Books a Tenyo Collector Might Enjoy

Here you can discuss magic tricks that Tenyo enthusiast would enjoy but might not be aware of.
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John B.
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Books a Tenyo Collector Might Enjoy

Post by John B. » Wed Jul 24, 2013 9:45 pm

A few of my favorite magic books might appeal to the Tenyo collectors on this forum.

Magic Stage Illusions, Special Effects, and Trick Photography compiled and edited by Albert A. Hopkins.
http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Illusions-S ... hotography

Written over 100 years ago, this book is still relevant and fantastic! This book revealed the secrets to many of the contemporary stage illusions performed by famous magicians like Harry Kellar. My favorite chapters: Ancient Magic (including temple tricks of the Greeks, and other ancient mechanisms) and Curious Toys (including automata, ancient and medieval toys)

The Magic Show by Mark Setteducati
http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Show-Mark-S ... +show+book

This book is actually a complete Magic Show for the reader. Includes interactive pop-up tricks and a zig zag girl that people on this forum will recognize as very similar to Tenyo's Sidetrack.

Illusionology The Secret Science of Magic by Albert Schafer
http://www.amazon.com/Illusionology-Olo ... usionology

My favorite of the three, very interactive like the Magic Show book but adds in a lot of the science behind why magic tricks work. It also provides a historical context including famous magicians of the past. It includes a 3-D pop up model of the classic "Pepper's Ghost Illusion" and comes with a prop "Dematerializer" to make small objects disappear (cross between the classic buddha papers and himber wallet). This book is beautifully illustrated.

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John B.
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Re: Books a Tenyo Collector Might Enjoy

Post by John B. » Sat Aug 24, 2013 6:32 pm

I read a very interesting comic book based on a magic trick today-

http://www.amazon.com/Levitation-Physic ... roduct_top

This is a comic book that tells the story of the beautiful "Levitation of Princess Karnac Illusion" popularized by Kellar and Thurston but originated by Maskelyne over 100 years ago. In many ways this is the predecessor illusion to David Copperfield's Flying illusion. Without giving the secret away, people who are interested in the mechanics/physics of tricks may appreciate the wonderful illustrations of the mechanism behind the levitation and the book does an excellent job of conveying how this works.

Using the illusion as the backdrop for the story between Maskelyne, Kellar and Thurston, the book also does a good job of showing the intense rivalry among magicians during that time.

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Roberto B.
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Re: Books a Tenyo Collector Might Enjoy

Post by Roberto B. » Sat Aug 24, 2013 7:58 pm

The Magic Show by Mark Setteducati is awesome!!! I enjoyed it like a child!

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David DeTenyo
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Re: Books a Tenyo Collector Might Enjoy

Post by David DeTenyo » Sun Aug 25, 2013 4:04 am

Great thread!

I don't have a book by him, but Carl Fulves has some interesting self-working magic like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Self-Working-Pape ... 048624847X

David (Felderswynne)
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An interesting book on the history of magic.

Post by David (Felderswynne) » Wed Apr 23, 2014 12:32 am

There is a book: 'Magic' by Hopkins that is a fascinating read if you have an interest in the history of magic. The book originally published in 1902 and reprinted since, reveals many common stage and carnival effects of the era. The magic of that time would probably not fool a modern audience, but the effects, involving complex engineering, and machinery, reveal a Victorian love of gadgetry. Thinking of the elaborate sets, costumes, and props is to peek into what could be argued as a golden age of magic.
"The mystery becomes greater as the box becomes smaller"

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John B.
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Re: An interesting book on the history of magic.

Post by John B. » Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:49 pm

Hi David,

Great minds think alike- check out my post:

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=77

Maybe we can add this one to the earlier post?

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Re: An interesting book on the history of magic.

Post by David (Felderswynne) » Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:23 pm

Dear John,
Are you familiar with 'Hoffman's Modern Magic', available as a reprint from Dover Publications. As I recall it focuses on the professional magicians of the late 19th century.
"The mystery becomes greater as the box becomes smaller"

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