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philipsw Loyal user 206 Posts |
Hi there. Some time ago I was given a large collection of magic books and apparatus from a deceased magician. I have been sorting through it as time allows. Amongst the books/booklets there are a very large number which are spiral bound - and I suspect are actually (illegal) photocopies. I am planning to destroy these, but mixed amongst them are some genuine books - and also some about which I am not sure.
So here's the question. Does anyone know if Abbotts were using spiral binding on smaller books in the 40s-60s which is I think the likely age of some of these books. For example, I am looking at a copy of Eddie Joseph's 'Coin and Money Magic' which doesn't look to be a photocopy, but it is spiral bound. Any information on this would be helpful as I work through the collection. Thanks. |
philipsw Loyal user 206 Posts |
Also, were the New York Magic Symposium books ever spiral bound?
On a slightly different note, does anyone know about Card Script - which appears to be a handwritten book by Roy Walton, published by Davenports in 1973/5. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Growing up in the '40s, I don't remember ANY spiral bound books!
Most of the "short" (5-10 pages) booklets were mimeographed, stapled, on 8!/2" x 11" stock, with cardboard "covers". Ireland, Abbott. et al used mimeograph for economic reasons. Percy Abbott published his own magazine ("TOPS"). I remember the press and linotype in the basement. He did PRINT some booklets. I remember Eddie Joseph's "How To Pick Pockets". It was "saddle stitched" (stapled). I don't remember ANY photocopies in the '40s. I believe that process began in the '50s, or even later. (I remember "thermo" copies. It didn't last long. Does Joseph's "Coin and Money Magic" show who published it? Abbott's sold a loy of Eddie's stuff, but, I don't remember that one. The late Jay Marshall and/or the late Bob Lund could have told you much more.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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philipsw Loyal user 206 Posts |
THanks Dick. That's really helpful. Several hours later, having gone through both boxes (!) - I've come to the conclusion that almost all of it was photocopied and so I will be destroying it. A small number of originals were present, and some which look to have been spiral bound later in order to replace damaged spines.
One thing that did turn up was a number of old Walton booklets: Cardboard Charades, Card Script (not typeset - but in script!), Trigger, That Certain Something, Some Late Extra Card Tricks. All in fair condition for age - some notes/underlining and a couple of repaired spines, but good to read and use. Any one have any idea of the current value? |
Thomas Henry Inner circle Minnesota 1394 Posts |
Hi,
I have Joseph's _Coin and Money Magic_. It is nicely printed and saddle-stitched. The front cover, the title page and the copyright page all show the publisher as Abbott's Magic Mfg. Co. The copyright date is 1942, but I bought it around 1996. Hope that helps, Thomas Henry |
Leo H Inner circle 1333 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 4, 2015, philipsw wrote: The Symposium books were all published in hardbound volumes, and never republished in any format. Card Script was eventually included in The Complete Walton. |
philipsw Loyal user 206 Posts |
Thanks all. Very helpful. That's eliminated a couple that I was unsure about!
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Anatole Inner circle 1912 Posts |
There is a difference between a book that is "spiral bound" and a book that is "comb bound."
A comb bound copy of the Eddie Joseph _Coin and Money Magic_ book is listed now on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coin-and-Money-M......17abdd9d and the photo clearly shows that it is comb-bound.. I have known a few magicians who take a paper-bound book to a printer to have it re-bound with a comb-binding because they prefer a book that will open flat so that they can conveniently read the text while holding cards, coins, etc while reading the instructions for a trick. It devalues the collectibility of the book, of course, but the original purpose for most books was reading, not collecting. Hopefully no one would ever take a Gutenberg Bible to a printer to have it re-bound with a comb-binding... (he said facetiously). ----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez
----- Sonny Narvaez
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motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
I don't know how far back comb binding goes, but I do know Abbott's sold books done that way.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
Jerry Inner circle Some where in Florida 1402 Posts |
If it is Karl Fulves anything, please don't destroy, those had comb binding.
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