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Modern Magic has won its place in the history of conjuring as the very first English-language work to explain how to perform magic, rather than just exposing its secrets. This work contains more than 220 tricks and effects, many of which are still used today. All contain principles that, with slight adaption, formed the basis of numerous more modern effects, and which, with a touch of imagination, can be utilized to create new and dramatic effects.
The range of tricks covered in this book remains massive: from lessons on basic sleight-of-hand to advanced card tricks, tricks with apparatus and without, hat productions, balls, full linking rings and cups and balls routines, watches, dominoes, dice, and much more, before ending with some of the most advanced mechanical stage effects of the author's day. Along the way, the author provides detailed step-by-step instructions, backed by complete "patter" suggestions which may be used as is, or adapted to taste.
This new edition has been completely reset, hand-edited, and contains all original 318 illustrations, digitally remastered to modern standards. Also includes a new index of tricks.
Contents
Chapter I: Introduction
Chapter II: General Principles of Sleight-of-Hand applicable to Card Tricks
Chapter III: Card Tricks with Ordinary Cards, and not requiring Sleight-of-Hand
Chapter IV: Tricks involving Sleight-of-Hand or the Use of Specially Prepared Cards
Chapter V: Card Tricks Requiring Special Apparatus
Chapter VI: Principles of Sleight-of-hand more especially applicable to Coin Tricks
Chapter VII: Tricks with Coins without Apparatus
Chapter VIII: Tricks with Coin requiring Special Apparatus
Chapter IX: Tricks with Watches
Chapter X: Tricks with Rings
Chapter XI: Tricks with Handkerchiefs
Chapter XII: Tricks with Dominoes and Dice
Chapter XIII: The Cups and Balls
Chapter XIV: Ball Tricks Requiring Special Apparatus
Chapter XV: Hat Tricks
Chapter XVI: Miscellaneous Tricks
Chapter XVII: Stage Tricks
Chapter XVIII: Concluding Observations
Index of Tricks
About the author
Angelo John Lewis (1839 1919) was a British lawyer and amateur magician who won fame not for performing, but for writing the first English-language book that explained how to perform magic, rather than simply exposing its secrets. Using the pseudonym "Professor Louis Hoffmann," Lewis went on to author several other important books on conjuring, but his enduring legacy remains the monumental "Modern Magic."
