fuse together. Twisted Topology, where a common rubber band incredibly ties itself into a permanently impossible knot. The Mighty Fine Rotation Penetration, where your ring slowly and visibly penetrates onto the spectator's finger. The Meat Stick Of Plenty, where for the first time in the history of magic, the Meat Stick Of Plenty can be presented close up with almost any brand of meat stick. Plus dozens more ingenious new effects and professional tips from Paul Harris, Pete McCabe, Ben Harris, R. Paul Wilson, David Regal, Michael Webber, Kenton Knepper, Brad Burt, Joel Givens and Tom Cutts. Soft back art cover, 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches, 99 pages, fully illustrated.

Now with 36% More Magic!

The complete restoration of a signed, torn playing card, one piece at a time.

Who could have known five years ago when John Lovick first released his version of the classic Torn and Restored card, that magicians today would still be just as fascinated with the topic? John's new revised handling offers several advantages over the original, including:

the card is now signed on both ends
at the point in the routine when you display "four pieces" you really have four pieces
no longer is the restoration of the third piece a "bluff"
restoring the final piece (previously the most problematic point in the routine for many) is now much easier
16-pages, fully-illustrated, staplebound.

The authorized book of Rovi's life, philosophy and magic.

A fascinating story with over 50 tricks including the much-requested "Cowboy Trick." Wonderful effects for a variety of skills. Many sleights are thoroughly explained and discussed, including Rovi's fabulous forces, pass, side slip, peek and top change. Many of these ideas are appearing in print for the first time.

Sam Schwartz has been publishing his routines, ideas and techniques in various magazine publications for more than 50 years. He has also released a number of marketed effects through Louis Tannen, Inc. and has contributed to dozens of Karl Fulves publications. This book is a compilation of many of his best routines. Most of the magic is easy to learn and often fools magicians and non-magicians alike. You will find close-up routines with cards, ropes, coins, rings, and many mentalism based effects. You will enjoy working through the clever methods as well as performing the routines for your friends, family and even professionally.

Hardcover with dust jacket, written by Allen Zingg, 246 pages, more than 200 illustrations by Tony Dunn, Foreword by Stephen Minch, published by Magico Magazine.

Secrets Of An Escamoteur
by Harry Riser

Harry Riser's reputation as a magician's magician, a man who can astound both the public and his peers, has been established for many decades. His ability to hone the "cutting edge" has kept him firmly among the avant-garde to the present day. If the Riser name is new to you, here is a short sampling of opinions by others:

"Harry Riser has been my very close friend, confidant, and mentor for over 33 years."
- JOHN THOMPSON

"Harry knows how spectators think. He knows what throws the observer's brain into overload..."
- TELLER

"It wasn't just that I couldn't figure out how Harry was doing the tricks he performed. I couldn't figure out how any method was possible."
- MICHAEL CLOSE

"His magic sneaks up on you...then all of a sudden explodes!"
- JON RACHERBAUMER

"Harry...made several suggestions for the Malini egg bag which I immediately included in my routine."
- CHARLIE MILLER
Get the idea.

Almost ten years ago Ed Brown wrote The Feints and Temps of Harry Riser, a large selection of Riser magic. It was immediately acclaimed by the cognoscenti. A sequel was always planned, but various factors delayed its completion. Hermetic Press is proud to announce that that book, written this time by Mr. Riser himself, is now completed. Secrets of an Escamoteur offers Riser material that the professionals have long been waiting for. In its 247 pages, full details are given on- THE MALINI EGG BAG: its construction and the extraordinarily cunning Riser routine. CHARLIE MILLER'S methods for breaks, double turnover, spread force and second deal. BAFFLING CARD MAGIC: 45 Riser sleights, tricks and routines structured to fool everyone-yes, everyone. THE RISER RINGS: the legendary linking-rings routine with three rings that defies the experts and astounds the public, on stage or up close. Secrets of an Escamoteur is a top-quality hardcover in large format, offering clear and detailed text, painstakingly and copiously illustrated by Earle Oakes.

Pages 247

From the Introduction:

"John Hamman's effects, sleights, and handling of a pack of cards are used by magicians all over the world. He has no use for time-worn sleights — he creates new ones to fit the effects he dreams up. He is truly a titan with a pack of cards.

In this book he shares his precious secrets. You may be able to learn them, add them to your repertoire, but there is no way for you to imitate his gentle, quiet, and lovable manner. After all, he is Brother John Hamman."
- Gene DeVoe

From the Foreword:

"I have collected here those tricks and notions that I like, and audiences too. Some of my past material is included here, and some not, because I fell it is now dated or less effective. But what is here comprises a sweep of effects, magical, visual, and entertaining that should give you value for your efforts. Learn them in such a way that you understand them, why the effect is accomplished, not just how. Magic is in the mind of the spectator — mon in your fingers. If you understand what the flimflam is doing to the spectator's imagination, you will magically entertain him. Sleights will not — it's the plot, the visual sting, and the performer. So study the scams that fit your personality, don't just memorize them. They work for me because they are me. Have fun."
- Brother John Hamman, S.M.

Hardbound and Fully Illustrated

Pages 252

World-famous illusionist, master deluder, showman; Harry Houdini (alias of Ehrich Weiss) is one of the most legendary figures of the modern stage, and probably the most controversial and misunderstood magician of all times. So fantastic were his tricks that many thought him to be supernatural, a mystic and an amazing spiritualist.

Exposing his closely kept professional secrets, and revealing in general terms the whole art of stage magic, this book is now considered a classic study of Houdini's strange deceptions.

J.C. Cannell, professional magician, friend and colleague of Houdini in The Magician's Club, was the first to explain rationally how Houdini achieved his tricks. These include the famous challenges to death, escapes from bank vaults and from a Russian prison vanlined with zinc, walking through brick walls, escapes from crates under waters, disappearing ladies, women floating in mid-air, vanishing elephants, ghostly manifestations, seances, card tricks, rope tricks, mind reading, spirit messages and miracles. All of these and much more discussed in clear, simple language and for better understanding, the author has included numerous line drawing of Houdini's ingenious escape devices, with diagrams of the more complicated tricks. Twenty-four new photographs have been added to the twenty-three in the original edition, illustrating scenes from the magician's life as well as his performances.

When this book was originally published shortly after Houdini's death in 1926, it caused such a controversy that many people simply refused to believe the author. Yet, if you are interested in magic, the stage or the fabulous life of Harry Houdini, you are certain to find this book a fascinating experience. Perhaps the only way to really understand Houdin is is to tread this book and judge for yourself. Don't be surprised if the author keeps you glued to each page as you follow step-by-step some of the most incredible stunts of the century!

Paperbound, 279 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 51 line drawings.

72 Foolproof Card Miracles for the Amateur Magician

What is a self-working card trick? A trick that does not depend upon legerdermain or special abilities on the part of the magician, but a trick that works automatically because of the mathematics inherent in the card deck itself.

Long practice and supernormal dexterity are not needed to perform these tricks, yet they are often among the most entertaining and most spectacular of all card tricks.

The present volume was the first commercially available collection of these sure-fire tricks, prepared by one of the best-known modern writers and editors in the field of magic, Karl Fulves, editor of The Pallbearer periodical.

Some of these tricks are simple, a good place to begin. Others were specially adapted from professional routines and are here presented for the first time for amateurs. Almost all of these tricks can be worked informally, with a borrowed deck of cards.

Some also adapt to stage presentation.
Individual tricks contained here have sold for more than the price of the entire book. Amateurs can use them to get a start in magic and to feel, at once, the rewards of giving a professional performance. Advanced and professional magicians will find tricks to add to their acts or informal routines.

Paperbound, 113 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 42 illustrations.

56 Foolproof Tricks

"Close-up card magic is performed right under the noses of the spectators. It has an immediacy that cannot be duplicated by platform magic. Seasoned professionals agree there is no better way to learn how to handle an audience than when they are inches away." -Karl Fulves

Karl Fulves is one of the most popular and respected magic authorities writing today. In Self-Working Close-Up Card Magic he shows beginners how to perform 56 tried-and true, crowd-pleasing tricks for the kind of small, close-up audiences that gather at parties and family get-togethers. The tricks are simple to master. The performerer needs only a deck of cards and a few everyday objects like a coin or a rubber band. The kind of close-up performing these tricks require offers beginners the best possible way to learn how to engage and handle an audience.

Among the tricks are "openers" which quickly get an audience's attention and set the stage for the rest of the act; memory tricks that make it appear the performer has an uncanny ability to memorize cards; gambling tricks that seem to give the performer an expert ability to control the cards in games of chance; and "gimmicked" cards that create eye-popping visual magic. Simple step-by-step instructions, accompanied by clear, carefully drawn illustrations, make these applause-winning tricks absolutely foolproof, requiring no long practice of dexterity to perform.

Paperbound, 128 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 121 illustrations.

92 Foolproof Tricks

Money and magic! A combination that never fails to attract attention. With this helpful and revealing book, even novices can astound friends and relatives with mystifying magical feats requiring little more than common coins and paper currency.

Written by one of today's foremost authorities on self-working magic tricks (those that need no special dexterity or long hours of practice), this how-to book features an impressive array of 92 simple-to-do tricks sure to dazzle any audience.

Clearly worded instructions and 251 illustrations show beginning as well as veteran conjurers how to pluck a seemingly endless number of coins from the air, make a coin penetrate a tabletop and perform psychic tricks with coins and bills. "Quick Print" lets you apparently print a genuine $5 bill on blank paper, while "Bunco Bills" takes the audience behind the scenes to expose the methods of the shortchange artist. Other intriguing illusions include "Metal Bending," "Tower of Nickels," "Balancing Act," "Thru the Ring," "Immovable Object," "Sealed-Box Mystery," and dozens of other phenomenal tricks.

No previous experience is necessary to perform these tricks and apart from the required currency, most call for nothing more than a few easy-to-find items (tabletop, cup , handkerchief, playing cards, etc.). Almost all can be mastered in a short time.

Paperbound, 148 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 251 illustrations

61 Foolproof Tricks

For magicians wishing to start a magic act with a dramatic visual effect, there is no better choice than a handkerchief trick. In fact, such airy bits of baffling illusion are among the most graceful and sophisticated tricks in the magician's repertoire.

This book is a treasury of handkerchief tricks that are easy to perform. Karl Fulves, one of today's foremost authorities on "self-working" tricks (i.e., tricks that do not require special feats of dexterity or long hours of practice), has collected 61 of the finest self-working handkerchief tricks and presented them in this easy-to-follow, well-illustrated guidebook.

After a brief introductory chapter describing necessary materials and helpful hints on handling the "tools of the trade," the author proceeds to the tricks themselves. Over 500 clear illustrations and step-by-step directions show you exactly how to execute such "sleights of silk" as making handkerchiefs appear (and disappear), penetrating handkerchiefs with solid objects, cutting and restoring handkerchiefs, creating animated figures and performing a variety of combined card and handkerchief tricks.

Newcomers to this mystical art will quickly learn techniques for these astonishing illusions:

Threading the Needle
Houdini's Coat
Freefall
Paper Bag Vanish
Switch over
Decapitated Knot
He Found It!
Crazy Compass
Silk from Silk
Pop Up
The Mouse
Spooky Spoon
Produce a Wand
Zombie Card Rise
and 47 more!
No previous experience is necessary and most tricks require only a simple handkerchief. A few use uncomplicated apparatus constructed from cardboard or paper. Almost all can be mastered in a short time. With this book and a little praactice you'll soon be dazzling friends and relatives with an impressive array of handkerchief hocus-pocus.

Paperbound, 192 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 509 illustrations.

67 Foolproof Mind-Reading Tricks

Karl Fulves, one of the most renowned modern writers in the field of magic, presents here 67 new and foolproof tricks-spectacular mental feats that seem impossible, but are easy to perform.

None of the tricks require long practice, supernormal dexterity, or complicated apparatus. Mr. Fulves' precise, easy-to-follow instructions and many helpful diagrams lead to quick mastey and effective performance of each. Perform mystifying mental magic in such categories as:
Instant ESP
Mind Reading with Cards
Mind Over Matter
Book Tests
Psychic Secrets
Slate Sorcery
Miracles with Cards
Psychometry
Many of these tricks can be done with no prior preparation, and all involve easy-to-find materials: a deck of cards, coins, matches, dice, keys, chalk, etc. But while the materials used are ordinary, the effects achieved are truly extraordinary.

Magicians who wish to add mental acts to their routines, party entertainers or anyone wishing to give an amazing performance of mental magic will find this book perfect for their needs.

Paperbound, 121 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 73 illustrations.

101 Foolproof Tricks

Numbers pervade nearly every aspect of our daily lives: telephone numbers, zip codes, Social Security numbers, driver's license and credit card numbers. We are beleaguered by numbers. No wonder we're fascinated, intrigued, even a bit bewildered by them; no wonder tricks involving numbers are perennial favorites.

With Self-Working Number Magic, you can perform show-stopping tricks, stunts and routines that are sure to delight audiences because they capitalize on our natural fascination for numbers. Karl Fulves, well-known writer in the field of magic, presents 101 baffling tricks that are so easy-to-do, they practically work by themselves. While all the tricks involve basic mathematical principles, the mathematics is not discussed here; rather, emphasis is on performing and perfecting the tricks. They can be learned quickly and put into operation immediately, and best of all, they really dazzle an audience!

Among the seemingly impossible tricks and stunts in this book: guessing a spectator's age or how long a married couple have known each other; predicting the sum of a group of numbers and using your brain like a lightning calculator; and instantly memorizing long lists of numbers or objects. This selection also includes tricks involving cards, calendars, magic squares and betting games. The author even suggests stage patter to use while performing.

With this book and a modicum of practice, anyone can perform an assortment of number tricks that will astound and delight an audience. Whatever your age or math skills, you'll soon be baffling friends and relatives with over 100 fascinating foolproof number tricks.

Paperbound, 145 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 98 illustrations.

81 Foolproof Tricks

Put a little magic into your life! Karl Fulves, one of the best-known writers in the field, shares tricks of the trade in this marvelous book-over 80 foolproof, easy-to-perform paper miracles that anyone can master.

You'll need nothing up your sleeve, no previous experience, no special dexterity to execute these seemingly impossible feats. Fulves' clear step-by--step directions and 367 instructive illustrations enable even beginning magicians to work wonders with paper. Now produce a mind-reading effect with file cards, make a piece of newspaper disappear, perform a routine in which paper rings link "magically." You'll find that a puzzling routine such as the "Magic Mailbox" works best as a close-up trick, while the "Japanese Checkers" illusion can be done as a showy stage effect.

In tricks ranging from "telepathy to teleportation," learn how to reveal serial number on spectator's bills, solve a murder as the "Psychometric Detective" transport a cup of soda from inside a paper bag to a borrowed hat, pass a pencil through a jacket, cause a star to materialize and a hole punched in piece of paper to migrate to another piece of paper.

With this helpful handbook at your fingertips, create paper animals that seem to come to life and perform magic tricks. Animated paper folds such as a charming rabbit that flaps its ears are a perennial source of fascination-and can be made in seconds.

That materials needed for these fascinating tricks range from single sheets of paper to bags, cups and paperback books. Lightweight, inexpensive and portable, they pack flat, take up little space and get big results!

Delight and astonish your family and friends with the easily mastered 81 foolproof tricks in Self-Working Paper Magic.

Paperbound, 160 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 367 illustrations.

70 Foolproof Tricks

For centuries, rope tricks have been staples of the magician's repertoire. Surprisingly, many of the best ones are "self-working," meaning they do not require unusual dexterity or long hours of practice.

This excellent guidebook, written by one of today's foremost authorities on magic, presents 70 of the best, most amazing self-working rope tricks ever devised-tricks that amateur magicians can master in a very short time.

After a brief introduction and a section devoted to acquiring and preparing the proper ropes, Karl Fulves begins the book by introducing rope tricks based on simple overhand knots, slip knots and square knots. These are followed by such tricks as "The Vishnu Rope Mystery" and the "Hindu Turban Mystery" in the chapter entitled "Cut-and-Restored Rope." In "Ropes That Think" he demonstrates such fascinating maneuvers as "Liars' Ropes" and "Seance." You'll also learn how to do a one-hand figure eight, perform a "Double-Ring Ceremony" and make an endless chain.

Novice magicians as well as veterans can learn these foolproof tricks quickly and eaily with Karl Fulves' clearly worded instructions and over 400 step-by-step illustrations. Along with the specifics of how to perform each trick, Mr. Fulves provides helpful phrases and bits of patter to help readers present each routine with a professional flourish.

Paperbound, 160 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 423 illustrations.

97 Foolproof Tricks with Everyday Objects

The quickest, most certain path toward achieving a reputation as a magician is to be able to perform at a moment's notice with borrowed objects. If you are handed a coin, handkerchief, pencil or rubber band, you should be able to do at least one amazing trick with that object.

This book deals exclusively with just such tricks. It is a collection of some of the best tricks with ordinary objects. The approach throughout the book is simple. No unusual dexterity, gimmicks or special sleights are required. The only props needed are simple, everyday objects-eggs, cards, dice, rubber bands, balloons, apples, etc. Nor are long hours of practice necessary. Step-by-step instructions and over 180 helpful illustrations insure quick and effective mastery of each trick. Self-Working Table Magic contains nearly 100 tricks in the following categories:

Money Magic
Magic Show in a Matchbox
Dice Dexterity
Conjuror's Collection
Psychic Tricks
Elastic Illusions
Hanky Panky
Close-Up Illusions
The Linking Pins
Pen-Ultimate Magic
Some chapters have been designed to provide the reader with a complete act of close-up magic. For example, the chapter entitled "Magic Show in a Matchbox," gives you about 15 minutes of excellent tricks and stunts to amaze and amuse your audience. Master the tricks in this book and you will be ready to entertain anytime, anywhere, with some of the finest of all close-up mysteries.

Karl Fulves, editor of Pallbearer magazine and one of the most renowned modern writers in the field of magic, has selected these tricks from both old and new magic stunts. Some are classic feats of time-tested wizardry, while others are new and inventive techniques. All, however, are easy-to-learn foolproof routines that will enable you to dazzle and delight your audience.

Paperbound, 122 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 185 illustrations.

by Steve Beam

Since the first volume was published in 1993, the Semi-Automatic Card Tricks series has become the largest and most reliable resource for professional caliber, non-sleight of hand card magic. Full-time magicians and conjuring hobbyists alike have come to rely on the creative card magic stored in these volumes when they want to go for the jugular.

Calling on his 15 years editing the underground sleight of hand journal The Trapdoor, the author seamlessly blends diabolical methods with humorous presentations proving once again that it is possible to captivate an audience with only pasteboards and personality. In addition to fifty items of his own creation, the author has brought together over two dozen of his friends from around the world who have contributed fifty of their pet effects to this volume. This is high-octane, low-fat, innovative card magic built from the ground up. These effects feature the latest in card trick technology incorporating new principles and little-known subtleties. Whether you want to out-magic your fellow magicians or fry the synapses of your lay audiences, this is real magic for the real world.

100 Effects featuring the magic of:

Mick Ayres
Steve Beam
Doug Canning
Chastain Criswell
Luke Dancy
Dominique Duvivier
Juan Esteban
Cesar Fernandez
Tony Griffith
Chris Hannibal
Andy Hurst
Lewis Jones
Marty Kane
Nathan Kranzo
Antón López
Raj Madhok
Trevor McCombie
Reinhard Müller
Phil Ogden
Gianfranco Preverino
Ramón Riobóo
Scott Robinson
Allan Slaight
Dave Solomon
Camilo Vazquez
R. Paul Wilson.

16 Chapters Including:

The Rolly Polly Controlly
Telephone Tricks
Prediction Tricks
Counter Measures
Gambling Tricks
The Curiouser Count
Impossible Locations
Meet the Eliminator & The Exterminator
Singularities
Bait and Switch
Impossible Revelations
Mental Effects
Magic From Spain
The Magic of Ramón Riobóo
Updates
The Utility Belt.

A complete guide to performing magic for children. New York's top kid show magician, featured on television, in newspapers, and magazines, shares his secrets of success. Featuring six never-before published routines, 27 secrets of funnier routines, 7 essays, plus 21 tips to keep parents from talking during your show! All this and more allows you to work more, and make more money!

Turn your show into non-stop laughter with the techniques you'll discover only in this book.
Learn the psychology behind children's behavior and how to apply that to a successful show.
Unlock the top 10 keys to performing memorable children's magic.
Get the secrets to making parents laugh too, so you get hired again and again!
Discover simple steps that make kids demand you for their party.
Understand the differences in performing for different aged children.
Six steps to getting the most entertainment from a child volunteer.
Solving the tip 19 problems of performing for children.
This is the first time David has released his routines to the magic community. These are his favorite routines from his hugely successful show. These will be the funniest routines you have ever performed.

Five minutes with a Milk Pitcher that will change your show completely.
The funniest Mis-Made Flag routine you have ever seen.
Win your audience over with a charming routine to perform with very shy children, even 3-year-olds can be stars with this trick.
Step-by-step instruction on how to create your own hilarious routines.
David Kaye is a full-time professional magician and writes a monthly column about performing magic for children in MAGIC magazine. His shows have been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, and even the Late Show With David Letterman. He performs more than 300 shows a Year!

What People Are Saying:

"You could fill a book with what I don't know about doing magic for children. As it happens, David Kaye, master of magic for the miniature set, has done just that and far more. He has written a terrific book full of eye-opening ideas about 'how to entertain children with magic and comedy,' as the book's subtitle plainly labels it. Quite possibly the smartest book ever written about that form -- be it hobbyist, part-timer, or full-time professional. But having read it I can assure you that there is no magician on the planet, no matter your specialty, who will not derive immeasurable if unexpected benefit from reading this book."
- Jamy Ian Swiss, Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine

"David Kaye is the real deal. He has been a professional children's entertainer for more than 18 years, and during that time he has performed more than 7,000 shows. David has now assembled his thoughts on kid's show magic in a marvelous book titled Seriously Silly. This book may well become the definitive resource on this type of magic. Seriously Silly is a tremendously valuable book, containing insights that only come from years of experience. For the kid's show performer, it is indispensable. ...highly recommended.
- Michael Close, MAGIC Magazine

"There is no book regarding the performance of magic for adults that is the equal of David Kaye's Seriously Silly. The psychological insight the author has regarding his young audience is staggering. Seriously silly offers lessons in performance and psychology that every performer, whether working for children or adults, can use to greatly enhance their shows. I don't publish many books these days, but I had no choice here: Seriously Silly is the best book ever written on how to perform magic effectively."
- Richard Kaufman

This book has it all: close-up magic, naked women, mentalism, naked women, parlor magic, naked women, illusions, oh, and...naked women.

Sexy Magic is, of course, European- French, specifically. The French have never been a people to shy away from celebrating nudity-in fact, to them, it's quite a different thing altogether since nude women have appeared in advertisements in newspapers and magazines and in various television shows for many decades.

Author James Hodges is one of the great illustrators in France, who, in addition to working on countless magic books, has also done lots of work for the public and is also a well-known designer of stage settings for French theater.

The most fun you'll have reading a magic book.

Not to be sold to anyone under the age of 18 years.

Hardcover, 162 pages, Limited Edition of 1000 Copies

Slush Powder lets you do the impossible! Armed with this secret weapon, you'll be able to perform miracles. Slush Powder gives you the power to perform trick that formerly required cumbersome gimmicks and apparatus with the greatest of ease, and very little preparation. For years, Slush Powder has been an overlooked accessory in the world of magic. Now, with this booklet, some careful thought and practice, you'll be able to perform a wide variety of trick sure to stun any audience.

The step by step instruction in this book give you all the details on how to work easy-to-do miracles with this secret substance.

Inside, you'll learn how to:

Visibly morph a glass full of milk into a handkerchief!
Vanish a bowl full of water!
Change a glass of water into a snowstorm of confetti!
Vanish a shot glass full of liquid from your bare hands!
Included inside is an assortment of innovative tricks and ideas from Patrick Page, one of magic's most creative thinkers.

Long unavailable, Lewis Ganson`s The Magic of Slydini is, perhaps, one of the most influential magic books ever. Many of its routines have now become classics in magic, including Flight of the Paper Balls, Helicopter Card, Coins Through The Table, Slydini`s Knotted Silks, The Paper Balls in the Hat and others. In this brand new edition, Slydini has some additional things to say about his creations. Some time ago, Dr. Gene Matsuura went through the text of Ganson`s book with Tony Slydini and took careful notes as Slydini made valuable additions and observations. The Annotated Magic of Slydini presents every word of Lewis Ganson`s original text, printed in black, along with Slydini`s additions and corrections, printed in blue, making this an invaluable and essential work even for those who own the original book. Hardbound with matching endsheets, foil-stamped cloth cover, striking full-color dust jacket, 312 pages

In Designing Miracles, Darwin Ortiz continues the task he began in Strong Magic: to explore and raise the level of craft in magic. This time he presents a groundbreaking study of how laymen think and what it takes to amaze them.

Darwin has earned a reputation for creating some of the strongest card effects in modern magic. In Designing Miracles, he reveals for the first time the principles and techniques that he follows in doing so. These insights will help you choose stronger effects, create stronger effects, and strengthen those effects that you've already performing.

If you've ever been puzzled by an audience's reaction or lack of it, this book will dispel the mystery. It gives you a new set of tools for understanding how magic works, why it sometimes doesn't, and how to make it work better. Never again will you be at a loss as to why an effect isn't playing well. Never again will you be at a loss as to what to do about it.

If your goal is to provide your audiences with an unforgettable experience of impossibility, you'll find Designing Miracles filled with insights to help you do so. It will teach you how to use the audience's own thinking patterns against them. It will show you how to turn puzzles into miracles. It will do something that few magic books can: change with way you think about magic.

Pages 200 - Hardcover

In this first major book by one of the United States' most respected professionals, Eric Mead covers a wide range of magic and mentalism, drawn completely from his professional repertoire and fine-tuned by performance after performance to its present form.

Bar Magic, Close-up Magic, Strolling Magic, Mentalism, Stage--even two pieces for kids (we're serious)

In addition, there are seven instructive and challenging essays, and two chapters devoted to work with a memorized deck and a systematic approach to Vernon's "Trick That Cannot Be Explained"--a professional approach to these topics that is stunning in its depth, intelligence and originality.

This collection of magic is the real deal--or, as Teller describes it in his introduction to Tangled Web:

"There is no bull***t, not a nugget, between these covers. If you're like me, you'll emerge changed, inspired, tingling."

In the belief that exquisite magic deserves an exquisite form, Tangled Web has been produced with bibliophilic sensibilities inside and out. A book that is pleasing to hold and to read. Magic and mentalism that stands with the finest. Yet, at an affordable price.

Pages 260 - Hardcover.

Psychological Subtleties remains one of the best selling books in the magic and mentalism community and is considered a basic reference source for any complete library on our art. Psychological Subtleties offers ideas, tips and observations of natural human responses that can be inserted into performing situations to make the overall result of an effect much stronger, entertaining and memorable. Several performers incorporated that knowledge into their acts and built whole routines around those clever ideas. Psychological Subtleties 2 picks up where the first book ends. Whereas Psychological Subtleties was not a book of tricks and routines, this book contains complete routines from professionals who understood the value and impact of those ideas in the first book.

Here you will find routines from: Peter Arcane, Greg Arce, Lance Campbell, Dr. Bill Cushman, Christian David, David De Leon, Paul W. Draper, Gerard, Jonathon Grant, Patrick Kuffs, Andy Leviss, Rick Maue, Mike Merchant, Ravi Johannes Pazhur, Ian Rowland, Leonardo Silverio, and Michael Sibbernsen as well as routines and more subtleties from the mind of Banachek.

Pages 203 - Hardbound

By John Northern Hilliard. Hilliard wrote what is regarded as one of the most important books on magic, "Greater Magic". He died in 1935 and his great work was published 3 years later in 1938. It was however known that hundreds of tricks were missing but although a search was made, these were never found - until now. A decade ago, a box full of old magic catalogues was sold at an auction in America. At the bottom of this box, and not even listed in the contents, were two old notebooks - hundreds of typed pages in brown leatherette bindings. The lost notebooks of John N. Hilliard had been found. Here we have those missing tricks produced exactly as Hilliard typed them with his own hand corrections and illustrations. Some 295 pages of magical gems. 60 tricks by Al Baker, dozens by Stewart Judah, 10 tricks by S. Leo Horowitz, 30 tricks by Ted Annemann, with hundreds more from Dai Vernon, Cyril Yettmah, Jack Merlin, Gerald Kosky. Eugene Laurent, Ching Ling Foo, Stanley Collins, Paul LePaul, Michael F. Zens and Hilliard himself. A veritable treasure trove of magical material. The contents lists are superbly organised into related sections such as The Al Baker Section, The Annemann Section, Card Systems Section and the like. The book is superbly bound with gold block lettering and a dust jacket with a photograph of Hilliard. Large format 8-1/2 x 11 inches, 295 pages

Though you probably know Andrew Mayne best from his other books on large-scale illusions, Mad Mojo features Andrew`s favorite impromptu close-up effects. Softbound, 87 pages.

Didn't have a chance to see David Stone on his latest lecture tour? No problem, you can still get the lecture notes.

Misdirection Vanish - The magician spreads a deck of cards between his fingers and removes one card, which he throws in the air. When he catuches the card, the audience notices that the rest of the deck has vanished! A flashy effect you can throw in at anytime during your performance.
Cocktail Matrix - David Stone's version of David Williamson's "No Card Matrix" routine, with an enhanced climax and a clean ending!
Mercury One - A cool utility move to secretly fold a playing card into quarters... with just one hand!
Vertical Big Apple - A super visual production of a coin at your fingertips!
26 pages, staplebound and fully illustrated

Everything you've ever wanted to know about a Svengali deck!!!

In this book, Mark Lewis teaches you everything you need to know about a Svengali deck. From mechanics and handling, to Mark's elaborate and refined routine, to an assortment of other tricks and effects that can be performed with the deck, the reader is given everything needed to become a master of the Svengali!

From The Book's Foreword:

" ... With just the right mix of simple but effective magic, a disarming manner, and self-targeted humorous patter, Mark can make any audience eat out of his hand. From redneck to royalty, on a street corner, in a restaurant or on stage (yes, he does card tricks on stage), people stop to watch him put reality on hold for fun and fantasy for a little while.

A good portion of Mark's success as a performer can be attributes to his experience as a pitchman. Like the street magician, the pitchman has to be quick-witted and resourceful and, above all, have the ability to make people stick around until the very end and, hopefully, spend some money.

This is where Mark shines. His Svengali pitch, developed over years of working in the trenches, is amazingly effective at maintaining interest and getting oohs and aahs - and even a few dollars. ...

In these pages you will find Mark's complete routine, exactly as he uses it, and as he taught it to magicians around the world. Study it well, inject your own style and personality into it, use it for magic or pitching, but above all use it."

Pages 38

A Handbook for Conjurers

Like theatrical presentations, conjuring is an art of illusion. A magician skilled in the craft is able to convince an audience that he or she can read minds, communicate with the spirit world, make objects appear or disappear and perform other acts of of seemingly genuine magic.

Without having mastered the art of presentation or "showmanship" however, even the most competent sleight-of-hand artist can fall short in performance. With this in mind, noted authority Henning Nelms goes beyond the basics to show how techniques developed for the stage by playwrights, directors and actors can heighten the dramatic effect of a magician's performance.

In this instructive book, Nelms analyzes every phase of conjuring-from sleights, devices and illusions to misdirection, controlling the audience's attention, incorporating "patter" and the effective use of assistants. Of particular interest is a chapter on body language, posture-positioning and movement. Also included are some 60 original routines-from simple card tricks to such major illusions as having the performer suddenly appear at stage center.

Indispensable as an instruction manual for novices, this how-to-guide, enhanced with nearly 200 of the author's illustrations, will also serve as a lasting source of advice and inspiration for veteran conjurers.

Paperbound, 322 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 191 figures

The first two chapters contain 31 excellent coin tricks and additional material. The third chapter contains 8 brilliant card tricks. The fourth chapter contains 6 expert gambling sleights and other information. The fifth chapter contains: The Salt Trick * The Broken and Restored Cigarette (5 versions!) * The Bill in the Cigarette * The Bill Tear * The Egyptian Ball * The Egg Bag * The Ring in the Box * My Favorite Drink * My Rope Tie Routine * and even a paper cutting effect! The sixth chapter is a treatise on sleeving. The seventh chapter covers FRANCIS CARLYLE's famous Blindfold Act and The Cups and Balls. The eighth chapter contains six of the best effects and secrets of PAUL FOX. The ninth chapter contains great magic by T. NELSON DOWNS, DANNY DEW, HOWARD HUNTINGTON, EMIL JARROW, MAX STERLING, and HARRY SCHILLING. Finally, the tenth chapter contains many informative and important bits of magical information.

A variety of good material are here to please all readers! Ross Bertram has drawn on his good friends DAI VERNON and FAWCETT ROSS for assistance, contributions, and advice. DAVID DRAKE has contributed a short but complete biography of the author.

Many stories of the adventures and mishaps of well-known magical figures are included. This is truly the best in variety magic with an emphasis on coin work.

Over 400 photo illustrations by Mr. Bertram and his wife, Helen, are used to explicitly portray every detail of the text. 163 professionally typeset 8.5"x11" pages, beautifully hardbound and dustjacketed.

"This kid is going places" - Lance Burton

"A world class magician-in-the-making, I'm honored to call Joshua Jay my friend." - Tom Mullica

"He is the future of magic, and he scares me because he is so good!" - Lennart Green

"Joshua Jay is the most accomplished young artist to come along in many years. He is star quality." - Roger Klause

"Joshua Jay is one of America's finest young magicians." - Richard Kaufman

"After meeting Joshua and reading his lecture notes, I can only say one thing...BUY THE BOOK!" - Bill Malone

"What impresses me the most about Joshua is that he is a student of magic: he reads, he studies, and most importantly, he thinks. Joshua is talented, creative, and a very personable young man. I forsee great things for him." - Michael Close

"Magically speaking, I can say that I have seen his birth. His material is creative and refreshing. His personality is outgoing and energetic... Wow he is good." - Aldo Colombini

At only seventeen years old, Joshua Jay has authored a collection of over fifty explosive effects! Joshua Jay's Magic Atlas is a map guiding you through the uncharted territory on the philosophy of magic, as well as six adventurous chapters filled with creative magic using: cards, coins, rope, silks, pens, matches, shirts, finger rings, sand, Band-Aids, a remote control, a paintbrush, and much, much more! This hardbound book is a must for any performer!

Pages 184

The complete beginner's guide to anytime, anywhere sleight-of-hand magic. The man who made The Memory Book a #1 national bestseller reveals the secrets of his favorite hobby - Magic! With characteristic wit and directness, Harry Lorayne explains the secrets of a few simple techniques that will enable anyone to perform the most complicated magic. There are no props to buy, no preparations to make, no gadgets to construct. Every feat in The Magic Book can be performed with common household items. After the basics, Mr. Lorayne provides simple step-by-step instructions for hundreds of amazing tricks!

Hardcover, full-color dust jacket, 248 pages, over 200 illustrations

"I think any magician would do well to study his act, and learn how great close-up magic is created." -From Dai Vernon's Introduction

Over 15 routines and sleights from one of magic's most legendary characters. Includes Goshman's "The Act," a 10-trick set that was an audience favorite at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA. Also contain's Goshman's handlings of: Cards Thru Newspaper, Card in Purse, Glass Thru Table and more.

Hardbound, 149 pages, fully illustrated.

An extended explanation of the magician's applications of the Psychology of Misdirection, what it is, and how it operates. It covers the subjects of disguise and attention control, simulation, dissimulation, interpretation, maneuver, pretense, ruse, and much more. Magic by Misdirection is a true classic of magic and absolute must reading for every serious magical performer.

227 pages, hardbound with dust jacket.

For over ten years, Jim Sisti's The Magic Menu has held a unique position in magic as a consistent, reliable source of information for working professional restaurant and bar magicians, written by working professionals.

Each quarterly issue is packed with information for the working performer, with helpful articles, honest and concise reviews and, of course, original magic from established professionals and unknown pioneers making their mark.


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Issue 63 focuses on Alternative Venues for the close-up performer. High school graduation/post-prom parties are examined by editor Jim Sisti as are supermarket promotions by Phil Smith. Co-editor Andrew J. Pinard takes a look at how your approach can effect the way others view magic and magicians and staff writer Dave Shepherd interviews magician and "deep thinker" David Parr about theatricality in close-up magic.

Also in this issue, regular columnists Paul Green, Richard Robinson, Eric Henning and David Acer are rejoined by Andrew Pinard with his "Nuts & Bolts" column, where he tackles the often-controversial topic of performing fees. Mark Zacharia reviews the School for Scoundrel's "Street Shells" and Harvey Berg's "Final Exam."

50 pages; perfect bound.