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Specializing in Houdiniana
BOOK Section - Part One
Weather In Spring, Texas
Welcome to the "BOOK Section - Part One" .
Below you'll find quite an assortment of Books to choose from.
All photos below are "Thumbnails". This means, what's showing on your screen is a smaller version of the actual photo. Click on the smaller photo and this will bring up the regular size photo -then- use your "Back Arrow" to come back to this WebSite Page.
If you've any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me:
Stephen A. Sparks (a/k/a Sparky) - P. O. Box 1345 - Spring, Texas 77383-1345 USA
281-353-1014 (Phone and/or Fax) ~ 281-827-4001 (Cell)
Or, click here to email me >>>>> Houdini374@aol.com<<<<<
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(After viewing this Books Part 1 page, please click on any of the buttons above to move to any of the other Pages)
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3152-7876) DAI VERNONs: FURTHER INNER SECRETs OF CARD MAGIC
Compiled and photographed by Lewis Ganson.
SoftBound book with 72pages.
This is the First Edition, from 1969, and published by Harry Stanley's Unique Magic Studio in London, England.
The content page was so detailed, I have reproduced it below for ease in reading.
The BONUS, of this offering, is the book is Autographed by Dai Vernon on the inside cover:
Very Best Magical
Wishes to Dave Lebofsky
Sincerely
Dai Vernon
The book measures approx. 6 1/2"x9". - $125.00
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3153-1398) THE NEW MAGICIAN'S MANUAL by Walter B. Gibson.
PaperBound with 142 pages, including the inserted sheets of cardboard "apparatus" required for certain of the tricks.
Original copyright is 1936, the edition offered here is first publication in 1975 by Dover Publications, Inc., New York. A great addition to your library, from the man who gave So Much to the magic fraternity through his writings. -
$50.00
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3154-5432) MAD MOJO
by Andrew Mayne
A book of new and strange magic for the
stage, parlor, living room, and beach- including impromptu, almost impromptu, and
impromptu looking effects and routines.
PaperBound with 93pages.
Previous owners name rubber stamped inside.
Copyright 1998 and published by the author.
The content page was so detailed, I've
reproduced it for you below, for ease in reading.
Measures approx. 8 1/2"x11" - $25.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3155-6397) THE GREAT
HOUDINI BROADCASTs by Val Andrews. Published in 1981 by Micky Hades
Publications. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. StapleBound with cloth tape spine. Houdini died Halloween night, 1926, and it
was reported his secrets had been placed in a locked box to be opened in
1976 - fifty years later. The box, of course, was never found. What if it had been? What secrets would have
been found? This two-part fictional
radio script has been prepared by the well known British writer
Val Andrews. It is based on the many events which
surrounded Houdini's life. The first part is a series of interviews with
six of Houdini's friends, giving a background and insight into the personality
of the man. The second part deals with the opening of the
box. Sit back, relax and take insight to what
people might have heard over the radio in 1926 and 1976. -
$25.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3156-4944) THE GREAT ILLUSIONISTs.
By Edwin A. Dawes. HardBound with DustJacket.
Copyright 1979 and measures 8"x10". Published by David & Charles.
Newton Abbott, London. 216 pages. As the book states:
"By the use of
splendid and often unique illustrations of prints, playbills and memorabilia,
coupled with a constantly entertaining narrative, this book traces the history
of conjuring and illusion through the lives and achievements of the finest
practitioners of the art, conjurers whose names have, in many cases, become
legend". Chapters include: In the Beginning - The Learned Animals - Bags,
Bubbles and Bottles - The Phenomena - The Conjuring Quacks - Laughing Gas -
Phantasmagoric Professors - The Jewish Connexion - Wizards From The North -
Science Et La Prestidigitation - They Also Conjured - Egypt and the Sphinx -
Maskelyne & Cooke, Royal Illusionists - The Great Gun Trick - Sounds,
Shadows and Shackles - Epilogue - References and Notes. There are over 120
prints, photos and illustrations in this book. A WEALTH of Knowledge you, the reader,
will find useful and fascinating. Not to mention the last 10 Pages are on
HOUDINI!! -
$35.00
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Remember, after viewing this
page, click any of the Buttons above, to be to taken to
one
of the Other
Nine WebPages - where you'll find
ManyMore items for sale.
Chapters include: Impromptu Magic - Table Magic - Card Magic - Oriental Magic - Mental Magic - Programs of Magic - Additional Magic.
The BONUS offering is: this book is Personally signed by Walter B. Gibson to Chet
Karkut
3097-9588) QUALITY MAGIC by Okito
This is a 1st edition of one of the finest texts in all of conjuring.
The author of these hundred pages is Theo Bamberg, whose forebears for generations were magicians. He was known professionally as Okito and he was one of the greats. This book is filled with his material.
There is a history of the Bamberg family, then Okito teaches some beautiful sleight of hand starting with simple sleights that are entirely do-able and working up to more sophisticated material that requires some work. But, most importantly, this is all material Okito used including some of his stage effects.
Everything in the book is practical and Okito was an innovator. His magic, the magic taught in the book, would work today.
The inside front cover has an ad for Will Goldston's Exclusive Magic Secrets and the inside the back cover has an ad for Houdini's Magical Rope Ties and Escapes.
Published in 1921 by Will Goldston Ltd. London.
Hard Pictorial board covers with 100pages.
Book measures approx. 5"x 7 3/8".
The content page has been reproduced, below, for ease in reading.
An early owner's BookPlate on the inside cover.
Some light rounding of the books covers and the spine is missing a small piece at the bottom. Please refer to the photos, below, for a better look.
This Was Okito's First Book!! - $85.00
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3099-5698) Assorted IRELANDs and MAGIC, Inc. YearBooks
Published by The Ireland Magic Company or Magic, Inc. (depending on year) in Chicago, Illinois.
Stapled Manuscript or CombBound.
Each measures approx. 8 1/2"x11".
$12.50/each for those up
through the year 1962
$15.00/each
for 1963/64, 1965/66, 1967/68
1936, 1938, 1942, 1943, 1944
1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950
1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1959
1960, 1961, 1962, 1963/64, 1965/66, 1967/68
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3100-7458) A CONJURING MÉLANGE by Stanley Collins
A collection of Tricks and Puzzles Originated by Stanley Collins, with 146 illustrations by Alba and introduction by Paul Fleming
Hardbound with DustJacket (price clipped) and 244pages.
Copyright 1947 and published by Fleming Book Company of Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.
The content pages were so detailed, I have reproduced them, below, for ease in reading.
Includes an approx. 3"x4" photo of Stanley Collins.
Book measures approx. 6"x8 1/4". -
$50.00
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REMEMBER, all photos are Thumbnails - click on the photo to bring up the LARGER photo.
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3103-3456) LECTURE MAGIC by Magic Christian
Original copyright 1983 by the author in Vienna, Austria.
PaperBound with 41pages.
The content page was so detailed, I have reproduced it below for ease in reading.
These Lecture Notes may be from 27 years ago, but the information and effects contained within are timeless and priceless.
Book measures approx. 8 1/4"x11 1/2".
The
BONUS of this offering, it's AUTOGRAPHED by the author!! - $35.00
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3089-9078) 1992 MCA Program With 15 Autographs
Program for the Twenty-Third Weekend meeting of the Magic Collectors' Association.
Held at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, Wisconsin May 7,8, 9 1992.
Guests of Honor:
Autographed by most of the magicians and magic collectors who made presentations over the weekend.
Those who autographed the program are:
SoftBound, measures approx. 7"x10" with 24pages (cover to cover) -
$75.00
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3093-5489) HOW's YOUR LIBRARY? by J.B. Findlay
With a preface and an article on Bookplates by John Mulholland....and a few words by Jay Marshall.
Copyright 1958 and published by Ireland Magic Co., Chicago, Illinois.
PaperBound with 36pages. Cover a little darker than photo below, guess my scanner lightened it up.
Content's Include:
Dedication
Preface by John Mulholland
Aids To Catalogue Reading
The Care of Books
A Few Words by Jay Marshall
Dewey Decimal System
Bookplates For Magic Collections
Assorted Bookplates of Magicians
About Mr. Findlay
About Mr. Mulholland
About Mr. Marshall
Measures approx. 5 1/2"x8 1/2" -
$35.00
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3094-1258) THE HOUDINI CODE MYSTERY by William V. Rauscher
A Spirit Secret Solved
Copyright 2000 and published by Mike Caveney's Magic Words in Pasadena, California.
This book is a very fascinating story about Harry Houdini and his wife, Beatrice Houdini.
From The Back Of The DustJacket:
In a sworn document, Beatrice Houdini testified that the message delivered to her by Arthur Ford was accurate and that Houdini had positively communicated from the grave. If you gave credence to either of these claims, prepare to have your beliefs shattered. By bringing together the opinions of those who actually knew and worked with Houdini, the author has painted a most accurate portrait of this American icon. The author's long friendship with Arthur Ford puts him in a unique position to finally reveal the truth behind one of the 20th Century's greatest mysteries: DO THE SPIRITs RETURN?
The content pages have been reproduced, below, for ease in reading.
HardBound with DustJacket and 192pages.
Book measures approx. 7 3/8"x10 3/8".
This is a
Limited Edition Book. Hand numbered inside: #231 of 1000, along with a nice portrait photo of both Harry and Bess Houdini.The
BONUS of this offering - the book is AUTOGRAPHED by the author on the title page.Book and DustJacket are new and in
MINT Condition.. - $50.00
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3075-9749) HOUDINI, Magical Hall of Fame Souvenir Books. There are assorted editions of the same book issued over the various years. None of the books are dated, so I will just describe the differences. And for those of you who didn’t know, The Houdini Hall of Fame burned several years ago. $15.00each -or - $25.00 for the pair
(a) Front Cover has an Oval insert photo of Houdini, virtually naked and chained at the neck, waist, wrists and ankles. Slightly bent over at the waist. Inside front cover shows Houdini’s BookPlate. The Back Cover shows an oval photo of the bust statue used for the Houdini grave and the address of Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls. Inside back cover shows photo of Bess Houdini and Joseph Dunninger at Houdini’s grave site. 32 pages. (b) Front Cover has an rectangular insert photo of Houdini, virtually naked and chained at the neck, waist, wrists and ankles. Slightly bent over at the waist. Inside front cover shows Houdini’s BookPlate. The Back Cover shows the "HOUDINI Magical Hall of Fame logo and the address of 5019 Centre St., Niagara Falls". Inside back cover contains a full page adv. for "Conley" with photo and selling and assortment of his magic tricks. 39 pages.The booklet contains wonderful photographs, biographical information and sections detailing his most famous magic tricks, stunts, illusions and related information on his life including:
The Beaumont Cylinder - The Flight of Kama -
The Sword Suspension - The Psycho - Sword Box - The Cremation - The Decapitation
- Blackstone's Chair Suspension - The Steel Trunk - The Houdini Handcuffs and
Locks - Houdini's Death - The Plate Glass Box - Houdini's Will - Houdini's
Strait Jacket Escapes - The Brick Wall - Houdini Jail Escapes - Thurston's Trunk
-and- dozens more !!! a)
(The photo of the museum, in flames, is not part of this offering, only the booklets.)
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2978-8552) THE MAGIC OF J.N. HOFZINSER. Compiled by Ottokar Fischer. Translated by Richard Hatch.
Published by Modern Litho, Inc., Omaha, Nebraska. Hardbound with DustJacket. Copyright 1985 with 215pages.
Table of Contents include: A portrait of Dr. Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser - Prinzhofer - Translator's Preface - A Note on the Fischer Collection - Acknowledgements - A 1939 photograph of Ottokar Fischer - In Memoriam: Ottokar Fischer - Introduction - Balls - Banknotes and Coins - Flowers - Books - Eggs - Electrical Experiments - Flags and Helmets - Liquids - Cards - Skittles - Numbers - Rings - Kerchiefs - Timepieces - Birds - Non-Magical Experiments - Tricks with Sundry Objects - Appendix - Bibliography.
While the DJ has a little soiling, This Much Sought After Book, itself, looks brand new.
And, the Bonus is the book is autographed by Richard Hatch!! - $200.00
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2976-6843) ORIENTAL CONJURING and MAGIC by Will Ayling
HardBound with DustJacket and 384pages.
Copyright 1981 and published by The Supreme Magic Company of Bideford, Devon, England.
The contents pages were so detailed, I've reproduced them for you below, for ease in reading.
Measures approx. 7 1/2"x9 3/4". Book and DustJacket are in Mint condition.
I'm not sure the book was even read. - $75.00
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2977-9876) DUNNINGER, What's On Your Mind? by Dunninger.
Published in Cleveland and New York by The World Publishing Company.
1944 First Edition from. 192pages with DustJacket. DJ missing a small portion at the top of the spine.
Contents Include:
Foreword by Joseph Dunninger - Introduction by Walter B. Gibson - What Is Telepathy? - The Challenge of the Unknown - Theories on Telepathy - Aspects of Telepathy - The Interwoven Web of Sense - Phases of Telepathy - Telepathy and the Mass Mind - Thought Transference with Individuals - Sudden Thoughts from Nowhere - Telepathy and Hypnotism - Telepathic Impressions Received in Sleep - Early Investigations of Telepathy - Advance Investigation of Telepathy - Telepathy through Contact - Conditions Needed in Telepathic Demonstrations - Telepathy Today.
THE TESTs: Lights and Shadows - Visualizing Colors - The Moving Hand - Mental Will Power - Thoughts in Action - Sensory Perceptions - Thought Identities - Mental Progression - Telepathic Elimination - Group Reception - Automatic Touch Projection - Intuitive Telepathy - Contact Thought Reading - Mental Attraction - Time on the Mind - Triple Telepathy - Thought in Rhythm - The Mind Commands - Finding the Letter - A Game of Will - Picture Perception - A Question of Squares - Distant Discovery - Developed Impressions.
Book is in pretty good condition, with some corner dings, but the inside pages are just fine. - $45.00
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2964-5218) POLISHED POLISH PRESTIDIGITATION by Johnny Thompson
Copyright 1981. First printing March 1981. This is the second printing from April 1981.
Must a have been a Very Popular Book to need a second printing in only a month!!
Published by Busby-Corin, Inc. of San Francisco, California.
The content page was so detailed, I've reproduced it below for ease in reading.
CombBound with 39pages.
A GREAT read from Las Vegas' legendary own: Johnny Thompson. - $25.00
=====
Here's another copy, but this one is
SIGNED!!
To Doug
As you can see from the photo, below, the two "o" in "Tomsoni"
have been made to look like bowling balls - Johnny's signature magic effect. -
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2965-4532) THE
LIFE & TIMEs OF THE GREAT LAFAYETTE 1872-1911 by Arthur
Setterington.
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2967-8374) MAGIC
BOOK by Milbourne Christopher Copyright 1977 and published
by Thomas Y. Crowell Company in New York City. Contents Include: Magic and Magicians -
Direction and Misdirection - Match Magic - Handkerchief Hocus-Pocus - Money
Magic - Mental Magic - Two-Person Telepathy - Book Test - Conjuring with Cards -
Rope Mysteries - Magic for Youngsters - Miscellaneous Magic. HardBound with DustJacket and
240pages. Book measures approx. 7
1/4"x9 1/2". - $25.00
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2854-3791) THE SECRETs OF HOUDINI
by J.C. Cannell
Published in 1938 by Hutchinson & Co., Ltd. of London, England.
Stated: 38th Thousand and part of the Pocket Library series.
PaperBound with 252pages. Book is 71 years
old and in pretty good condition. The contents pages were so detailed, I've reproduced them for you
below, for
ease in reading. Just click on the thumbnail photo to bring up the larger photo. World-famous illusionist, master deluder, showman; Harry Houdini (alias of Ehrich Weiss) is one of the most legendary figures of the modern stage, and probably the most controversial and misunderstood magician of all times. So fantastic were his tricks that many thought him to be supernatural, a mystic, and an amazing spiritualist. Exposing his closely kept professional secrets, and revealing in general terms the whole art of stage magic, this book is now considered a classic study of Houdini's strange deceptions. J. C. Cannell, professional magician, friend, and colleague of Houdini in the Magician's Club, was the first to explain rationally how Houdini achieved his tricks. These include the famous challenges to death, escapes from bank vaults and from a Russian prison van lined with zinc, walking through brick walls, escapes from crates under water, disappearing ladies, women floating in mid-air, vanishing elephants, ghostly manifestations, séances, card tricks, rope tricks, mind reading, spirit messages, and miracles. All of these and much more are discussed in clear, simple language, and for better understanding, the author has included numerous line drawings of Houdini's ingenious escape devices, with diagrams of the more complicated tricks. When the first edition of this book was published shortly after Houdini's death in 1926, it caused such a controversy that many people refused to believe the author. Yet if you are interested in magic, the stage, or the fabulous life of Harry Houdini, you are certain to find this book a fascinating experience. Perhaps the only way to really understand Houdini is to read this book and judge for yourself. Don't be surprised if the author keeps you glued to each page as you follow step by step some of the most incredible stunts of the century. Book measures approx. 4 1/4"x7". -
$75.00
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2777-9344) LETTERs ON NATURAL
MAGIC.
Addressed to Sir Walter Scott. By Sir David Brewster. Published by J.&J.
Harper. New York. Title page shows "Harper’s Stereotype Edition" and
the date of 1832. On the front of the book it shows "Harper’s Family
Library. No. L." and the date of 1833. HardBound (rebound?). 314pages. - $75.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2779-6869) THE
MODERN CONJURER And Drawing-Room Entertainer
by C. Lang Neil Explaining and Illustrating Tricks By: J.N. Maskelyne -
Trewey - Charles Bertram - T. Nelson Downs - Mdlle. Patrice - Paul Valadon - H.
He Manche - L. Graham Lewis - Frank Kennard - Ellis Stanyon and others.... Original copyright
1902, this offering is for the third edition from 1922. Published by C. Arthur
Pearson Ltd. of London, England. HardBound with
DustJacket and 390pages. Book measures
approx. 5 3/4x8 3/4". The content pages were
so detailed, I have reproduced them below for ease in reading. Tough to find with DustJacket. -
$200.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LayAway is available - if
this is for you, just email for details.
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(After viewing this
Books Part 1
page, please click on any of the buttons above to move to any of the other Pages)
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Best Wishes
from
that "Warsaw Wizard"
The Great
Tomsoni
Copyright 1991 and published by Abraxas Publications. Hardbound (with
DustJacket) with 112pages.
Large size book measuring approx. 8 3/4"x11 1/4".
Contents include:
Acknowledgement
- Introduction - Christmas 1910 - In the Beginning
- A Carnival of Conjuring - Secrets,
Not for Sale - 55, Tavistock Square - The Lion's Parade
- One Man and His Dog - Publicity - The Great Lafayette and The Music Halls - Fire
- A Grim Mistake - The Most Hated Magician - The Last Act - Secrets of The Great Lafayette
- A Carnival of Conjuring - Miss Lala Silbini - Postscript
For those of you who didn't know, Arthur Setterington passed away on January 25th of
2006. - $45.00
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We, at SASC, are pleased to offer a LayAway plan for those of you who would like this service. Just email for more information.
All photo's are the Copyright of Stephen A. Sparks Collectibles and may not be reproduced in any form or manner without permission of Stephen A. Sparks.
Stephen A. Sparks281-353-1014
(Phone) ~ 281-827-4001 (Cell)
Email: Houdini374@aol.com Ebay's: Gran*Houdini
PayPal or a Postal Money Order gets your order shipped within 24 hours of receipt, unless it arrives on a Friday or Saturday, then it will go out first thing Monday morning. ALL other forms of payment must clear first.
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