Magician’s Magic by Paul Curry

I read this book initially over 25 years ago, and remembered to this day the story that Mr. Curry relates about the time Winston Churchill was late for a War Cabinet meeting because he was busy watching a magician perform “Out of This World”. But this book has so much more than Curry’s most famous card trick, which is does indeed explain.

I guess it was aimed at the layman or beginner in magic, but as a performer and collector of magic for over 30 years I still found it a very interesting and rewarding read. He has chapters on many aspects of our art relating all the way back to the Cups and Balls. He covers stage illusions, close-up, escapes, seances, mentalism, and more.

One of the things I really like about this book is that Mr Curry will detail some historical effect or principle and then describe a more up to date and easy to do version of the effect or principle that can be perfomed. Most of the magic in the book is possible to perform without complex sleight of hand or specialised props.

It is a mix of history, showmanship and magical effects, by one of the true greats in the art of magic. I for one believe this should be on every beginners and advanced magic list!

Details:  Among veteran magicians, Paul Curry was known for his invention of many new tricks and the imaginative twists he gave old ones. But this charming book is much more than just a compendium of classic legerdemain. It’s a page-turning commentary on the history of magic, along with descriptions of illusions that anyone can master.

Presenting thoroughly engrossing material in a truly elegant style, the “magician’s magician” discloses the secrets behind more than 25 close-up marvels — including his own “Out of This World,” reputed to be the best card trick of the past century. The book also surveys the entire field of prestidigitation — from magic performed in ancient Egypt to tricks executed in modern times.

Contents:

• ACKNOWLEDGMENT
• INTRODUCTION
• CHAPTER ONE BY WAY OF BACKGROUND
• CHAPTER TWO THE OLD, OLD TRICKS
• CHAPTER THREE THE MAGICIAN’S IMAGE
• CHAPTER FOUR HOUDINI— AND AFTER
• CHAPTER FIVE THE NEW CONJURERS
• CHAPTER SIX WHAT BECAME OF GRAVITY?
• Robert-Houdin’s Levitation
• Maskelyne’s Levitation
• A Pencil – a Ring – and Gravity
• CHAPTER SEVEN INTO THIN AIR
• The Sphinx
• Where Do the Ducks Go?
• The Joker Knows
• CHAPTER EIGHT OUT OF NOWHERE
• The Vampire
• Production of a Bowl of Water
• Made Whole Again
• Sawing a Lady in Half
• The Cut and Restored String
• CHAPTER NINE TIES THAT DO NOT BIND
• Walking Through a Wall
• String Around the Fingers
• On and Off
• CHAPTER TEN THE POWER OF THOUGHT
• Thoughts from Afar
• CHAPTER ELEVEN OF THINGS TO COME
• Three Cards in the Future
• CHAPTER TWELVE THE QUICK AND THE DEAD
• A Simple Spirit Séance
• CHAPTER THIRTEEN THE MIND REELS
• Out of this World
• The Case of the Missing Hat
• BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Publisher: Franklin Watts
• Pages: 269
• Location: New York, USA
• Dimensions: 6″x9″
• Date: 1965
• Binding: hardbound

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