The secrets of the greatest magician of them all are revealed in this new one-volume edition of two classic long-out-of-print works, Houdini's Escapes and Houdini's Magic. Prepared by Walter Gibson after Houdini's death in 1926, from the magicians private notebook and memoranda, and with the assistance of his widow, Beatrice, and his friend and attorney, Bernard M. L. Ernst, then President of the Society of American Magicians, these books provide the most complete description available of Houdini's feats and how he performed them. In effect, these are the books that Houdini himself would have written, if only he had lived long enough. Here are the details of the spectacular illusions: Walking Through a Brick Wall, The Spanish Maiden Escape, The Milk Can Challenge, and many more such marvelous feats. Special topics covered in the first volume include rope ties and chain releases, underwater escapes, and box, trunk, barrel and coffin escapes. In learning about his escapes, the reader will also learn about Houdini himself. As Melbourne Christopher, America's foremost illusionist, writes: "It will soon become apparent to the reader that though Houdini was daring, he never took an uncalculated risk. He would not accept a challenge unless he was sure he could meet it. He was physically fit, an athlete and a strong swimmer . Yet his assistants were poised to rescue him if he didn't surface on schedule from an underwater box. A dozen less careful performers would have been drowned or seriously injured because they attempted this feat without sufficient knowledge or without taking necessary precautions. The second volume on Houdini's magic includes sections on impromptu tricks for close up performance; card tricks; slate tricks; message-reading and second-sight tricks; platform tricks; stage illusions and special effects (including a mid-air vanish and decapitation act); tricks that Houdini used to duplicate the effects of fraudulent mediums in his anti-spiritualistic campaigns and finally the notes Houdini made on the magic of the great Harry Kellar. All magicians, professional as well as amateur, will welcome the republication of these two classic books. WALTER GIBSON, after completing Houdini's Escapes and Houdini's Magic, turned to fiction writing, creating the famed mystery character of Lamont Cranston, also known as The Shadow. Under the pen name of Maxwell Grant, he wrote novel-length stories for The Shadow Magazine for more than fifteen years. These novels were adapted for The Shadow radio program and today they are being reprinted in paperback and hard-cover editions. Under his own name, Mr. Gibson has written The Master Magicians and many other books in the fields of magic, games and the occult.

Houdini's Escapes and Magic

GIBSON, Walter B.

Bantam]

The Mask of Mephisto & Murder by Magic (Shadow)

Published for the Crime Club by Doubleday

Card magic revealed in photographs and text.

The Complete Illustrated Book of Card Magic: The Principles and Professional Techniques Fully Revealed in Text and Photographs,

Doubleday Publishing

"According to Hoyle" is the card-table synonym for Correct --a definitive guide to the correct playing of all known card games, with full descriptions and explanations of rules and techniques for each game and its variations. B &amp; W photographs throughout.

Hoyle's Modern Encyclopedia of Card Games: Rules of All the Basic Games and Popular Variations

Humor & Entertainment

Puzzles & Games

Crown

This book is for the amateur magician who wants to learn (and start performing) well-known tricks that professionals use. Fifty easy yet effective tricks are presented, offering a well-rounded repertoire on which the beginner can draw while developing further interests and skills. "To explain how magic is done is one thing," Mr. Gibson says in his introduction, "To tell how to do it quite another." In this volume you will be taken through every stage of each trick — an overview, how the trick appears to the audience, the mechanism behind the trick, and finally the presentation details that allow you to perform the trick in a completely professional manner. By carefully following the few simple yet essential tips the tricks will soon be yours. Emphasis is on tricks that can be performed informally with a small group of friends. There are card tricks of both the setup and impromptu kind, there are tricks with string, handkerchiefs, tumblers, and mental magic where the purpose is "to deceive the mind rather than the eye." A final section on well-known stage illusions shows how the same performance principles are carried to magic on a higher level. With this book the beginner will be able to perform professional tricks within hours, while even the more advanced magician will find new tricks and new ways of doing old ones. The author draws upon a lifetime in professional magic for his tricks. Not only is Mr. Gibson well known as one of the best writers about magic; he was also long associated with Houdini, the Thurstons, and other great magicians of the past.

Professional Magic for Amateurs (Dover Magic Books)

Dover Publications

Guides novice in mastering 36 tricks; 16 pages of cut-out materials. 36 additional tricks. 64 illustrations.

The New Magician's Manual: Tricks and Routines with Instructions for Expert Performance by the Amateur: 16 Pages of Magic Apparatus

Crime Oracle and the Teeth of the Dragon: Two Adventures of the Shadow

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

More than 75 knots and their uses. Hobbyists, decorators and tricksters will treasure this collection of useful, decorative and magic knots. From simple hitches to complex lariats, trick knots and rope tricks with step-by-step illustrations and instructions. Illustrations throughout. 144 pages.

Knots and How to Tie Them

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Crafts & Hobbies

Gramercy

What's new in magic [Jan 01, 1966] Gibson, Walter Brown

What's new in magic

RANDOM HOUSE TRADE @

Stories deal with an actress who avoids aging, ghosts, extrasensory perception, ancient curses, parallel worlds, and a veteran's guilty dreams

Rod Serling's Twilight Zone

Literature & Fiction

United States

Random House Value Publishing

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Books by GIBSON, Walter B.