Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring

Modern Magic has won its place in the history of conjuring as the very first English-language work to explain how to perform magic, rather than just exposing its secrets. This work contains more than 220 tricks and effects, many of which are still used today. All contain principles that, with slight adaption, formed the basis of numerous more modern effects, and which, with a touch of imagination, can be utilized to create new and dramatic effects.

The range of tricks covered in this book remains massive: from lessons on basic sleight-of-hand to advanced card tricks, tricks with apparatus and without, hat productions, balls, full linking rings and cups and balls routines, watches, dominoes, dice, and much more, before ending with some of the most advanced mechanical stage effects of the author's day. Along the way, the author provides detailed step-by-step instructions, backed by complete "patter" suggestions which may be used as is, or adapted to taste.

This new edition has been completely reset, hand-edited, and contains all original 318 illustrations, digitally remastered to modern standards. Also includes a new index of tricks.

Contents

Chapter I: Introduction

Chapter II: General Principles of Sleight-of-Hand applicable to Card Tricks

Chapter III: Card Tricks with Ordinary Cards, and not requiring Sleight-of-Hand

Chapter IV: Tricks involving Sleight-of-Hand or the Use of Specially Prepared Cards

Chapter V: Card Tricks Requiring Special Apparatus

Chapter VI: Principles of Sleight-of-hand more especially applicable to Coin Tricks

Chapter VII: Tricks with Coins without Apparatus

Chapter VIII: Tricks with Coin requiring Special Apparatus

Chapter IX: Tricks with Watches

Chapter X: Tricks with Rings

Chapter XI: Tricks with Handkerchiefs

Chapter XII: Tricks with Dominoes and Dice

Chapter XIII: The Cups and Balls

Chapter XIV: Ball Tricks Requiring Special Apparatus

Chapter XV: Hat Tricks

Chapter XVI: Miscellaneous Tricks

Chapter XVII: Stage Tricks

Chapter XVIII: Concluding Observations

Index of Tricks

Angelo John Lewis (1839 1919) was a British lawyer and amateur magician who won fame not for performing, but for writing the first English-language book that explained how to perform magic, rather than simply exposing its secrets. Using the pseudonym "Professor Louis Hoffmann," Lewis went on to author several other important books on conjuring, but his enduring legacy remains the monumental "Modern Magic."