Having just finished "The Glorious Deception: The Double Life of William Robinson, aka Chung Ling Soo, the "Marvelous Chinese Conjurer" by Jim Steinmeyer, I was wondering if anyone could recommend their favorite biographies of magicians. I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you,

Paul

Milbourne Christopher's Houdini, the Illustrated Story is an excellent source for info on the great magician. Probably one of the most comprehensive I've ever read.

Hi Paul,

Any one of Mike Caveney’s books in his magic profile series. A number are still available from him. If you are unfamiliar with any, or would like a list of them, let me know, I have them all. I have been a reader/collector of Mr. Caveney’s publications since 1980. The first magic pro-file title appeared in 1986 however. His Carter, Servais Le Roy and Kellar books are probably my favorites. All three books are extremely detailed. The last two are still available, unbelievably. His Carter book is somewhat hard to locate, and usually very pricey when you find one.

My favorite read in recent years was Edwin Dawes book, “Stanley Collins: Conjurer, Collector, and Iconoclast” published by Richard Kaufman. If you’re a book collector and history buff, you’ll love it! Mr. Collin’s was a very opinionated guy and his quotes about other magicians of his time are very entertaining to say the least.

There are countless more from other publishers about magicians such as The Great Raymond, The Great Lafayette, Alexander, Calvert, Dante, Murray, Laurant, Tampa (a plug for my friend Gary) and on and on.

Happy reading, Mark

http://www.mcmagicwords.com/

http://geniimagazine.com/kaufman/store/html/4.html

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Efantastikm/......ucts.htm

http://www.mysticlightpress.com/index.php?page_id=14

David Bamberg's "Illusion Show" is up there.

Don't forget to read Robert-Houdin's biography, the cheapest edition of which is the Dover edition.

I really enjoyed "Blackstone: A Magician's Life", the biography of Harry Blackstone, Sr., by Daniel Waldron.

It's available from many magic shops and also from Amazon, click HERE for more info. SETH

I have long wanted to read Uncle Harry's biography, just never managed to come across a copy. May look into finding one. thanks for the references sethb

I find it a pet peeve that part of the title of the book
"marvelous chinese conjurer"

I might tell him that in may when I see him.

That was the way William Robinson billed himself on many of his posters.

http://static.flickr.com/32/56380839_0c2dba7b39.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/28/56380999_83b68571eb.jpg

http://content.answers.com/main/content/......ster.jpg

Your issues should be with the late Mr. Robinson and not with Jim Steinmeyer.

I've never seen those posters where it had that saying.
hmmm.

well, I still have issues with it.
but its all good.

thanks bill.

I do understand your concern. You know that. I just don't want you to be PO'ed at the wrong guy!

No, I'm not like that.


I'm working on a new piece that is CLS on
some new mediums. I looked at several posters
before choosing the one.

But it doesn't have that tagline on there.
That is why I was surprised.


Learn something new everyday!

:)

Francis when are you going to write a bio of ur dad and his career, nobody could do it better, and I and I'm sure a lot of others would love to read it.

I'm no writer photius.
I'd like to do a sit down interview with my p's
on video...that'd be fun!

Hey great idea , Francis, I'd love to watch the interview.