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palya 0 Posts |
Hi,
My son is into magic - big time - he has asked that I get a levitation book by Jay Sankey (airtight?) and a book by Paul Osbourne on levitation. Are you able to assist me with what may be best suited & where to buy these books given his age etc. |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
The Jay Sankey effect called Airtight is not a levitation, but an effect with a deck of cards and a balloon. If your son has seen it advertised and is certain that's what he wants, at $10, it won't hurt to give it to him.
The Paul Osbourne book on levitation might be a little beyond him right now... not his beyond his reading level, but beyond his ability to do anything with the information. I have enjoyed a history of the levitation illusion written up in comic book form: "Levitation: Physics and Psychology in the Service of Deception" by Jim Ottaviani and Janine Johnston. G.T. Labs, $12.95 ( http://www.gt-labs.com ). It will satisfy his curiosity, but he won't head out to the garage to try to build one for a few years. It will also give him a lot of historical and scientific background on this type of illusion.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
Levitations, if you are talking stage levitations is a very expensive thing to do and equipment requires considerable building skill to build yourself, or you will find it very expensive to buy it professionally built. The cheapest forms of levitation are suspension, such as super X, and even these aren't cheap. Not something a 10 year old really needs to get into. If he is just wanting to learn how some levitations are done Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic covers the suspension type, Mark has a three volume video set about illusions, of which I believe one volume is dedicated to levitations. Mark's book is a wholloping 20 bucks plus postage most anywhere, including from Mark who will be happy to autograph it for you, and has a lot of magic in it that a 10 year old can build and do. http://www.markwilsonmagic.com
Osbourne is way over the level of a 10 year old. All he will be able to do is dream for a long time, unless you are independently wealthy and can afford to spend that much money on your kid's magic act. As noted above the Sankey trick is a card trick and not very expensive.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
If you really want to give him the most for your money, get Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic. To this day one of the best, most comprehensive books on all things magic. You could make a career out of material from this book and nothing more. It is available most places for under $20.
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Hansel Inner circle Puerto Rico 2492 Posts |
I agree with the guys,Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic is the best option.In the future if the child come serious to the Art: Tarbell Course in Magic is the Encyclopedia if every performer need to have in his library..
Thanks, Hansel!
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Lester Regular user Scotland. U.K 193 Posts |
I would just like to add my 2ps worth here, for what it's worth, and say that I cannot agree more with everything that has been said regarding the Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic. It will, I'm sure, give your son a thorough grounding in the principles of magic as well as giving instructions as to how to construct effects it will tell him how to build invaluable accessories for use in magic,for example, how to build a magic table. It will, at the same time save him (and yourselves) a barrow load of money in terms of not having to rely on dealer produced items! These are all very well, in their own right, when your son feels that he has a handle on what particular areas of magic appeals to him.
Magicians, as a breed, tend to a greater or lesser degree acquire lots of stuff that, had an initial appeal when reading the dealer blurb, but when the package was opened, as it were, found that it did not fit their own particular performing style etc. and so rapidly finds its way relegated to the back of the magic cupboard! Constructing your own magic from books, I feel, not only gives one a tremendous sense of satisfaction and enjoyment but also saves valuable pocket money in the process! Books are the way to go. If your son wants to get into making his own props then can I wholeheartedly recommend the Proff's site on http://www.magicnook.com. Here he will find lots of great magic that can be made for very little and will provide tremendous pleasure not only for himself but for his audiences. Everything from the making of effects to constructing your own magic table! May I send your son all good wishes for his magic. Enjoy. Lester |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
I second and third the suggestion about the Mark Wilson course, it would be perfect for a young child.
Another suggestion would be "Learn Magic," by Henry Hay. It's available in paperback from Amazon for $10 and would be appropriate for him. Click HERE for more information. Finally, I recall there was a simple, easy and SAFE levitation explained in a old children's book called "Spooky Magic" by Larry Kettlekamp, published by William Morrow in 1955. If your son can round up a spare set of sneakers, a bedsheet and some 2 x 4's, he can do a levi that will amaze his friends and possibly stump some amateur magicians as well. The book may be available at a public library and is available through the Advanced Book Exchange, a web of used book dealers, at http://www.abe.com. I just ran a search and ABE has 7 inexpensive copies available, click HERE to view. The method may also be described in other available magic books, perhaps others on the Café' can point you to another reference. Another way to satisfy your child's passion for floating things would be to investigate "thread work." You can take a look at the Michael Ammar DVD set, "Easy to Master Thread Miracles," click HERE to view. However, thread work requires a fair amount of patience and a very delicate touch, so you will need to be the judge of whether this would be helpful or frustrating for him. Good luck to you and your son, and happy magishing! Magic is a very interesting hobby; in addition to being lots of fun, the skills he will learn (such as presentation, public speaking, organization, practice) will serve him in good stead later in life. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Don Sautter New user Arizona 58 Posts |
I give another vote for Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic - I have a 12 year old son and this book has been very good for him. Because of the breadth of information he has been able to identify areas that are more interesting to him.
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Yep...for young or old, you can't beat the Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic book. Heck, I've got two of them!
Mark. |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
At 11 years old, he's just exploring things and may not yet know what he wants to do - not only what type of magic, but whether magic or football or computer programming!
Also, at 11, he may not be into a lot of reading and figuring stuff out. He probably *is* into _doing_, though. Hand him a book and tell him to figure it all out, and he may decide magic is worthless, because it's just another book. For this reason, I like to recommend the Klutz Book of Magic. It's usually at most big-box bookstores (Hastings, Barnes and Noble, etc). It's written at a kid's level, but not childish, and it comes with props so he can almost immediately accomplish magic. If he still seems interested after a week, go to the library and check out the magic selection (793.8). If his eyes light up and he likes what's in them, then go for the Mark Wilson book so he has it at home to keep. Just my .2 cents. Ed |
Ivan Kiddlars New user 18 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-13 11:44, sethb wrote: I had that book as a child and it has been lost from my collection for years... Thanks for reminding me of it and letting me know how to pick up a copy for nostalgia's sake! |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
Well, I had that book as a child also, and in fact I still have it. Glad to have triggered a memory, anyway.
FYI, there was also a companion book called "Magic Made Easy," written by the same author and published by Morrow in 1954. My guess is that it's also available from one of the participating used book dealers on ABE. Happy Hunting! SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Obviously Regular user 186 Posts |
Presto! Magic for the Beginner by George Schindler is very age appropriate.
I believe he is the current president of the Society of American Magicians. |
Hansel Inner circle Puerto Rico 2492 Posts |
George is a GREAT MAGICIAN!and is the current DEAN of the S.A.M and Past National President,i recommend his dvd "Entertainment First" not for begginers but is a Great source in magic!
Thanks, Hansel!
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KidMagic Regular user Bradford 183 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-12 23:56, BrianMillerMagic wrote: Completely agree a great place to start! Zach |
Eric Simmatis Regular user 118 Posts |
Complete course! The best begginers book ever!
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