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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
If this needs to be moved, Admins, please do. I didn't know exactly where this post would fit.
Digital technology has done more for magic than well produced DVDs. Now, for practically a song, we can purchase complete runs of the greatest magic periodicals for a fraction of the cost of a complete hard copy run - IF they can even be found. Don't get me wrong, I PREFER paper over digital reproduction, but, given the choice of either trying to track these down and not being successful, or getting them in pdf format, I definitely get the pdf versions. I am writing this because I see little discussion of these fantastic products on here, and yet, these journals have been the genesis of MANY of the effects that have become classics and workers. Folks, take a moment and consider some of these titles! The Sphinx The Tops The New Tops The Gen The Magic Wand The Wizard Pabular Magigram Hugard's Magic Monthly Pentagram SpellBinder ... and MANY MANY more! Ok, just ONE example: in the UK journal The Magic Wand, there is a great series by the great Eddie Joseph on the Three Shell Game. Joseph tips it all about this great old swindle/effect over a number of issues and if it were reproduced on its own with sexy line drawings, a new font, and a sharp four colour glossy jacket, it would EASILY sell for 40.00 USD on its own! Hmmm... Sorry, can't resist: The New Tops. THIS journal is referenced so often in books and in OTHER journals that you KNOW it is IMPORTANT. Gems you want? Ok! Volumes of M.I.N.T. cost MORE than this whole collection. In addition, you get the monthly column by the late lamented Nick Trost and SOOOOO much more. Café member John Neely and I have talked about these digital reproductions for awhile now in private messages and we both have posted about them on the boards as well. So, are you buying them? If not, why not? I am curious. Ahimsa, Vlad PS: The titles I listed and MANY more are available from different sources, so this is not a plug for any single seller. Chris Wasshuber, Martin Breese, and Todd Karr and others offer these treasures. Check out their sites and discover the great magic you are missing |
todsky Inner circle www.magicstore.ca 2354 Posts |
There's just something about reading it in a book.
Todsky's Magic Shop: over 15,000 tricks, books, DVD s and Card decks. www.magicstore.ca
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Leo Reynolds Jr Special user 864 Posts |
I have been looking at these two CD's Tops and New Tops for sometime now.Wish there was a sample pdf or screen shot to see what they looked like.
They seem like a great bargain. |
Turk Inner circle Portland, OR 3546 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-10-07 15:31, todsky wrote: I agree. I have a few sets of magic books on CD but, I find myself nodding off, getting "hynotized" or getting distracted when I try to read them on-screen. And, off-screen..printed out? Sorry, I can't afford the cost of the paper and the "inelegantness" of reading what then passes as a less than perfect "bound" book. That said, if I become seriously interested in a particular .pdf book, I will print it up and then mark it up like he** wouldn't have it. Or, if I'm trying to research a certain type of effect, I do find it convenient to be able to "cut and paste" similar items from different .pdf books and then bind up such compilations. And finally, if they are the only way to read some of these materials, and especialy for historical reference purposes, I try to suck it up, take a deep breath and dig in....for awhile.
Magic is a vanishing Art.
This must not be Kansas anymore, Toto. Eschew obfuscation. |
Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
While I certainly prefer print over other media, and have either original or bound editions of many (Jinx, New Jinx, Phoenix, Conjurers' Monthly, Mahatma, Invocation, New Invocation, Apocalyse, MAGICK, etc., etc.) the CD/DVD compilations and other resources like The Conjuring Arts Research Center's Ask Alexander and Marco's Learned Pig Project are extremely useful for major research projects such as my work on forcing books and book tests because they give me the ability to search for specific subjects or references much quicker and easier than culling through tables of contents and indices (which are often either lacking altogether or incomplete) or, worse yet, paging through volumes to find data.
Just one example: Potter's Master Index of Magic In Print (which, along with the supplement, covers the period through 1971) lists book tests and similar effects by author, title and publication in which it appeared (i.e., Bat No. 15, March 1945). If I don't have the actual publication itself, but have the CD compilation, I can quickly find the information I'm looking for. So for someone like me who is engaged in a major research project, such compilations and other sources I've mentioned are invaluable.
Dick Christian
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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
I guess the point is YES, I too prefer hardcopy print over pdf reproduction. However, getting many of these would be almost impossible in hard copy. In fact, as a musician I have a much better chance of playing on Paul McCartney's next CD than I would have getting a complete run hard copy of the Sphinx or Genii for example. And like a few that HAVE posted here, I have MANY of these great periodicals in hard copy and I love them.
Someone did not get the point and thought I was talking about magic books, i.e. MONOGRAPHS. No no no. Periodicals is what I mean. And it STILL surprises me that these great packages are being largely ignored or at least not discussed much here. A pity really. Many of you are really REALLY missing out. I JUST received Magigram today and I am spellbound. I always knew this was one of the great UK periodicals but, never had the chance to see more than a few issues that friends of mine were able to snag on eBay. I suppose on the other hand, I should be happy. I am privy to great magic that few will ever perform and so I need not worry about what is "new" because the chances are VERY good I already have it. Leo, send me a PM: they look GREAT. Ahimsa, Vlad |
Chris Inner circle lybrary.com 1177 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-10-07 16:54, Leo Reynolds Jr wrote: Leo, I don't offer Tops but for the many other digital magazines that I do offer (Sphinx, Jinx, Mahatma, Hugards, Magic Wand, Stanyon's, Magigram, Pentagram, Gen, Pabular, ...) I do show on my website several pages in a flip book animation. For example, if you wanted to know how the first issue of the Sphinx looks like simply go to http://www.lybrary.com/sphinx-volume-p-383.html and watch the pages turn (make sure your cursor is not on the cover image - that pauses the animation). I have to second Vlad's opinion. The biggest bargain in magic are these digital magic magazines. In terms of contents per dollar they are unbeatable. Yes, they do require a bit more work to find the gems because not everything is being spoon fed to you, not everything is neatly organized and grouped, but an incredible amount of information is contained for those that seek it out. I have spent many rainy weekends reading through the Sphinx. And recently I have been reading the Jinx. What a great mixture of knowledge, stories, history and pure fun and enjoyment. Think about it, how often have you dropped $15 for the latest and 'greatest' new trick, ebook, gimmick, whatever. It gives you a thrill for a few minutes and then it lands in the drawer (physical or digital). For the same $15 you can now download the entire Jinx (almost 900 pages plus a new index http://www.lybrary.com/the-jinx-p-29013.html ). And I guarantee that inside you will find so much more enjoyment and value no hot hyped new effect can provide. I also wanted to point out that for those who research - the scholars - I offer a completely free full text magic search engine called The Magic Knowledge Base. The only two requirements are that you have an account at the Lybrary and are subscribed to my magic newsletter. This is my way to filter out the mere curious. The Magic Knowledge base has hundreds of thousands of pages indexed and you can search in all of them and get text as well as image results back. A free and comprehensive search engine. And the best part of it is that it is continuously growing - new pages are being added and indexed on a daily basis.
Lybrary.com preserving magic one book at a time.
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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
No folks this is not a conspiracy. I recently bought Magigram from Chris, and I was one of the first purchasers of the Sphinx in 2002. I will reiterate what I said before: check out what Chris, Todd Karr, Martin Breese, and others have to offer. And if you are really worried, Chris offers Magigram in individual year runs for 3.00USD a pop. So, you have two choices: you get can a peek at volume 1 issue 1 of Magigram for instance on his site. You can also plunk down a mere 3.00USD and pick up just one year... that it in itself averages to 900 pages. It will give you a chance to review the magazine, and more importantly, check out the quality of the scans. I assure you that all of the products I have bought in pdf form from the above mentioned gentlemen are of EXCELLENT quality. And another real benefit is that these gems will never wither from acidification through age and exposure to light. If you have ever wondered why the best academic libraries have timers on lights in the stacks it is because light exposure over time speeds acidification decomposure. (I used to run Penn State's map collection, one of the largest in the US so I had to learn these archival bits of arcana).
The Magic Knowledge base is a real treat to use. Many of us use Denis Behr's excellent archive and Chris's database pretty much completes the picture. So, whether you are doing research for a book, article, or you are looking for a reference you read somewhere else in the literature, you have yet another phenomenal resource at your disposal. And remember, just like Denis Behr's excellent archive, Chris's is free also. Let's face it folks, the sheer amount of text ever written in out art is beyond staggering. But, with these archives AND the reproductions of the greatest of the art's periodicals, we are FAR more fortunate than we were even ten short years ago. Now, if only SOMEONE would do an index of The Magic Wand! This beast is ALMOST as large as The Sphinx, but alas, no index. Oh well, treasure hunting is fun Finally, Chris is right about perusing these on a rainy - or I daresay even sunny - day. What is MOST fun is popping on of these in - especially monsters like the Magic Wand that have no index, and just dive in. And not just hunt for effects either. Yes, many wonderful books have been written and continue to be penned by the likes of authors such as Mike Caveney, the late Milbourne Christopher, and others. However, BOOKS on the history draw upon primary sources whereas the magazines ARE the primary sources. You are reading and learning the history of the art AS IT HAPPENED. Ok I am a geek, but it is great fun to read Dr. Wilson's sometimes vicious snipes in The Sphinx, or reading the account of the now legendary story of Blackstone Sr. and the fire. Even the ADS are a blast to read and in fact provide fodder for creating or recreating many of these so called old effects. In fact, *grinning*, certain manufacturers do just that, and SELL these effects as "new" and make a tidy little profit. These are TRULY a bargain at even TWICE the price each seller is asking. Unless you are Jon Gregit, Byron Walker, George Daily, David Copperfield, or whomever has more money and books than God, these are truly a Godsend (or Goddess send for the Wiccans or name your Deity here ) Yes, yes, yes, I DO prefer paper. There is something wonderfully organic about holding a book or magazine that digital reproduction will never be able to substitute. But, again, the REALITY is this: if you wait for paper copy of complete runs of these journals you face two significant difficulties: 1. Availability and condition and 2. PRICE. A quick example? I am also a musician - a keyboard player and vocalist. A complete print run of the Sphinx in paper copy costs TWICE as much as the most powerful synthesizer workstation on the market today, the Kurzweil PC3/PC3X. Bear in mind that pro level keyboards are a MAJOR investment, but, the serious musician needs that power. But, the fact that the price of The Sphinx in digital form, readily accessible, no degradation, and easily indexed and searchable at a mere FRACTION of the cost of even these music powerhouses that The Beatles would have KILLED for is simply a no-brainer. The same argument applies to the serious practitioner of magic: Just ten short years ago, these gems were ONLY available to a very few and the resale value continues to skyrocket. You can lament the media being used and stay away, or you can realise that invaluable treasures are practically BEGGING to be performed more truly mere pennies per effect. I know, I know, I go on these diatribes. Can't help it though. Print compilations such as Apocalypse and digital such as The Sphinx are to me EQUALLY important components in my never ending education in this great art of ours. I do not apologise for my passion on this. In fact, I think we NEED more passion about things these days when all seems so hopeless. So come on, 3.00USD is NOT a gamble for just ONE year - 900+ pages of magic to check out. The DVD itself with the whole run of Magigram for example is only 70.00 plus shipping. Many of us spend more than that on packs of cards even, although many of us have CRATES of them already Chris: If you are reading this, are there ANY plans to do the UK weekly journal ABRA? What a boon THAT would be!! Ok, thus endeth the lesson. Ahimsa, Vlad |
Chris Inner circle lybrary.com 1177 Posts |
Vlad, concerning Abra I tried, but I could not come to an agreement. And it is not even a matter of price or the kind of deal, the copyright owner does not want a digital version at this point in time.
I think eventually it is going to happen. Pretty much everything will eventually be available electronically. And wherever I can I am happy to help be it simply as consultant or as the one who is actually doing it. Now after a few hundred thousand pages digitized I think I know how to do it well
Lybrary.com preserving magic one book at a time.
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