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StanleyRosenhouse New user 87 Posts |
Im going to a big auction next week which will be selling many magic books and tricks. I saw photos of stacks of books on their website but I can't tell for sure what they are.
I've never been there but from speaking to people everything is pretty cheap. It's mostly for antique stores, consignment shops, etc. But everyone's welcome. What would you recommend. I'm looking for something to improve my performance/presentation skills. I'm not interested card tricks, biographies, history books. Just books to improve my skills. I haVE ABOUT 30 YEARS OF ON/OFF MAGIC EXPERIENCE AND I CONSIDER MYSELF AN INTERMEDIATE amateur. Oops forgot caps/lock. I currently have a library of about 25 books now including History of Magic, Tarbell set, Mark Wilson Course, Joshua Jay, Bobo, card trick books and a few others. Thanks, Stan
Stan
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friend2cptsolo Elite user Spent all this time on the Cafe' and all I have to show for it is 445 Posts |
Sounds like someone's stash. I have been to these type auctions you can get a lot of neat stuff and they generaly let you kinda look around at items before hand, like condition and such. Maybe they will auction these in one large lot.
ONE FINAL Thought..... BOOKS DO NOT improve skills.... they only improve subject knowledge. |
thomasR Inner circle 1189 Posts |
I would highly recommend anything by Jim Steinmeyer. All of his books are well worth the full price, so if you can get a deal... grab them. A few of them are out of print as well.
I've picked up some really neat older books at used book stores... always fun to see what can be found. |
StanleyRosenhouse New user 87 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 13, 2016, friend2cptsolo wrote: This is a humongous auction in a Convention Hall. They are done every month. I've been in touch with the head organizer. He said the magic items are from various sources. (Over 200 tricks + the books and collectables.) And you are correct I will have time to look at the items before the auction. Thanks for the pearl of wisdom but I'm aware that buying a book will not improve my skills. I must apply the improved subject knowledge. I love it when the WISE magicians talk down to others as if we were in kindergarten. ThomasR, Thanks for the tip. I will look for Jim Steinmeyers' books
Stan
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StanleyRosenhouse New user 87 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 13, 2016, thomasR wrote: Thomas, I usually make it a point to stop and browse whenever I pass by a used bookstore. Sometimes I ask if they have any magic books. I never got that lucky but I'll keep on trying. The journey is the adventure.
Stan
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thomasR Inner circle 1189 Posts |
One of these days I hope to get real lucky and find the Uncanny Scot by Ron Wilson, or Magic of Robert Harbin. Hey I can dream!
Sounds like a great auction. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Shalom Stanley!
One of the recent books of the sort that you are looking for (published about 10 or 12 years ago, is "Maximum Entertainment" by Kenneth Weber. I think it's retailing for about $30 or $35. Ken is a former professional performer who was very successful. His last years "on the road", he played colleges. (NO tricks!...just practical advice of the sort that I believe you want. In the '40s, Dariel Fitzkee published "Magic Showmanship", then, "Magic By Misdirection", and, finally, "The Trick Brain". I believe that a second editon of all three books is now available at about $20/book. "Our Magic" by Maskelynne & Devant is the oldest (fairly easily available) book of the type that you're looking for. The first half is rather "dry", but, you will benefit from it. The most recent publisher was the late Walker Fleming. --I think it was in the late '40s. The second half is (very "English" tricks) by David Devant. Henning Nelms published "Magic & Showmanship" in 1969 (publ: DOVER 22337 X Paperbound $2.50 I consider it a "college course". It's slightly dated, but, well worth your study. Edward Maurice (English music hall performer) published "Showmanship & Presentation" in the late '30s or early '40s. It's a paper back "pamphlet". Maurice covers his type of short vaudeville type of act. I paid less than $5.00 for a copy in the late '40s. Jim Steinmayer is a friend, although we are not 'close'. Jim is the guy who helped a kid named Kotkin (Copperfield) vanish the statue of liberty. I've met Joshua Jay at Abbott's Get Together when he was about 18 or 20. I was impressed. J. B. Bobo and I were friends for many years. (I did schools for about 50 years.) I tell you this, so you will understand that I'm talking from 70 years experience. 20, as s part time pro., and 50 as a full time pro. It's apparent from your OP, that you understand the importance of PRESENTATION. (It aint WHAT ya do, it's HOW ya do it! I would recommend Dennis Haney's magic shop near Baltimore. He has a great stock of new and USED books, and, is a gentleman (or should I say mentsch!?) DENNY & LEE MAGIC STUDIO...9004 Yellow Brick Road...Suite H...Rosedale, MD 21237 (410) 686 3914 L'Chaim! Dick (a shagitz!)
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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StanleyRosenhouse New user 87 Posts |
Thomas,
Thanks. I am looking forward to the auction. I am an auction virgin. I never did this before. Dick, Wow! Thanks for your recommendations. Especially from someone that is so qualified and experienced. I will print out your post and take it with me to the auction. I'm a bit of a cheapskate and I am always looking for a bargain. Thanks for your advice, Stan the Man
Stan
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motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
IN the stacks you saw in the photos, were the titles not visible?
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
A cheapskate! Heqq no! THRIFTY!!!
When I was on the road all those years, I stopped in thrift shops, whenever I had the opportunity. My hobby is collecting fiction with magic "somewhere in the plot". Few of those I've found are "first edition autographed presentation copies", but, I treasure them. I do hope that you find a few treasures! You're most welcome! I enjoy sharing information with those who appreciate it. Yr's, 'til the curtain closes! O
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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StanleyRosenhouse New user 87 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 13, 2016, motown wrote: Motown, Yes, some of the titles were visible but not all. Of the ones that were visible, I was not familiar with most of them. I did not post the link to the auction site because there are literally thousands of auction photos to look at. If you are interested, I can PM you the link.
Stan
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motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
It would be good if you could some of the titles you can see, so we can better inform you. It would also give us an idea of the quality of books up for auction.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
FunMagic! New user 52 Posts |
I was able to get some good stuff out of Magic for Dummies. Don't judge me, it was a gift.
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Doug Trouten Elite user Minnesota 471 Posts |
The "Dummies" books are wonderful, Dangrey. They're a great introduction to anything. And I agree that there's some good stuff tucked away in "Magic for Dummies."
It's still magic even if you know how it's done.
Terry Pratchett |
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