I picked up a copy of new reprint of the Burlingame book on Hofzinser. I love that this old book is back in print, though it didn't answer a question that I've had for some time: is there anything out in print that gives details on the life and magic of Carl (Compars) Herrmann? I've looked, but it seems that everything on Carl is usually written as a 'precurser' to the life of Alexander, as it is in this book as well.

I know from some discussions on the Genii forum that Carl was thought to be a great magician, but wasn't well thought of as a performer/student by Hofzinser...anyone know anything more on this?

Rick

I was wondering the same thing. I believe there was a book by James Hamilton, I think it was call "Herrmann's The Royal Family of Magic" it covered all of the Herrmanns. But it is now out of print. I really wish there was some current source for this book.
I was going to attempt to contact him, he has a website. He does a Herrmann type magic show.

Jerry

"The Magic Brothers," a book for older kids by someone named Edmonds, covers Carl's life as much as, if not more than, Alexander's life. Former library copies are sometimes available cheap from online bookshops like Abe.com. I have no capacity to judge the accuracy of the book. And of course it wasn't written as scholarship for adults.

What really frustrates me is a book will come out on Ching Ling Soo (which has to be a stretch even for magicians, but nothing on Herrmann's who should count in the top ten of time greats.
A book on the Herrmann's is the most desirable magic related history book for me right.

Jerry

There is supposed to be one in the works for many years. Sooner or later a Herrmann bio will turn up.

Does anyone know where I could find a copy of the first printing of the first edition by Burlingame?