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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Duaneberry,
I agree in terms of your assertion that there are GREAT 5.00 USD booklets that are must haves. Some of the best magic I have ever learned came from these small booklets. But I am curious as to how the booklet Michael mentions is more complete in terms of a complete magic course. In his words, "it is as good a master class in magic as I know of." Perhaps it IS a wonderful book, but I would offer that the fact that it is "cheap" and "available" are not compelling arguments in terms of it being a master class. While there are some magicians that argue that Greater Magic is over rated and that Tarbell is irrelevant, I have not found a compelling argument stating why. As far as cheap and available, I would add that the original Stars of Magic - arguably one of the greatest bargains in close up magic comes close to the status of master course although there are no explicit articles on theory. Ahimsa, Vlad |
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Woland Special user 680 Posts |
I spent many hours in my late childhood reading and re-reading "Greater Magic," that I repeatedly checked out of my local public library. I would be delighted to find a reprint available.
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Michael Landes New user 76 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-04 14:35, Vlad_77 wrote: Hi Vlad, If you will re-read my short recommendation you will find that I don't place the Alkazar book above or below anything, I simply recommend it. the other two books are icons, while the Alkazar book is relatively unknown so I thought I mention it. Nonetheless, you will also note that I recommend it as among other things, cheap, which Greater Magic and Tarbell are not. Even used copies of those are quite expensice, while Alkazar is a couple of bucks. I will say this with regards to comparisons of the three however: apples oranges and pears. The three of them are so different as to not be comparable in any meaningful way. I do hold the Alkazar dearer to my heart than the other two, but that is a personal matter and hardly even worth noting. I'm glad I own and have studied all three. I'm mentioned my caveats to Greater Magic already. As to Tarbell, it's greatest virtue is also it's greatest weakness, it's size. It's not a book to read so much as an invaluable reference encyclopedia. It's easy to find people who've owned the lot for decades without reading a quarter of it, and why should they? One of the great virtues of Alkazar is it's extreme brevity. Anyone who starts it will read it through. Anyone serious who starts it will actually work it through like a course and that's exactly what it is, a short course in how to do good magic. And anyone who does will come out a better magician. Pretty good. ' |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
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On 2011-09-29 14:15, Magic-Daniel wrote: Those better or more streamlined handling would not be available without the book being published, now would they. Old books are exciting to some as it give a 'foundation' to create magic, whither it be considered new and improved or not. You can stop looking for books on theory, as there is not much published on theory as they do not sell. Tommy Wonder came the closest in his books. Practical application is better then theory when it comes to magic. |
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Rennie Inner circle I think I have about 1826 Posts |
My two cents, Greater Magic and Tarbell are a must have if you are at all into magic. Enough said!!
Rennie
The effect is the important thing, how you achieve it is not.......
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Mike Ince Inner circle 2041 Posts |
I understand that an item is worth what you're willing to pay for it, but what's a fair purchase price for the fancy Kaufman and Greenberg edition? I see it currently sells on Amazon for almost $500.
The secret of deception is in making the truth seem ridiculous.
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duanebarry Special user 883 Posts |
Probably $250 - $350.
It regularly sold for $400 a few years ago, but I don't think it ever reached $500. |
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Mike Ince Inner circle 2041 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-09-18 08:58, duanebarry wrote: Thanks, Duane.
The secret of deception is in making the truth seem ridiculous.
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Mr Timothy Gray Veteran user Rue d'Auseil 364 Posts |
So, what's the legal issue with 'Greater Magic' and why did it take a miracle for Kaufman to have it published?
Yr. Obdt. Svt.,
Mr Timothy Gray Specializing in the Occult Arts of Fortune Telling, Magic & Mediumship; Est. 1986 |
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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-04-06 18:30, Mr Timothy Gray wrote: That is a question that you might want to ask Mr. Kaufman directly. That said, it is my understanding - and Mr. Kaufman will certainly correct me if I am mistaken - the publisher of Greater Magic,Carl Waring Jones, had specified that he did not want Greater Magic to be reprinted anymore. Better informed scholars will be able to tell you how many editions and printings of the Jones original were released. I do know from older magician friends that Greater Magic was unavailable for a very long time and that later editions were selling for rather handsome sums. When the Kaufman edition hit, it was a major event. I literally snagged the last copy a dealer in Virginia had on his shelf. The customer right before me was holding the book and I was terrified he would buy it. Man I prayed to every deity I believe in and even those I don't for him to put it on the shelf. The deities heard me. The dealer had informed me that any copies out there still on dealer's shelves were "it", i.e, that the Kaufman edition was officially - and he said forever - out of print. I was VERY lucky that this copy stayed on that dealer's shelf. I am unaware of any plans for a reprint. Yes there have been rumors, but nothing more. Interestingly, this edition has commanded higher prices in general than a Jones first edition in general. I believe that there is a demand for this landmark volume but, from what I understand, the Jones family holds the reigns. I am hopeful they will consider allowing maybe a smaller second print run. But then we get back to Mr. Kaufman and whether he would be willing to republish it. Only the Jones family and Mr. Kaufman can truly answer the question. I will reiterate that if you have a chance at snagging Greater Magic - either the Jones original or the Kaufman reprint - do what you can to get it. Though some have argued that some of the effects are "out of date" I disagree. But even if some were - to play Devil's advocate here - this book is the third largest monograph ever written in magic behind The James File and Stewart James in Print and Greater Magic is in many ways a self-contained course in magic. Rennie said it best when he stated that if you are into magic at all, Greater Magic and Tarbell are musts. I couldn't agree more and I am so fortunate to own them. Namaste, Vlad |
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rklew64 Inner circle 1265 Posts |
Hi Magic Daniel,
This Book is so overrated. I would stay clear of owning it altogether and seek out some other title more current. |
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magicfish Inner circle 7006 Posts |
???
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magicfish Inner circle 7006 Posts |
You had me goin there for a minute, rklew. Good one!
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robinr Loyal user Greater Los Angeles area 226 Posts |
I can remember Greater Magic, Royal Road to Card Magic, and Expert Card Technique were my bibles in my early years. If you add Bobo's Coin Magic, and the two Henry Hays books, you have enough sleight-of-hand to probably still make a career on. My first performance on stage (9th grade) was one of the 5 cards taken, controlled and revealed in different ways from Greater Magic. Even in these faster paced days, I think that could knock out audiences.
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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-04-07 20:00, robinr wrote: Absolutely! Paul Cummins' Fusillade and Aldo Colombini's Fireworks routine are but two of the many great examples that support your claim. To rklew, you had me going too man! I literally had to read your post three times because I thought my eyes had gone all wonky. You really musn't write such things where Magicfish and I can read them. I know that for me at least, the malicious humours excited in my body cause my galvanic belt to short out to disastrous consequences. Being a victim of various and sundry maladies as a result of my not inconsiderable travels across the globe as an accomplished anthroplogist has made my constitution delicate and my chirurgeon has cautioned me that the excitation of these malicious homours could spell my demise. Oh, but I do have to say that I recall so very vividly those wild nights in Samoa with Margaret Mead - we called her Maggie. There was this one night when we were [ed. note: take your snake oil Vlad, Maggie never fancied you. Please also remember that Saturday next you are due for leeching.]. :) Vlad |
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Glenn Watson Special user 781 Posts |
I found a set of several volums that made up greater magic and the bobo book ina used book store. The greater magic set cost me $40.
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Mr Timothy Gray Veteran user Rue d'Auseil 364 Posts |
So, then, am I correct in thinking that GREATER MAGIC was published in a single volume edition and a multi-volume set?
Yr. Obdt. Svt.,
Mr Timothy Gray Specializing in the Occult Arts of Fortune Telling, Magic & Mediumship; Est. 1986 |
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vampiro Loyal user Atlanta 240 Posts |
Yes, Greater Magic is in two styles: single and multi-volume.
By the way, we all need to show our appreciation to Vlad. First of all, he brings an almost unprecedented love and passion to the older books and magazines. Because of his focus, I found and posted a free PDF of Downs' Modern Coin Manipulation today, under the sleight of hand section in coins. I never realized that Downs' book, from 1900, has some things that are more advanced and beyond Bobo's. So there are some treasures in old gems. Also, Vlad, you must be Vlad the vampire, since you and Margaret Mead had a thing going. How long have you been around? I am about 400, from an older competing clan of vamps. Vampiro |
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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-05-04 20:33, vampiro wrote: Thank you for the kind words Brother As you know we have allowed those mortals at White Wolf to create The Masquerade. So, at least in their reckoning which of course consists of what we "tell" them, I am of The Sabbat rather than The Camarilla. Margaret had good "taste" but Samoa was a tad too sunny. As to Greater Magic, there was also a volume published by Lee Jacob's Productions that was the card magic section of Greater Magic. I am currently 7000+ km from my books so I cannot recall the title. But, it is, word for word, the card section of Greater Magic with is roughly 500+ pages. |
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duanebarry Special user 883 Posts |
Hilliard's Card Magic, published by Carl W Jones, 1945, 586 pp.
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