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Paul Chosse V.I.P. 1955 - 2010 2389 Posts |
Anybody heard of this book? It fits here perfectly! Written by Wilfred Huggins with additional effects by Frederic Culpitt and Published by George Johnson in England in 1939, 2nd edition, 1943.
Listen to this: "Rightly or wrongly, this version is claimed by Tom Reid, a wandering wizard who presented his escamotage in the Pimlico market places fifty years ago. Having completed the proverbial routine and brought the little black balls beneath their respective goblets the magician removes these spheres of cork and transfers them one at a time to the right hand outside pocket of his coat. Again the cups are lifted, to disclose three large balls (about one-and-a-half inches in diameter) on the table top. The magician stated that it was an easy thing to smuggle these larger balls under each cup, as the onlookers were not expecting such craftiness; but it would be a much more difficult matter sneaking them out again. As he said this, Reid would raise cup No. 1 (at the right hand end of the row) and pretend to take the large ball away and convey it to his right handpocket. Paying no heed to the remarks of the audience, Tommy went on with the trick, making a feint of removing balls 2 and 3. The crowd would keep up a chorus of protest at such swindling. "Show us the balls," they would bawl out. Reid looked pained, stroked his De Kolta-like beard, and lifted each goblet to reveal the balls on the table, placing the cups at the side of each ball as he lifted them. "Oh, no" the artful old codger would say, "if I wanted to put the balls in my pocket I would do it quite openly, like this," and suiting action to the word he would pick up each ball separately and dispose of them in turn in his pocket, being careful to show that his hand was empty each time that he withdrew it. "So far," our magician would say, "everything has been fair, square, and above board"; a remark that never failed to register. "My job is next to get those balls out of my pocket and back beneath the goblets without being detected. In any case, they haven't arrived yet." At this point the cups were again lifted to show that the balls were not beneath them. "This is going to be a difficult task because you are all watching me so closely." This was the signal for the taking up of a collection. This having been done to Toms' satisfaction, the cups were lifted to reveal three large balls, but colored, red, yellow, and blue!" This is a sample of the things in this little gem of a book - needless to say the methods are fully detailed. He speaks of the pouches street workers used, the effects they did, the methods employed, how they got the money, etc. A great pamphlet, little known and fun to read just for the history! Thought I'd share a bit of it with you... Best, PSC
"You can't steal a gift..." Dizzy Gillespie
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Is this a book, or booklet?
Soft or hard cover? How many pages? Any illustrations? Sounds like some nice descriptions of the effects, almost like a play by play report of the performances. I have friend who deals in rare/out of print books, and will ask to see if I can get hold of one of these. I love History of the Art! BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Paul Chosse V.I.P. 1955 - 2010 2389 Posts |
It is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" inches, in "wraps", the rare book term for paper covers. A pamphlet, actually. Cover, Title page, Table of Contents, Preface, pagination starting at page #4 through page # 19, one page of Advertisments, rear cover. A small pamphlet, as you can see, but jam-packed with info. Terrific descriptions of people, scenarios, etc. Here's another example:
A "Four Aces" Trick "This was a favorite item with Solly Marks, who had a luncheon hour pitch in the Fetter Lane district some forty five years ago. He possessed an arresting personality and had a strong facial resemblance to Charles Morritt. His good looks were somewhat marred as he had only one eye, which possibly explained why it was that Solly did not switch his undeniable talents to wider and more productive fields. From the ranks of the gaping crowd he would drag some time-wasting errand boy, and from his pockets, nose, and chin, extract bunches of cards, getting laughs from the varied collection of small objects brought forth in addition to the pasteboards. Then, running through the pack faces uppermost, he would remove the four aces and deposit them (faces up) on the table top. The press-ganged helper would then be requested to lay three "indifferent" cards on each ace (faces down). Mumbo Jumbo of a more or less Rabelaisian flavour followed; the cards on the table were turned over to disclose the fact that each packet now consisted of four indifferent cards, the aces having vanished. The assistant was invited to search through his pockets and would eventually produce from his inside jacket pocket the missing aces. An excellent finale to a street act, full of diverting material and never failing to elicit a chorus of approval and a shower of coins." As you can see, this is full flavored writing, fun to read, even if you never perform an item in the book. Should be fairly inexpensive - 10.00- 20.00 at the most. I know this for sure, I was a used and rare book dealer, real-world as well as magic books, for many years, and still dabble with certain high end items, so am familiar with appropriate pricing. Check with Michael Cannick in New York, he may have a copy laying about... Best, PSC
"You can't steal a gift..." Dizzy Gillespie
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MagiUlysses Special user Kansas City 504 Posts |
Greetings and Salutations PC,
Thanks for the heads-up, or rather, the confirmation. I ordered this book from Alibris at <http://www.alibris.com>, and it should be in next week. It seems to me I paid about $25 (USD) plus shipping and handling. I forget where I first heard/read a reference to this book(let) but it seemed like a good investment at the time, and your review has confirmed that. Now all I have to do is get through the next week! Have fun playing in the street. Joe in KC Make magic happen, live a great adventure! |
hat trick New user 53 Posts |
The second edition must be expanded. I have this book and it's only 14 pages. It only contains brief descriptions of tricks like the Guinea-Pig, Cap and Pence, and several card tricks. A few tips are offered on how to prepare the hands, etc. Not much info in mine. Also, there's no publishing date but it was published by Geo. Johnson with the "Magic Wand", 24 Buckingham St., Strand, London. Sounds like you have the better of the two.
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Paul Chosse V.I.P. 1955 - 2010 2389 Posts |
Righto, Hat Trick!
As noted in my original post, there ARE two editions, and the second one was published in 1943 with the added material. Happy Hunting! Best, PSC P.S. The magnetic cane routine contains a non-gaff handling that is absolutely impossible looking, and combined with some of the Liepzig "Grips with a Cane", the Carl Stenquist hook-up, and the stuff from this pamphlet, you can do (and someone did!) what looks like the most amazing dancing cane in the world, without the obvious hook-up that the traditional one uses. Most of the "work" is unpublished, or is so scattered that the real secret is pulling it all together. Best, PSC
"You can't steal a gift..." Dizzy Gillespie
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Reed McClintock V.I.P. 772 Posts |
Paul
You always do this to me. You find this material, convienantly that I have and have failed to open it up and read it. When you post something about it reads as if it was this golden light that has just spewed from the pages of a real magic book. How do you do it. The knowledge you have and share this board is very fortunate to have you as a memeber, and I look forward to many more posts and conversations with you. Reed |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Reed and Chosse, talk about chops and knowledge... Hey Reed "I think you should publish or issue you Ninja Ring routine" after all it is just a trick dating back to Egypt in the early days.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Reed McClintock V.I.P. 772 Posts |
Thank you Pete but after the emotional rollercoaster of that ordeal with the magicians like Kohler and Shoot and all of his friends NO WAY. I will keep the routine to myself taking it to the grave with me. I will never share that routine with anyone. It made me feel so dirty and unethical even though, I asked for permission to avoid all of the contraversy that soon engulfed me. I will show the routine, but not tip the work or share the inner structure development, and psychological build up..
I will share with you for your book the in the air spin link that I showed you at the bar at the castle. I hope all is going well I look forward to seeing you again, I enjoy your comapany a great deal and you strange since of humour lol cheers Reed |
Kaliix Inner circle Connecticut 1984 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-04-16 14:03, Reed McClintock wrote: Wow, what did I miss???
The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.
~Daniel J. Boorstin |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
You missed some great work by Mr. M. He has chops to go.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Man I miss Chosse - this is a book well worth finding. As well as Jim Haviland's lecture notes The Street Conjuror available here: http://cgi.ebay.ph/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?View......20255869
This is the old school stuff. I remember talking to Jim Cellini about these books and Jim telling me that Haviland used to produce a plate of sausage and eggs as a hat load. Cool old school stuff - know the history. Paul Chosse really just had a mind like a magical encyclopedia. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
ringmaster Inner circle Memphis, Down in Dixie 1974 Posts |
Did it sound like this ?
http://www.archive.org/details/ConjurorCoventGarden
One of the last living 10-in-one performers. I wanted to be in show business the worst way, and that was it.
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
No sorry, Jim Haviland passed away about 10 or maybe even 15 years ago. that recording sounds like somebody (not Gazzo) doing Gazzo's act.
Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Secrets-Street-C......0wt_1287
A COPY OF THIS GREAT LITTLE BOOK IS AVAILABLE ON EBAY RIGHT NOW! I'd pay the $29 if I didn't all ready have a copy. a great little booklet if you are an actual student of the art. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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