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| Author | Professor Hoffmann |
|---|---|
| Published | 1876 |
Modern Magic by Professor Hoffmann (real name Angelo Lewis) is a treatise in book form, first published in 1876, detailing the apparatus, methods and tricks used by the magicians and conjurors of that era. Hoffmann was considered to be one of the greatest authorities on the theory and practice of magic, despite his own limited professional experience as a magician. [1]
Professor Hoffman imparted much of his wisdom and expertise in the art of magic through a series of four books: [2]
Of the series, Modern Magic is best known. The book contains advice on the appearance, the dress and the staging of a magician. [3] It then goes on to describe many tricks with playing cards, coins, watches, rings, handkerchiefs, dominoes, dice, cups and balls, balls, and hats, and concludes with a long chapter of miscellaneous tricks, including magic with strings, gloves, eggs, rice and some utility devices. The penultimate chapter describes large stage illusions, and the final chapter contains advice on routining a magic show, and more advice on staging. [4]
The first edition of Modern Magic "sold out within weeks and subsequent printings continued to fly off the shelves." [3] Its popularity was due in part to the scarcity of teaching materials available to would-be magicians in the late 19th century. [5] Modern Magic was the first book in the English language to really explain how to perform magical feats. [6] The publication of Modern Magic was controversial, however, as some magicians were outraged that their secrets were now published. [3] On the other hand, it appears that Hoffmann only published secrets with their creators' permission. [3]
Modern Magic, and Hoffmann's writings in general, influenced several well-known magicians including Howard Thurston, Chung Ling Soo, Alexander, and Harry Houdini. [3] David Copperfield's private museum is home to Hoffmann's personal copy of Modern Magic. [3] Copperfield believes that "the book eventually played an essential role in elevating the art of conjuring and may have acted as a catalyst for the entire golden age of magic". [3]
Erik Weisz, known as Harry Houdini, was a Hungarian-American escape artist, illusionist, and stunt performer noted for his escape acts.
Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin was a French watchmaker, magician and illusionist, widely recognized as the father of the modern style of conjuring. He transformed magic from a pastime for the lower classes, seen at fairs, to an entertainment for the wealthy, which he offered in a theatre opened in Paris, a legacy preserved by the tradition of modern magicians performing in tails.
David Seth Kotkin, known professionally as David Copperfield, is an American magician, described by Forbes as the most commercially successful magician in history.
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The Discoverie of Witchcraft is a book published by the English gentleman Reginald Scot in 1584, intended as an exposé of early modern witchcraft. It contains a small section intended to show how the public was fooled by charlatans, which is considered the first published material on illusionary or stage magic.
Will Goldston (1878–1948) was an English stage magician in the first half of the 20th century.
The Expert at the Card Table, is an extensive book on the art of sleight of hand published in 1902 by S. W. Erdnase, a pseudonymous author whose identity has remained a mystery for over a century. As a detailed manual of card sharps, the book is considered to be one of the most influential works on magic or conjuring with cards.
William Ellis Stanyon was a professional magician and magic dealer in London.
Magic, which encompasses the subgenres of illusion, stage magic, and close-up magic, among others, is a performing art in which audiences are entertained by tricks, effects, or illusions of seemingly impossible feats, using natural means. It is to be distinguished from paranormal magic which are effects claimed to be created through supernatural means. It is one of the oldest performing arts in the world.
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Henry Ridgely Evans was an American magician and journalist.
Professor Hoffmann (1839–1919) was the pseudonym of Angelo John Lewis, an English-born barrister and writer who has been described as "the most prolific and influential magic author and translator until modern times."
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Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring public domain audiobook at LibriVox | General |  | |
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