The Magician's Own Book - Containing Ample Instructions for Performence in Legerdemain, Cups and Balls, Eggs, Hats, Handkerchiefs, &c.

Arnold, George (edited by W.H. Cremer, Jun.)

Published by John Camden Hotten, London, 1871

About this Item

No stated date c1871 (a catalogue at the end of the book lists new books for 1872). Presumed first edition thus. 326pp. (including 2 pages of advertisements and a frontispiece, 200 practical illustrations and an illustration of a wizard on the title-page, and 14-page publisher's catalogue. The author of this work is only described as being the author of "The Secret Out," "The Modern Conjuror," &c., but we believe it to be George Arnold (1834-1865), an American author and poet. His "The Magician's Own Book, or the Whole Art of Conjuring" was first published in 1962, and the present volume is an entirely new edition, edited by W.H. Cremer, Jun. of Regent Street. The spine of the book states that the book contains 999 Startling Tricks and the title-page describes the book as "Containing Ample Instructions for Recreations in Chemistry, Acoustics, Pneumatics, Legerdemain, Prestidigitation, Electricity (with and without Apparatus), Performances with Cups and Balls, Eggs, Hats, Flowers, Coin, Books, Cards, Keys, Rings, Birds, Boxes, Bottles, Handkerchiefs, Glasses, Dice, Knives, &c., &c. The book is bound in the original blue cloth covered boards with gold titling and very worn black illustrations on the spine. The case of the book is in very good condition with shelf wear and soiling and a little staining to the boards. There is a crease and a little bubbling in the cloth on the front boards and the corners are lightly bumped. The spine is darkened with wear to the titling and the illustrations on the spine are very worn and indistinct. The spine edges are rubbed and the spine ends are bumped with damage and a little loss to the cloth. The contents are tight and clean apart from some scattered small stains and marks from finger smudges, etc., mostly near the start of the book. Some of the pages protrude slightly from the fore edge of the text block with a little soiling on the fore edge. A few pages have creases across the top corner and page 275 has a 1 1/4" tear on the top edge and a 1/2" tears with surrounding creasing on the fore edge. There is no inscription.

Seller Inventory # gVIMagic01

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Magician's Own Book - Containing Ample Instructions for Performence in Legerdemain, Cups and Balls, Eggs, Hats, Handkerchiefs, &c.
• Publisher: John Camden Hotten, London
• Publication Date: 1871
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardback
• Edition: Presumed First Edition Thus
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Children's