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I Cast No Shadow New user 71 Posts |
I'm sure that everyone on this board has at least heard the name Jean Hugard, but I'd also be willing to bet that almost all of us have at least one of his books. It is interesting then that biographical info on him seems extremely scarce. What gives? I have only even seen 2 pictures of him! One picture was in Steinmeyer's "Complete Jarret" (awesome book, btw) and the other was a drawing on an old poster I found on the net. What the hell? Anyone here have any info on him at all? Any pictures? Info about his stage show? Anything? It just seems really strange to me that someone that has had such a profound impact on magic has no bio info available. Erdnase wrote one thin little book about cards, and we can't stop talking and speculating about him. Hugard's "Expert Card Technique" (among others) is just as important a book and yet there is no info on him. What gives? I for one would like to know more about him. Can anyone help with this?
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 5:20pm Oh yeah one more thing... I did see a book on Amazon.com at http://tinyurl.com/42qrt by James B. Alfredson called "Jean Hugard". However, I can't really see myself spending $60 for a book with no reviews, no info/details as to its contents, etc. The title naturally suggests it is about Hugard, but other than that its contents are a mystery. Anyone know about this book as well?
"It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious" - Murphy's Corollary
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turkautomaton New user Brian McCullagh 2 Posts |
Hi,
The Jim Alfredson book is absolutely terrific. It deals with Hugard's early years in Australkia and then goes into detail about his years in the States. Sixty bucks? Worth $150 if you can get it. ANYTHING Hugard wrote is in the book! Posted: Aug 26, 2004 10:00pm I forgot. Jim Alfredson is the president of the Magic Collectors' Association and is well known for his VERY CAREFUL approach to the recording of magic history. |
Craig Matsuoka Loyal user Kailua, Hawaii 271 Posts |
Jean Hugard (1871-1959) was born John Gerard Rodney Boyce in Australia. He lived and performed there until he moved to the U.S.A. in 1916.
Alfredson's 1997 book is Hugard's most recent and exhaustive biography. It's a 72 page hardbound with 14 illustrations. It exposes many details about his personal and professional life that you might not have been aware of. To most of us Hugard is just a faceless revered name in magic, but the book is no hagiography. It reveals that Hugard was a real person with real problems like everyone else. The book received favorable reviews by Jamy Ian Swiss and Michael Close (Genii, 7/97; MAGIC, 7/97). Don't pay $60 for it. Various dealers still have the book at the original list price of $20. Prior to Alfredson's book, the 1945 "Jean Hugard Testimonial" program (reprinted in one of the Hugard's Magic Monthly bound volumes) was the best source for biographical material. |
I Cast No Shadow New user 71 Posts |
Wow, thanks for the info guys! I'll definitely try to find it at another magic dealer if possible. I would so much enjoy knowing more about him!
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 11:23pm Oh yeah I almost forgot, do you have any idea which dealer might carry this book in the $20 range? Can't seem to find one myself. Thanks!
"It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious" - Murphy's Corollary
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sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
The Hugard book is listed for $20 on the Barnes & Noble website. See http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksea......mp;itm=8.
I cut my teeth on Hugard's "Modern Magic Manual," as I'm sure many others did. Incidentally, that book has been reprinted and is now available from Dover Books. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Born in Oz moved to U.S.? Well, there's an eye-opener for the start. I'd never looked into his bio and had always assumed him to be some clever French guy..am I the only one?
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I Cast No Shadow New user 71 Posts |
I knew he wasn't French, but I didn't realize he was from Australia. Anyone know what inspired him to take the name Jean Hugard?
"It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious" - Murphy's Corollary
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Clay Shevlin Elite user 497 Posts |
I will post a minnor quibble with my friend Craig Matsuoka's comment that Alfredson's book on Hugard is an exhaustive biography (and, I believe Jim Alfredson would be the first to say so). IMHO, it is not, but it is well worth purchasing nonetheless.
NEW copies can be had directly from the publisher for $25.00 postpaid. Don't trust Barnes and Noble if you want a truly new copy. Send your money to: Meyerbooks P. O. Box 427 Glenwood, IL 60425 |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
Hmmmmm --- I stopped ordering from Barnes & Noble a while ago because the Amazon website was better organized and usually cheaper, too.
But now, Clay has possibly given me another reason not to patronize B&N. I know B&N sells used books (usually at much higher prices that can be obtained on ABE or elsewhere). But I didn't know they were selling used books as new books! Clay, what's the full story here? SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Clay Shevlin Elite user 497 Posts |
I replied to your PM, Seth. I'm not claiming that B&N sells used books as new books, only that there is a chance that you could get a "new" copy which has been handled roughly or handled by looky-loos at the local store. Besides, when we can, I believe we should support magic publishers like Meyerbooks, instead of the giants like Barnes and Noble.
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sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
OK, I see your point. Sometimes in bookstores, I have to pick among the available books for the least scuffed-up copy.
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Chris Inner circle lybrary.com 1177 Posts |
Hugard's Magic Monthly, which has some biographical info on Hugard as well as a huge amount of great effects by many legendary magicians is now available in electronic form. Got to http://www.lybrary.com/books/hmm.html to find out more.
Lybrary.com preserving magic one book at a time.
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