I'm writing this review, only because of my recent re aquaintence with this incredible book. Oddly enough, I've never seen it in a magic shop-though I'll guess that someone has it in stock. In 1975, I discovered it in Bretano's bookstore, back in Queens, N.Y.. I was twelve, about to graduate from grade school. I was so absolutely enchanted by the book-with all of it's wonderful illustrations, that I begged my Mother to get it for me. She did, and may have thought, 'it's a nice hobby.' Indeed, and one that I'm still in love with so many years later. The other activity that my Mother also encouraged and nourished, was my natural ability to draw and build things-which led me to become a professional illustrator, designer, and teacher-while magic remained in a secret drawer nearby.
This book, is indeed encyclopedic-though not organized as such. Any effect that you can conceive of, is dealt with in this book. The forward acknowledges Dr. Jaks, Al Flosso, and Walter Gibson as major authors and compilers of the text-which originally were sold in three separate volumes. There is so much material in this book, that it more than borders upon excess.
The real joy I have and HAD in 1975 while viewing this book, are the illustrations. This is a direct peek back into the 1920's, when Vaudeville was still going. The magician in the pictures, a likeness of Dunninger, is repeatedly seen in full tuxedo, entertaining equally classy folks, in settings that the Great Gatsby may have owned. Indeed Long Island is mentioned, and WAS quite an elitist part of New York back then. Many other images here, show magicians dressed like devils, harlequins, turks, hindus-just a range of theatrical characters,from exotic parts of the globe. Think of magic posters from the turn of the twentieth century, and take away the color, and thats what this work is filled with. Absolutley charming,-Gibson girls and all.
There are tricks here, which are still around today. The dressing or technology may have advanced, but the premises and M.O.'s have remained. For example, the magician shows two wood blocks, one red, one black. These he asks the spectator to wrap up, and box, separately. Somehow, the Magi can tell which color is which. Today, we have the 'minimax magnetic sensor'. In Dunninger world, the sensor was a tiny pocket compass, reacting to a magnet hidden in one of the blocks. It was small tricks like this that I was able to make at home as a boy-while experiencing a bit of frustration at the sight of all of the gadgetry in this book, that looked marvelous...but that I simply had neither the skill, materials, or know how to create. Young as I was, this book cemented something of belief that 'magic trick=gadget!'
There is afterall greater focus here upon props/gimmicks, than presentation.
A further aspect of the 'time capsule' quality of this book, are the pages dealing with seance techniques. This is the real deal, straight from Houdini's time. Even if a reader never uses a trick in this book, it still carries much relevence so far as what magic was then, compared with now. The boy I was dreamt of stepping into this enchanted world of the twenties,
which I eventually recognized no longer exsisted anywhere except in visual and written documentation.
So much I could say further...perhaps I may sum this review up, by suggesting that you find this book, and savor the contents. While it contains still relevent material, it is to me, one of THE more gorgeous magical 'musems' that I have ever seen. Thank you, Mom.