{"product_id":"blackstone-s-secrets-of-magic","title":"Blackstone’s Secrets of Magic","description":"\u003cp\u003e6W Harry Blackstone. New York: George Sully and Co, Inc., 1930.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlackstone's Secrets of Magic is a general magic manual aimed both at amateurs and budding performers. It’s full of illustrated instructions for a wide range of illusions, tricks, and sleights‑of‑hand. Some of the topics included are vanishes, appearances, transformations, and tricks with common household objects, cards, coins, ropes, etc. Blackstone also gives insight into the “showmanship” side of performing magic — how illusion works in terms of audience perception, timing, and misdirection, alongside more mechanical or technical details. Later editions sometimes combine this book with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"770\" data-end=\"790\"\u003eModern Card Tricks\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which adds more detailed material specifically about uses of playing cards and more advanced card sleights. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eHarry Blackstone Sr., born Henry Boughton in 1885 in Chicago, was one of America’s most celebrated stage magicians and illusionists. He gained his start early (performing magic as a child) and eventually built up a massive stage show with ornate props, assistants, and spectacular illusions. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\" data-testid=\"webpage-citation-pill\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAmong his signature illusions were the floating light bulb, the vanishing birdcage, and the dancing handkerchief. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\" data-testid=\"webpage-citation-pill\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eHe performed widely — in theaters across the U.S., for troops (during WWII via USO), on television in his later years, and in clubs and fairs earlier on. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\" data-testid=\"webpage-citation-pill\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eHis influence extended beyond his own shows: he built many of his own props (with the help of his brother Pete), and his performances helped set a standard for large illusion shows.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMustard yellow cloth binding with black lettering and design with skeleton and bats. Images and diagrams throughout. Slight fraying to head and foot of spine. Bumped corners. Fine condition. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Moons Rare Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46759587610790,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0173\/6563\/1040\/files\/818C0C06-4BDB-4927-B248-34EEBBB7B4EA.jpg?v=1760739460","url":"https:\/\/moons-rare-books.myshopify.com\/products\/blackstone-s-secrets-of-magic","provider":"Moons Rare Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}