Does anyone have any recommendations for his "It's Easier Than You Think" booklets? I'm debating between these three or his DVD.

His booklets teach routines, while his DVD shows how to body load, but no actual routines.

In my mind Geoffrey Buckingham is the “man” in manipulation acts.
He invented holders and methods for producing a shower of coins that still haven’t been improved upon. In fact for a stack of coins you only need a small file and a bit of thread! I have been using the Buckingham final load set-up and steal for years.

Geoffrey won the FISM first place in 1949 (Amsterdam) and two years later (1951, Paris) won the FISM Grand Prix! All with manipulation! The man could do an entire billiard ball act (color changes and a one-to-eight production) WITHOUT a shell!

First is his book “It’s Easier Than You Think”, which, in my mind is the bible of manipulative magic! It covers a billiard ball act, a thimble act, and coin act. However it does not cover cards. The book tells you how to make everything you need. My thumb worn first edition was published in 1952 and is inscribed to me by Mr. Buckingham (I was just a kid not 10 yet and had learned to thumb palm a thimble, he saw me doing it waiting to see his show and showed me a couple of moves and gave me his book!).

Magic Inc. later split this book up into three pamphlets. They were released about the time The Videonics videos were made and released (1970’s). In those video’s he was at the end of his career and a bit slow, but challenged the viewer to catch any one of 39 or 40 steals that he used to pull off his act. It is a wonder to behold!

I think that anyone doing a manipulation act (or a manipulation based sequence in the act) would learn a great deal about set-up and presentation from this old man.

L&L has bought the rights to the Videonics series and has re-released the Buckingham tapes in DVD format. The first part of the DVD is Mr. Buckingham setting up for his act. He discusses briefly his version of coin dumpers (the best and easy to make) and stacks of coins.

The second part of the DVD (Volume 2 of the Videonics tapes) actually has Mr. Buckingham doing some of his pet stand-up tricks (A one ball routine, cards to pocket etc.). I think that the tapes enhance learning from the book. The book can still be found at some of the used magic book dealers and is generally cheaper than the three booklet set. The photos in the book are much clearer (the pamphlets seem to be poor photocopies of the original).

I would buy both the book and the DVD.

Thanks for the info. I was looking at them to get an idea of some silent manipulation to gather a tip on the street, was just wondering if you have done any in your street act. I was thinking some thimbles (simple multiply - color change - jumbo) just to gather some people before launching into a pitch. I'm tired of trying to gather a crowd with my voice, it gives out too easy and gets hoarse after a couple of hours, and I've seen some acts draw a large crowd just by standing by a table with their props laying out.

I agree with Harry. I have "It's Easier Than You Think" (first edition and signed by the author) and it is a treasure trove of manipulation and is my bible. WELL WORTH GETTING! I have had no dealings with the DVD, so I can't comment, but the book is definitely worth getting!!!

I also agree that the book is just a wonderful source. I did not even realize there was a DVD out there on Buckingham's work. Where could I pick this up?

It was put out by L and L a few months ago.

Aww thanks Zombie. I will certainly have to check that out. I have a collection of manipulative books and videos and I would love to get this for my own library. If anyone has a web link for the DVD, please PM me the information. Thanks.

Kyle, the L & L bought the old Videotronics series and have re-released them. The Buckingham DVD has his complete lecture (two video tapes) on it.

Check out:
http://www.llpub.com/catalog/product_inf......_id=1575

Harry:
That is awesome news. I had no idea they put that out. I have loved his books and reading his information. I am certainly going to check that out and obtain that for my own collection. Thanks for the information.