Card Magic - Richard Kaufman - Contento Estate
Availability: In stock
Collection: All Products, Antiques/Estate, Books, Card Close-Up Magic, Close-Up Magic, Effects, Magic Books, What's Hot, What's New
Lying in a dark undisturbed drawer for decades lay Harry Houdini's copy of THE DISCOVERIE OF WITCHCRAFT, a book written by Reginald Scot in 1584. It is the first book in the English language to describe sleight of hand tricks, and Houdini's copy was very special because it held the key to a mystery which fascinated magicians for centuries. Just who did Reginald Scot obtain all his information from - who was the magician who gave away some of the greatest and most closely guarded secrets of conjuring? The answer lay in the barely legible notes Houdini had scribbled in the margins. 'Shakespeare's copy, see in rear cover,' read Houdini's less than cryptic message. Inside the back of the book were William Shakespeare's handwritten notes of about fifty tricks and sleights, some of which appeared in THE DISCOVERIE OF WITCHCRAFT.
The secret is now fully revealed for the very first time: the young Will Shakespeare, while having just fathered a child, needed money, so he took the job.
In a story as exciting as any detective novel, author Richard Kaufman deciphered Shakespeare's ridiculous scribbling...and has written this book, which includes forty-five effects by Shakespeare (some lousy ones, too - he wasn't always clever), and another twenty contributions from some of the world's greatest cardmen, including: Derek Dingle, Edward Marlo, Jon Racherbaumer, Harry Lorayne, Gene Maze, Darwin Ortiz, Ken Krenzel, Bill Simon, Phil Goldstein, and Russell Barnhart....
Even while Shakespeare is spinning in his grave, over seven-hundred animated illustrations that seem to move combined with Richard Kaufman's superb text will clearly teach you many fine card routines you will be proud to add to your repertoire.
Approximatley: 184 pages with 727 black and white illustrations
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1979 FIRST EDITION HC WITH DJ - DJ IS NF COND - PREVIOUS OWNER STAMPED WITH PERSONAL BOOKPLATE "MARCELO CONTENTO" ON TITLE PAGE - PRICE IN PENCIL UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF TITLE PAGE - BOOK IS F COND
Stevens Magic Emporium is honored to be able to represent the family of Marcelo, by offering our distinguished clients many of whom were friend with or familiar with the highest quality magic products produced at that time. One can't think of the Contento name without immediately visualizing the famed and always in demand card fountains. When it came to establishing a brand - the Contento brothers did it as good as it could be done.
What a great tribute to his memory by making his personal collection finally available to other magic enthusiasts. Each book comes with a book plate - Marcelo Contento - Ex Libris
