Abbott Magic Co.

Founded by Percy Abbott and Recil Bordner during the Great Depression, Abbott's Magic in Colon Michigan has been authoring magic books since 1934. Since then it has published several hundred books by various authors including - when anonymous or compiled - Abbotts Magic. Abbott's published two monthly magazines (Tops and New Tops) which ran essentially from 1936 till 1994 with a 5 year gap between the end of Tops and the beginning of New Tops.

Perhaps its most important book was printed for soldiers during WWII. These small books (which were designed to fit in a soldiers pocket) were so important to moral that the United States saw fit to give Abbotts an "essential business" ranking which allowed them to get rationed material so that they could continue printing the books for the war effort.

In 1941 Abbott's released its "Encyclopedia of Rope Magic" which is still considered the standard when referring to rope tricks. Compilation of the book took a long time and Stewart James did a great job of it. Each effect was fully illustrated with drawings by Abbott legends Sid Lorraine and Howard Melson who made each drawing of each move very carefully portrayed.

In 1947, Abbott’s published Ormond McGill’s “Encyclopedia of Hypnotism”. The book was considered the most important book on hypnotism in the 20th century and helped Ormond McGill establish himself as the "Dean of Hypnotism".

Percy Abbott, who had partnered with Recil Bordner in 1934, sold his half of the store to Recil in 1959. Percy passed away in 1960. Abbott's released his book "A Lifetime In Magic" posthumously in 1961.

Hundreds of books later Abbotts in the 21st century and is continuing its tradition of selling quality magic books, both at its brick and mortar store and also on Amazon. Many of the books of the past can be found in Abbott's compilations of today. For example, "A Lifetime in Magic" can be found in the "Magic Collection Volume 1, The Percy Abbott Years".

Encyclopedia of Rope Magic can be found in the "Abbott Magic Collection Volume 13, Rope Magic".

Excerpts from "Encyclopedia of Hypnotism" can be found in Abbott's "Dark Energy" book and "Target: Midnight" book.

The story of Abbott's war effort can be found - in poetry no less - in the Abbott book "One Magical Christmas".

Some of Abbott books were inspired by its annual convention, the Abbott Magic Get Together. In 2017 Abbott's had a side show appear as a bonus to the Get Together audience and a book was created about the history of Abbotts and the sideshow. It was appropriately named "Abbotts Magic and the American Sideshow" and has become one of the most recognized sideshow books ever written.

In 2022 Abbotts had a spook show appear for a Friday evening show and that inspired Abbott's "Target: Midnight" book which is also becoming one of the most recognized books on magic spook shows of the past. Both the sideshow book and spook show book included plans for the magic that Abbott's made during those eras to support the side show and spook show industries.

Perhaps Abbott's greatest contribution to magic can be found in its 18 volume "Abbott Magic Collection" series which compiles and organizes decades of magic from Abbott's long history. Everything from paper magic to large illusions can be found in this wonderful series of magic books.

Abbott's latest endeavor is the "Capitol Card Magic" volumes 1&2 released in 2025 and Karrell Fox "Foxtales" released in 2026.

We hope you enjoy our collection of books and magic.