Classic Secrets of Magic

Instantly hailed as an important work upon publication, Bruce Elliott's Classic Secrets of Magic is full of sage advice and clear, concise instructions on how to perform exactly what its title promises: time-tested and audience-loved magical mysteries devised and routined by some of the twentieth century's great magicians.

We've recently uncovered a limited quantity of the 1953 edition of the book and are pleased to offer it to our customers while supplies last. 

From the jacket flap: 

"Anyone who has seen a magician perform has almost certainly seen one or more of the tricks explained in this book. For these are great tricks of the magic profession, tricks that have proved perennially spectacular in performances on the stage, on television, or in private audiences.

"The author explains first the basic scheme of each trick, then discusses the possibilities for variation and expansion as developed by a number of famous magicians. Each of the classic tricks included here is methodically described in detail and illustrated in line drawings; none of them involves expensive or complicated apparatus. From the cups-and-balls tricks dating back at least to the time of the Egyptian pyramids to Houdini's famous needle-swallowing feat, these pages are full of invaluable information for magicians, beginners or advanced performers."

Elliott includes contributions from many of his famous friends, among them Al Baker (Rice Bowls), Dai Vernon (card magic), Wally Dean, Jardine Ellis, Dr. Theodore Sack (this book explains his dice trick), Roy Benson (his famous Bowl Routine), Charlie Miller, Jack Chanin, and many more. Indeed, the pages of this book introduced the magic world and the world at large to effects now considered standards.

Laid bare here are the methods and performance points behind the venerable Cups and Balls, the Egg Bag, multiplying Billiard Balls, and card effects galore. While it may appear that only twelve tricks make up the table of contents, each chapter gives the student much to digest, and many salient points to consider - giving the attentive reader much more than a mere dozen tricks to add to his arsenal. 

As one review in The Magic Wand so aptly put it, Elliott's book is, "A classic on the classics." And so it has been for more than seventy years. Perhaps it's time you find out why so many have sung its praises? 

A 6 x 9" hardcover, 210 pages, with illustrations by famed mentalist and close-up magician Dr. Stanley Jaks. 

Please note that because the books in our inventory are over 70 years old, the dust jackets are scuffed or rubbed, but the books themselves are in good to near fine condition internally.