Hello All,

I was sorting through some old boxes and cane across an old “The Magic Magazine” from 1976. The attached pictures (below) are the original ads from when Mark Wilson first introduced his course in magic. I hope that you get a kick out of them.

I remember sending in my $1.00 to receive the preview lesson and course info. About 2 weeks later an envelope arrived with all that was promised. I believe the course sold for $79.99, which I thought was a lot of money…. Most tricks and books I purchased back then were maybe $10.00 at most.

I saved the money I earned mowing lawns for the next month and sent Mark my money. I waited and waited and about 6 weeks latter a box came to the house with stars on it…Inside was the course in magic.

The course included a spiral bound book (the largest magic book I had ever seen), a red close-up pad, 2 decks of bridge sized cards (red & blue), rope, sponge cubes, genii cards and some misc. jumbo cards. Best of all, the book was autographed by Mark… Magically yours, Mark Wilson.

I still have the book (falling apart from use), the sponge cubes and those decks of cards (well worn).

The Mark Wilson Course in Magic is probably one of the best magic purchases I have ever made. I think that I have at least 5 different editions of the book.

I hope that you enjoy looking at the pictures and thanks for letting me reminisce.

Thanks,
Bruce

Also thanks to Mark Wilson!

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227......son1.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227......son2.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227......son3.jpg

Wow does that bring back memories. I love that book and learned so much from it. I also use it when I teach.

Kyle

I bought the MWCM when it became a hardback. Never got all the "Professional Props", probably a good thing as I had way too many things to keep track of as it was. I bought the book primarily as a reference when someone would mention something about it. I still have my copies of "The Magic Magazine"...good old Byron Wels!

Cheers!

Stan,
I also have all of the issues… what a difference in content and quality from the first issues to the last. Yes they were truly professional magician’s props that were included: Fox Lake brand playing cards, do you remember those?

Take care,
Bruce

Yup got mine at a grocery store in Lubbock, Texas right after they came out. Still have most of it. Just before Mark and Nani took them off their site I also bought one of the last of the video courses based on the CCIM, it also included props. I'll never forget my first Mark Wilson magic kit I got from Tiches Dept. Store in Dallas, Tx way back in the 50's. It was my real start in magic.

Bruce...WOW!!! That is soooo cool. Thanks for sharing this with me. The Mark Wilson course is a "classic." I've got 2 of the hardcover books, plus the smaller "cyclopedia" edition in paperback!

As Tony the Tiger would say..."They're great!"

Mark.

Mark,
It is my pleasure to share this; I wish others would show their mementoes, I get a kick out of magic stuff from the past. I especially like reading old magic catalogs… the misleading descriptions and the pen and ink illustrations are the best.

I thought you might like to see some other Mark Wilson items. Photo 1 shows the different editions that I have, I can’t seem to find the little one like you have. The edition in the front left of the picture, is a rare one to me. I have not come across anyone else that has one (now that I say this they will come out of the woodwork).

Photo 2 is the autograph in my original edition.

Photo 3 is an old Genii from 1976 that I found recently. Mark and Nani were kind enough to sign it for me. I think this is funny… I sent them the magazine and about 2 weeks goes by and they had not returned it. Then one afternoon I receive a call from Mark and Nani, they called to apologize for the delay. They forgot about that issue of Genii and were having fun reading it (memory lane). It was nice to speak with them, they are really nice people.

Photo 4 is an autographed picture of Mark and Nani. I had a crush on Nani when I was young.

Take care,
Bruce

Photo 1
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227......n001.jpg

Photo 2
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227......n002.jpg

Photo 3
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227......0996.jpg

Photo 4
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227......0997.jpg

My best friend had this course when I was a kid.... I was totally jealous.... But I had most of Tarbell, so I guess we were even....

You got TREASURES in your hands!

When I was a kid I used to drool over the advertisement for the course and all its included props (rope, Aviator cards and other stuff), which was in the back of a Marshall Brodien catalog.

Jared

Mr. Wilson has taken the next step in teaching magic. Hocus-Pocus is offering admittance to the Mark Wilson Magic University.

Mark has taken his instructional magic courses online. Check it out!

S. Patrick

On one of my websites http://www.catskillmagic.com/ I have a photo of my Mark Wilson binder. Check under "items of interest". As you can see, it was one of the originals personally autographed to me by Mark Wilson.Although I have long since parted with the sponge cubes etc. It is still in fantastic condition and will remain a treasure.

Arthur

Arthur.... thanks for sharing your treasures.

Bruce

If you listen to Arthur's music, you can smell the mountains and the forests. Really, you can.

dsalley13

Look what I recently acquired! A copy of a SUPER RARE original preview to the Mark Wilson Course in Magic! It is 12 pages, and I could not even find another copy online!

Click here to view attached image.

I have the Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic book and I can tell you that it is a really great volume. I often dip into it when I need a bit of technical inspiration. I heartily recommend it to anyone starting out in magic and also as a reference for those who have been 'at it' for years.

Keith Hart

I have the Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic book and I can tell you that it is a really great volume. I often dip into it when I need a bit of technical inspiration. I heartily recommend it to anyone starting out in magic and also as a reference for those who have been 'at it' for years.

Keith Hart

Been thinking about getting this book, after everyone's glowing reviews and your nostalgia I'm sold. Can't wait to start studying it.

It's a great book. The only downside for the beginner is the sheer volume of material. I got it as a very new beginner and I was quite overwhelmed. It's best considered as a reference book, where you look at the sections that interest you rather than trying to read and master it all.

I am looking to sell the original PREVIEW to the Mark Wilson Course in Magic (see pic), if interested pm me. It is for the serious collector. After extensive research I could not even find another copy online, and given the HUGE success of the book, this certainly is collectible and rare to own the preview to the most successful instructional book on magic.

Scroll up to an earlier post by me to see link to pic.