And?

Totally agree. Anybody fluent in both German and English can confirm that Richard did a very good job.

The first Hofzinser expert I met was Persi Diaconis and he could, and did, much of the material.

Bill7 did not specify which Hofzinser book (or both) - Kartenkunst (Card Magic) and Zauberkunst (Other Than Card Magic). Hofzinser was one of the first magi to use gimmicked cards (like double facers). He was ahead of his time. Granted Houdin was way ahead of his time. Even though the Hofzinser files might be tainted, we do owe a debt of gratitude to Fischer. We also are indebted to Christian for his diligent Hofzinser archeological finds and Richard Hatch's translation of Zauberkunst. When you think of Hofzinser, you think of a Romantic type of magic. One with charm and wonder. At one of the MCA Conventions Richard Hatch performed some effects, while his wife ( I think), a concert violinist, played. It was absolutely beautiful.

In 2003, I had a chance to spend a half a day in a "special" sitting room at the Library of Congress. After putting on cotton gloves, I had the opportunity to play with the Hofzinser magic equipment. I did not get to play with the Any Card Called for Card Rise. It was on display, not far from the Gutenberg Bible, in the public part of the Library. What an experience it was to handle the Hofzinser pieces.

Garry Hayes

Actually the books are called Kartenkünste (card tricks) and Zauberkünste (magic tricks). The "magic tricks" do actually include one card trick, that is the Card Automaton.

The most difficult part of performing any of Hofzinser's material the way he performed it has to do with two factors that have changed very radically since the material was first written. One is that Hofzinser often used poetic patter. Trying to translate German poetry into rhymed English that doesn't sound odd is not easy at all. The other is the pace of the work. Modern audiences generally will not tolerate slower-moving presentations.

As an aside, I recently saw Robert Olson do his Richard Potter act. He may have paced it a bit faster than Potter would have done. In any case, it worked well for a modern audience.

The third and last volume of Magic Christian's excellent Hofzinser trilogy "Non Plus Ultra" is apparently going to be published later this year.

Apologize. What news about translating of "Non Plus Ultra"? 2009 - finished...

I think that is still "under construction."

Hope these English translations come out soon, what's your beef with Giobbi Bill?

Re-reading the thread - it's been years and perhaps later this year we'll see some of the books in new and expanded translations that include more historical context, letters and information than was available before.

In the mean time I suggest folks get familiar with the available translations, especially Hatch's book which is available as legitimate a ebook. Some of the letters are suggestive about what the guy wanted to accomplish in magic and performance.

Mr. Townsend,. It's always a joy to read the thoughts of someone so knowledgable. Thank you.

:bikes:

It's not worth any more time than I have already spent on it.

Well said, Bill.

How are folks doing with the hofzinser books?

Dipping into vol 1 from time to time. It's mostly biography. So far, comprehensive, but not always compelling. Sort of like reading a Ph.d. dissertation. I'm trying to be good and not rush to vol. 2. Too many other magic things I'm trying out now, and I need to give them space.

L*, the paperback card conjuring book was one of my first magic books. put side by side with expert card technique it was a shocking contrast.