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Seth Special user 566 Posts |
As librarian at the Magic Castle, could you recommend some of your favourite less well known card books?
There seems to be so little published these days that is creative and interesting (with the exception of penumbra =), just wondering if you could share what you feel are overlooked books. Thanks... |
Gordon Bean V.I.P. 103 Posts |
In March of this year we lost Peter Kane, a towering figure in creative card magic. One of my biggest regrets is never having had the opportunity to meet him. If you check out Kane (out of print) and the Card Session trilogy, I bet you'll feel the same way. His son Tim has a tribute website at http://www.kano.btinternet.co.uk/ where, among photos and eloquent tributes, you can buy a combined edition of the Card Session trilogy. A general tip: if you want to find the really good, hidden magic, always trace back the lineage of any effect you really like.
Wild Card, Jazz Aces, or the Elongated Lady (to name just three of Kane's seminal ideas) all come from the same wonderful place, and they have plenty of company there. |
blendobag2 New user 18 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-12-12 14:17, Gordon Bean wrote: Why didn't you just get on a plane and go visit him, then? |
Gordon Bean V.I.P. 103 Posts |
Exactly my regret. Similarly with Stewart James. With Dai Vernon it's even less comprehensible: while he was alive, I was actually in Los Angeles, but because I hadn't been in magic seriously for a long time, I refused to visit the Castle for fear that under some circumstance I would have to do a trick for him, and I knew I wouldn't be very good.
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Seth Special user 566 Posts |
Thanks for the reply Gordon...
That's a great tip about tracing the lineage. I've never thought about it that way. p.s. I feel that way about meeting most well known magicians, will probably feel that way if I ever get to meet you Mr. Bean. =) |
MField2000 Special user Hastings, East Sussex, England 590 Posts |
Earlier this year. before my move to England, I found (with some difficulty) "But Not to Play" by Wilfred Jonson. It had been highly recommended by Peter Duffie and others.
Do you know it, Gordon? Matt Field |
Seth Special user 566 Posts |
Out of curiosity Mr. Bean, does being the magic castle librarian cause you to buy more or less books?
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Gordon Bean V.I.P. 103 Posts |
The Wilfrid Jonson book on cards that I know is Card Tricks (Dover), which apart from some fine material, features some of the most evocative pictures of elegant cardicians that I know. I just checked out magicfiles.com, and a look at the table of contents of But Not to Play is most impressive indeed. Looks like the Castle library is about to get a new book. In fact, I might be, too. Thanks, Matt! (Such a double purchase is a very rare event, which should answer the question from Seth as well.)
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Eric Rose Regular user Franklin, IN 160 Posts |
But Not To Play is a wonderful little book - full of more ideas and instruction than seems possible for 116 pages. The 1946 edition by Geo. Johnson publishing looks fantastic with it's gilt type on an embossed dark red cover. I love the fact that there is no indication it is a magic book until you get into it. The title comes from a G.K. Chesterton poem "Magic":
"I have a hat but not to wear; I have a sword but not to slay, And ever in my bag I bear A pack of cards, but not to play." Jonson's "The Art of Conjuring" essay is very good and gives an argument that Robert-Houdin's definition of a magician should be revised for the twentieth century, emphasizing the acting, but summed up by Shakespeare's line "Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things." Once you get the book, be sure not to overlook "Have You Seen the Four Ace Trick?" in Part III. With one minor revision (change the referenced year 1066 to 1776 for American audiences) the trick still plays very well for audiences and always gets big laughs and a gasp at the end. Of course, Mr. Field can still use the patter with the original 1066 reference. |
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