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false_shuffle Regular user Omaha, NE 193 Posts |
Can someone please tell me if this book is still being printed? I found a copy at a local used bookstore and am trying to negotiate a price with them. Was it a limited edition book? Can anyone clarify? I know there was also the "James File", a separate set. Was any of this limited edition? I'm a bit confused. What does the majority of his work consist of ? Any mentalism? Help! Thanks.
Daniel Rasmussen
Omaha, NE |
Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
I have both works and I cannot recommend them highly enough! Stewart James in Print is OOP. The James File is ALSO OOP. Both works had a second, smaller print run and I doubt we will see a third. Publisher Stephen Minch can give you the final word on this, but ads from a few years ago stated that once these are gone, they are gone for good.
Stewart James in Print: The First Fifty Years represents exactly what the title states: the book is the compilation of all of Stewart James' works found in journals, etc., for the first fifty years of his life in the art. It is a massive book and contains classics that have spawned amazing variants to this very day. It is the second largest monograph in magic (not counting magazine compilations such as Apocalypse, etc.) The book was produced by James and P. Howard Lyons. During the work on Stewart James in Print, tons of OTHER effects were discovered. But James said that at his age he didn't want to get into the long task of doing another major work. P. Howard Lyons had died just before the publication of Stewart James in Print, and Allan Slaight and Max Maven took the helm for the largest monograph in magic thus far, the two volume The James File. All in all you will find great card magic that relies more in subtlety rather than sleights. The mentalism (or mental magic, call it what you will) in the books is mind boggling. [N.B. The James File represents mostly UNPUBLISHED work]. Stewart James was one of the TITANS in the art and his name is right there with Vernon, Marlo, Lorayne, Annemann, Hugard, Hofzinser, et. al. Some of his best creations were distilled into a 50 effect book called The Essential Stewart James. But really, the idea behind this book was to whet the appetite. Note that it is not called The BEST of Stewart James. In fact, I think that the small book is for wimps I do not know what your local bookstore is asking for the book but it is only to going to go UP in value as the years roll by. That said, its worth to the art is incalculable. The second printing of these in the mid 2000s were selling new for 150.00 USD so anything LESS than that would be a STEAL in my opinion. But be warned about a few things: The books ARE huge. I LOVE huge books as do many, but some people are intimidated by them. If you are looking for knuckle busting sleight of hand then Stewart James is not for you. A great deal - though NOT the majority - of his card magic relies on setups. If you do not like working with stacks then again you are knocking at the wrong door. IMHO though, I REALLY consider these works essential reading even if it takes 50 years for your first run through. Stewart James work with the KBP/OMM ALONE is amazing and is NOT in the smaller Essential Stewart James. But think of the classics of magic that we KNOW from him and already the mind boggles. Reading these books is a lifetime commitment but one that will bear much fruit. Simply put, The Stewart James books are a testament to one of magic's most influential creators. DON'T tell your bookstore these facts if you want to get the book on a steal. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask! I would be glad to answer as best as I can. I DO hope you decide to get Stewart James in Print and I also hope you can track down The James File as it is easier to find. Ahimsa, Vlad |
Peo Olsson Inner circle Stockholm, Sweden 3260 Posts |
Pictured to the left my hero and me during FISM 2006 in Stockholm.
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Magic-Daniel Inner circle Denmark 1328 Posts |
How "heavy" is the stack work in Steward James' work? Only a little portion or most of the deck?
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false_shuffle Regular user Omaha, NE 193 Posts |
Thanks man! what percent of the First 50 years would you say is Mentalism? Secondly, is there some stuff in here that doesn't use cards? Bookstore was asking 200, I'm pretty confident I can talk them down. What is the KBP/OMM? I'm pretty knowlegeable in magic and that abbreviationn is just not clicking! Probably something obvious I'm not thinking of. Thanks again.
Daniel Rasmussen
Omaha, NE |
bblumen Special user Baltimore 987 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-10-03 12:05, false_shuffle wrote: Kelly Bottom Placement/Ovette Master Move. Brian
"Lulling the minds of your company is more important than dazzling their eyes." Ed Marlo
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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-10-03 12:05, false_shuffle wrote: I really can't give you a percentage. But I can tell you that there is a nice amount of mentalism, as well as magic with other objects besides cards. The link you saw that Peo gave you was for The James File. I had not realized that there were still some of these left. As far as both volumes are concerned there are quite a few effects with cards that DO utilize a setup. If you do not like working with setups be warned. That being said, there are tons of great effects in both books (Stewart James in Print and The James File). What is most fascinating to me are James' METHODS. In addition, Persi Diaconis related a story in which he was visiting James and wanted to demonstrate a new card effect. He asked James for a pack of cards and James replied he had none. Diaconis was rather nonplussed and asked how James could come up with these amazing effects without having a pack of cards at hand. James replied, "I am certain that Agatha Christie never had to commit a murder to write a murder mystery." The price your bookstore is asking is actually a good price but obviously if you can talk the store down a bit then of course go for it! So to summarize: Stewart James in Print is the second largest monograph ever written in magic. It contains everything Stewart James marketed and contributed to journals, books, etc., for the first 50 years of his life in magic. It contains veritable classics like Miraskill and Further Than That which are still performed to this day. There is a KILLER gambling routine in the book called Ten Nights in a Card Room which I hear few people talk about and even fewer perform. I HAVE performed it. It is NOT a walk around piece but for those formal shows or for that client you need to impress, it is a powerful demonstration of skill with pasteboards. There is a decent amount of mentalism in the book and some of the magic - cards and otherwise - can easily be presented as magic OR mentalism. That is the reason I cannot give you a percentage my friend. Besides, the book is 1000 pages and I have not read it cover to cover - yet. I suppose it all depends on what you are looking for. James is a MASTER of the art so for me it was an essential (pardon the pun) buy. But if you are looking for a book that is comprised of primarily impromptu magic that resets instantly or you are looking for a book that is MAINLY mentalism, then perhaps Lorayne or Becker are more up your alley. IMHO it is a GREAT book but my criteria may differ from yours. Ahimsa, Vlad |
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