Description
Effect: Since the turn of the century, the name Blackstone has been synonymous with the world of magical illusion. First Harry Blackstone, Sr., known as The Great Blackstone, wowed audiences in the heyday of America’s fascination with magic, perfecting such now-classic illusions as the Dancing Handkerchief, the Buzz Saw, and the Floating Light Bulb, among many others. Then came Harry, Jr., who was first billed at the age of six months as the disappearing child in his father’s show, and who since then has continued the tradition with an act that has been called “the most spectacular traveling illusion show ever” (Newsweek) and “pure magic!” (Time).
In this, his first book on the subject of magic and illusion, Harry Blackstone, Jr., provides a vivid and varied appreciation of the history, science, and art of illusion. From the temples of ancient Egypt to the vaudeville stages of the 1920s, to the Broadway, Las Vegas, and television shows of today, he profiles the greatest closeup artists, parlor entertainers, illusionists, and mentalists. He tells for the first time the fascinating story of the Blackstone family’s life in magic, with revealing anecdotes and many rare, never-before-published photographs. In preparing readers to perform illusions, he discusses not only the method but the psychology behind them-why magic works, and what is expected from the audience.
Special features of The Blackstone Book of Magic and Illusion include in-depth descriptions of the ten basic magic effects (such as production, vanishes, penetration, and animation), and complete, illustrated instructions for performing twenty classic routines and special tricks. There are also appendices of magic societies, organizations, conventions, and dealers, and an annotated bibliography of the best in magic books.
Illustrated with more than 250 photographs and drawings, including a special eight-page color portfolio, this is a treasury for people of all ages who are tantalized by magic and entertainment.
Contents:
vii Foreword (Ray Bradbury)
1 Chapter 1 Introduction The World Of Magic
2 What Magic Really Is
5 Your Place In Magic
10 The World Of Magic From Caveman To Modern Conjuror: A Short History Of The Art Of Illusion
12 Mysticism And Ritual: The Art Of Magic Begins
16 Church Suppression And Magic’s First Literature
19 From Street-corners To The Courts Of Kings: Magic As Entertainment
25 Magic Enters The Theatres
28 The First Great Stars: Magic Takes On An Image
38 The Great Blackstone: Vaudeville And The Rise Of The Big Magic Shows
70 Backstage: Growing Up With The Company
83 The Big Sell: Advertising And Promoting Magic
89 Decline And Rebirth: Nightclubs And Early Television
95 Finding My Own Place In Magic: A Second Blackstone Builds A Show
112 The New Stars: Today’s World Of Magic
117 The Science Of Illusion
117 The Why And How Of Magic
118 Production
121 Vanish
123 Transposition
125 Transformation
126 Restoration
128 Animation
129 Penetration
130 Ami Gravity
133 Sympathetic Reaction
134 Time Control
135 Escapes
136 Mentalism
137 Invulnerability To Physical Laws
137 Psychological Principles
138 Sensory Illusions
139 Misdirection
153 Performing Magic
156 Magic Up Close
157 The Cups And Balls
169 Card Magic
171 The Lie Detector
175 Wrong Into Right
178 A Double Reverse
179 The Detective Card
180 Computer Aces
182 Card Through The Handkerchief
186 Tricks With Coins
194 Tricks With Small Objects
194 The Penetrating Matches
198 Ring On Ribbon
202 Magic At The Table
206 The Double Ropes: An Exploration Of A Classic Magic Principle
215 Final Thoughts And Secrets
220 Bibliography
225 Appendices
225 A: Magic Societies
225 B: Magic Conventions
226 C: Magic Magazines
226 D: Magic Dealers
228 Index
- Publisher: Newmarket Press
- Pages: 230
- Location: New York, USA
- Dimensions: 8″x11″
- Date: 1985
- Binding: hardbound
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