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Specializing in Houdiniana
BOOK Section - Part Two
Weather In Spring, Texas
Welcome to the: "BOOK Section - Part Two" .
Below you'll find even MORE 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 2 page, please click on any of the buttons above to move to any of the other Pages)
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2986-5698) THE HOUDINI BOX by Brian Selznick.
Copyright 1991, First Edition.
Published by Alfred A. Knopf of New York.
In his first book for children, Selznick presents the compelling story of Harry Houdini, the magician who amazed the world with his great escapes. While Houdini circles the globe performing one incredible stunt after another, Victor, a young devotee, goes through his own rigorous magician's training at home--locking himself in closets, holding his breath under water, walking into walls. This counterpoint is a witty, effective device, and Selznick's deadpan text makes the most of it. It seems that Victor will never become a magician, until one day, after a chance encounter with his hero, he receives a special box that just might contain the secrets of Houdini's success. In his arresting, informative blend of fact and fiction, Selznick splendidly captures the sense of wonder that surrounded Houdini. Equally impressive are his evocative drawings; by turns droll, touching and downright silly, they bring added vitality to a captivating book. More than anything, however, this ambitious work teaches the importance of faith and the ability to believe in the impossible. The book also offers a biographical note about Houdini.
Book and DJ are in Near Mint/Mint condition. DJ is price clipped.
The BONUS of this offering is the book is AUTOGRAPHED by the author:
Enjoy!
Brian Selznick
Hardbound with DustJacket with 60 pages and measures approx. 7"x9 3/4". - $35.00
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2988-3153) MEMOIRS OF ROBERT HOUDIN, The Great Wizard
Translated from the French by Dr. R. Shelton Mackenzie.
Hardbound with DustJacket. Measures 5 1/2"x8".
Original copyright 1859.
This stated "First Edition" published by Carl W. Jones of Minneapolis.
Title page shows the date of 1944, but the Copyright is shown as 1945, on the copyright page.
Endpapers are illustrated with illustration of invitation ticket designed by Robert-Houdini.
Chapters include:
The Inexhaustible Bottle - The Fantastic Orange Tree - The Miraculous Fishing - The Aerial Clock - Second Sight or The Mysterious Little Bell - The Handkerchief With Surprises - The Ethereal Suspension - The Garland of Flowers - Robert-Houdin's Briefcase - Instant Thought Transmission - The Transparent Box - The French Guard - The Pastryman of The Palais-Royal - The Tumbler on The Trapeze - The Enchanted Vase - The Cornucopia.
A Massive 457 pages.
The DustJacket is in a protective Mylar holder, which explains some of the while glare in the photos.
Looking at the DJ, there's no whitish area in the center of the front cover, this is reflection from the Mylar.
On the photo of the DJ opened up, jut to the left and right of the center of the spine - the white area isn't there, it's a reflection.
Small (very small) paper loss on the back side of the DustJacket's lower left corner.
As can be seen from the photos, below, the DJ and book are in GREAT Condition!! - $75.00
(The writing, on the cover, when held at an angle reads
Robert Houdin's name.
When held the other direction reads "Prestidigitateur".)
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2896-3665) BLACKSTONE...And Now A Word From Our Sponsor by Robert Lund.
Copyright 1971.
Published by Woefully Out of Tune With The Times Press. Southfield, Michigan.
PaperBound with 64pages.
This book contains over five dozen various types of advertisements used by Harry Blackstone, Sr.
Bread, Beer, Bon-Bons, Electric Radios, Cars, Home appliances, Milady, Good health, Bon aperitif, and Something for Everybody.
Limited Edition, this Copy #188 of 277. - $35.00
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2849-4178)
ASSORTED BOOKs ABOUT HOUDINI(some books pre-owned and some new - please refer to photos below - email if you'd like to know the exact condition)
a) HOUDINI, The Handcuff King by Jason Lutes and Nick Bertozzi. With an introduction by Glen David Gold. 2007 1st edition with 89 pages. HardBound with DustJacket. Mint condition, never used. - $25.00
b) THE GREAT HOUDINI by Beryl Williams and Samuel Epstein. PaperBound with 208pages and measures approx. 4 1/4"x7". Seventh printing from January 1965. Published by Pocket Books of New York City. - $5.00
c) HARRY HOUDINI, Master of Magic by Robert Kraske. PaperBound with 72pages and measures approx. 5 1/4"x7 1/2". Published in 1978 by Scholastic Book Services of New York City. - $7.50
d) THE GREAT HOUDINI, Magician Extraordinary by Beryl Williams and Samuel Epstein. HardBound with 182pages. ExLibrary (has seen some use) Measures approx. 5 3/4"x8 1/2". Seventh printing from 1956. Published by Julian Messner, Inc. of New York City. This book combined with "The Ringlings, Wizards of the Circus. Two books for one price. - $20.00
e) THE GREAT HOUDINI, Magician Extraordinary by Beryl Williams and Samuel Epstein. HardBound with DustJacket and 182pages. Measures approx. 5 3/4"x8 1/2". Fourth printing from 1951. Published by Julian Messner, Inc. of New York City. - $25.00
a
)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f,g,h) HOUDINI ON MAGIC edited by Walter B. Gibson and Morris N. Young. PaperBound with 280pages and measures approx. 5 1/2"x8". All stated with a copyright of 1953 and published by Dover Publications of New York City. -but- it can plainly be seen, some editions are older than others. - $10.00/each
i) HOUDINI, World's Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King. Written by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Eric Velasquez. HardBound with DustJacket, 32pages and published by Walker & Company of New York in 1995. A large size book, in that it measures approx. 9 1/4"x 12 1/2". - $25.00
j) HOUDINI - THE UNTOLD STORY. By Milbourne Christopher.
HardBound with price clipped DustJacket. Measures approx. 6"x8 1/2". Copyright 1969. This is the First Edition. Published by Thomas Y. Crowell Company. New York. 281 pages, complete with Index. - $25.00f
)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k) HOUDINI, Master of Escape by Lace Kendall. HardBound with 187pages. ExLibrary (although it doesn't look like it was ever checked out). Copyright 1960, eighth printing, and published by Macrae Smith Company, Philadelphia. Book measures approx. 5 1/2"x8". -
$20.00l) HOUDINI, Master of Escape by Lace Kendall. HardBound with 187pages. Bill Weldon BookPlate inside. First Edition, copyright 1960, and published by Macrae Smith Company, Philadelphia. Book measures approx. 5 3/4"x8 1/4". - $20.00
m) HOUDINI, Master of Escape by Lace Kendall. HardBound with DustJacket and 187pages. ExLibrary (has seen some use). Copyright 1960, sixth printing, and published by Macrae Smith Company, Philadelphia. Book measures approx. 5 3/4"x8 1/2". - $25.00
n) HOUDINI, On Magic by Walter B. Gibson and Morris N. Young, M.D. HardBound with DustJacket and 277pages. Copyright 1953 and published by Dover Publications, Inc.. Book measures approx. 5 3/4"x8 1/4". Book/DJ in Near Mint condition. - $25.00
k
)
l)
m)
n)
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2764-6985) AMERICAN MUSEUM OF MAGIC, It's True Story by Daniel Waldron.
"Being an eye-witness account of its fantastical conception, wonders and glories as created by its founders Robert and Elaine Lund".
Unfortunately, both Bob and Elaine have passed away.
PaperBound with 47pages and over a dozen photographs and illustrations.
Copyright 1990 by the author. The lower left corner has a little rub, as can be seen in the second photo below.
Great reading about this "one of a kind" Museum. - $
35.00~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2875-9125) ABRACADABRA: Michigan and Magic
1991 lecture given by Bob Lund for the Annual Meeting of the Historical Society of Michigan in Marshall, Michigan.
SoftBound with 24pages.
As noted, on the front cover, this lecture was part of The Clarence M. Burton Memorial Lecture.
As the book states:
"In 1957, as the result of a generous grant by the Burton Foundation, the Historical Society of Magician inaugurated the Clarence M. Burton Memorial Lecture in honor of the Detroit historian, founder of the Burton Historical Collection and past president of the Society. Since that time outstanding scholars have been invited to address the annual meetings of the Historical Society of Michigan".
There is a list of all the lectures presented from 1958 to 1990. All having to do with some Michigan history: Civil War, Indians, Early Settler's, etc.
Bob Lund's lecture was the first with a magic/magician theme.
There are photo's, in the book, showing:
HOUDINI, Milton Kort, Harry Blackstone, Sr., Harry Blackstone, Jr., Percy Abbott, Neil Foster, Gus Rapp, Monk Watson, Johnny Jones, Al Munroe, Mardeen poster, Will and Ruth Rock, -and- Milky, the Twin Pines Magic Clown.
This book is a fine example of you just never know where you're going to find Great Magic Related Publications.
How many of you, outside Michigan, even knew this book existed?!!
Book measures approx. 6"x9".
The BONUS, of this offering, is the book is Signed by Bob Lund, on the "About The Author" page. -
$45.00~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2758-4479) This is a fabulous book: The LOCK and KEY Library
Containing the memoirs of M. Robert Houdin who was Houdini's idol and from whom Houdini took his name.
The book is a collection of interesting mystery stories, stories about spiritualism and fake mediums, etc.
HardBound and published, a 100 Years Ago in 1909, by the Review of Reviews Co., in New York.
This book taking those Reviews and publishing them, here, in book form.
In the section titled: "TRUE STORIEs OF MODERN MAGIC", this book contains:
David Abbott with a thorough early expose of spiritualism and fraudulent mediums. "Fraudulent Spiritualism Unveiled". Chapters include: "A Doctor of the Occult" - "How The Tricks Succeeded" - "The Name of the Dead" - "Mind Reading in Public" - "Some Famous Exposures". 40pages.
Hereward Carrington adds to this Volume with more Tricks of Spiritualism and Psychological Deception: "Matter through Matter" - "Deception Explained by the Science of Psychology". 11pages.
There’s also an Anonymously written article: "How Spirits Materialize," containing early tricks of fake séances. 15pages.
AND the prize piece by M. Robert-Houdin: "A Conjurer's Confessions", containing: "Self-Training" - "Second Sight" - "The Magician Who Became An Ambassador" - "Facing the Arab's Pistol." This is a memoir by one of the greatest stage magicians of all time, and is wonderfully detailed with fascinating recollections, and memories, as well as explanations of some methods and principles of stage magic and sleight-of-hand. 36pages.
This is a fascinating book and contains excellent and original content. - $
50.00~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2775-9547) Two Editions of: QUICKER THAN THE EYE by John Mulholland
The Magic and Magicians of the World.
Both books measure approx. 6"x8 3/8". The content page was so detailed, I have reproduced it below for ease in reading.
(a) Copyright 1932 and published by The Junior Literary Guild of New York.
State First Edition
HardBound with Very Scarce DustJacket and 259pages.
As John Mulholland Puts It:
This is a book about entertainers. No mention has been made of Cagliostro or any of the other great pretenders to supernormal power. I have discussed fortunetellers only because they have been defrauding the public. Rather than to take the covers off their magic boxes, I have tried to take you back-stage to know the makers of minor miracles. They are a fine people, and I hope you like them.
"Bradford Hagie - Christmas 1932" handwritten on the free end page. - $175.00
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(b) Copyright 1932 and published by The Bobbs-Merril Company of Indianapolis, Indiana.
State First Edition
HardBound with 259pages.
The BONUS of this offering is the book is INSCRIBED and AUTOGRAPHED, on the free end page, by the author:
For Gordon Welles
who has said he liked
this book - which
may or may not be a
result of Princeton
Cordially
John Mulholland.
1932
At least I think the first name is Gordon - what do you think? - $250.00
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2703-2596) A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CONJURING PERIODICALS IN ENGLISH: 1791-1983 by James B. Alfredson and George L. Daily, Jr.
For those of you who collect magazines, Jim and George are definitely the "Toole Stott" of their time. What a book these two put out in 1986. 396 pages PACKED with thousands of listings. If nothing else, this book makes a great check list, so you (the reader) can see just what it takes to complete that file of magazines you’ve been working on for years. Or to check those magazine files you already own and want to find out if they’re Really Complete.
This book is virtually in Mint Condition. The person, I obtained this from, doesn't appear to have ever used it. Can you imagine? His lost, your gain. - $75.00
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2706-7876) 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 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 that 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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2713-2995) MORE TRICKs AND PUZZLEs (with
Patter) by Will Goldston 1919. Second Edition.
(Revised). 92pages. Pictorial boards with blue sphinx and two figures on front
cover. Blue title on spine. Contents include:
To Spin a Penny Held By Two Pins - To
Pass a Coin Through Your Sleeve - To Spin a Coin Inside a Hat - The Penny and
the Handkerchief - The Disappearing Coin - To Spin a Coin on the Bottom of a
Tumbler - A Coin Balanced on the Edge of a Tumbler - The Penny on the Finger -
The Hypnotized Cards - Watch the Coin... - the Sixpence and the Handkerchief -
The Walking Coin - A Lifting Trick... - A Knot Tied Instantaneously - The Card
and the Watch - The Disappearing Sixpence - A Thought Reading Trick - The
Imprisoned Watch - The Vanishing Half Crown - A Balancing Feat - A Trick with a
Wax Match - Lighting a Match Twice - The Affectionate Queen - The Separate
Matches... - Thought Reading with a Pack of Cards - String and Handkerchief
Mystery - Pulling a Handkerchief Through the Leg - The Hypnotized Match.. - To
Drink a Glass of Water which is Covered with Another Glass Without Touching the
Glasses with Hour Hands - One Way of Putting Out a Light - The Handkerchief and
Broken Match - A Second Sight Trick - The Die with the Moving Spots - The
Bewitched Rule - The Rubber Ring and the String - The Pencil, Loop and
Buttonhole - The String and Buttonhole Trick - Two Tumblers and a Match - The
Hypnotized Tumbler - The Hypnotized Hairpins - Aladdin’s Ring - The Burning
Match Puzzle - A Pretty Match Puzzle - How It Is Done? - How Many More Matches
Are Required? - Five Squares Made Into Four - The Sixteen Coin Puzzle - What is
Half of Twelve? - To Pass A Penny Through A Hole Half Its Size - A Scientific
Coin Puzzle - The Nine Dot Puzzle - What Are Matches Made Of? - Remarkable
Numbers. Written by Will Goldston.
Printed and Published by Will Goldston Limited, Aladdin House, 14 Green Street,
Leicester Square, London, W.C.2.The Magician Ltd., Robin Hood Yard. London.
Measures approx. 5x7 1/4 in size. -
$25.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2714-2659) HOUDINIs ESCAPEs and MAGIC
by Walter B. Gibson. First Hardbound combined
edition. Original
copyrights for combined edition 1930 and 1932. Published by Blue Ribbon Books, Inc. of New York City. A Massive 633 pages!!! Book One (Houdini’s Escapes):
317 pages. Chapters include: Introduction - Rope
Ties and Chain Releases - Special Challenges
- Box Escapes -
Under-Water Escapes - Trunks-Barrels-Coffins
- Miscellaneous Escapes - Spectacular
Mysteries and Escapes. Book Two (Houdini’s Magic):
316 pages. Chapters include: Introduction - Impromptu
Tricks - Card Tricks - Slate
Tricks - Message-Reading - Platform
Tricks - Stage Tricks - A
Second Sight Act - Stage Illusions
- Special Stage Effects - Antispiritualistic
Effects - Notes on Kellar. Book measures approx. 6"x8 1/2". This offering comes with the Red DustJacket. The Front
showing black titles and photo collage of Houdini in a cell, roped to a chair
and in a strait-jacket. DustJacket has a tear, here and there - along
with some fading on the spine. The book outer covers show spotting around
the edges, but the inside pages, etc. are all just fine. 99% of the time you see this book offered, it doesn't
have the
Scarce DustJacket.
- $75.00
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2715-3948) SHERLOCK HOLMES and THE HOUDINI
BIRTHRIGHT by Val Andrews
PaperBound with 160pages.
Copyright 1995, reprinted in Nov. 1999.
Published by Breese Books, Ltd in London, England.
Doctor's Watson's collaborator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, finds himself drawn into
the world of the fake psychics and Houdini is anxious for Holmes to unmask the
perpetrators who prey on the innocent believers. Holmes' investigation lead him
to some surprising locations including a Ruritanian castle. Sherlockians,
historians and magic buffs will all be intrigued and delighted with this classic
detective story which links fact and little fiction to suggest what may have
happened to Houdini after his death.
The novel is in four parts:
The Sleuth, the Scribe and the Sorcerer
Measures approx. 5 1/4"x8 1/4".
Great Reading!!
- $25.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2687-1398) 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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2690-4286) HOUDINI, THE CAREER OF EHRICH
WEISS. By Kenneth Silverman. Hardbound with DustJacket.
Measures 6½"x9½". Copyright 1996. First Edition. Published by
HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. New York. 466 pages. Chapters include:
Metamorphoses (One:1874-1898, Two:1899) - Handcuff King (Three:1900-1905,
Four:1900-1904, Five:1905-1909) - The Upside Down (Six:January-June 1910,
Seven:1910-1913, Eight:1913-1915, Nine:1916-1917, Ten:1918-1919) - A Magician
Among The Spirits (Eleven:1920-1922, Twelve:Spring 1922-Spring 1923,
Thirteen:January 1923-Spring 1924, Fourteen:Summer 1924, Fifteen:August
1924-February 1925, Sixteen:Fall 1924-Spring 1926 - Paligenesia (Seventeen:January-August
1926, Eighteen:August-November 1926) - Appendix and Source Guide. This Pulitzer prize winning author, who has also written biographies of Cotton Mather and Edgar A. Poe, has drawn on fresh information to produce a fascinating and rich account of Houdini's life. Silverman tells the story of Houdini's origins as Ehrich Weiss, one of five sons of Rabbi Mayer Weiss, an immigrate from Hungary to America; his theatrical debut in dime museums and burlesque shows during the 1890s; and his rapid rise to stardom that culminated in twenty-five years of worldwide fame. The author also describes Houdini's tangled family life, his war against Spiritualism, and his encounters with such celebrities as Sarah Bernhardt, Jack London, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Most of all, he re-creates the illusions and escapes that Houdini performed throughout Europe, the United States, Russia, and Australia.
Amazement's which made Houdini the highest-paid variety artist of his time. The author treats in depth many unfamiliar facets of Houdini's career: Houdini as an aviator, a fight fan, inventor, author,
film-maker, book collector, and fraud-buster. He reveals for the first time Houdini's affair with the widow of a famous American writer and offers new information about his early circus days, his run-ins with anti-Semitism, his struggle to educate himself, his stormy rivalries with other magicians, and his sudden death at the age of fifty-two. This is Probably
THE BOOK when it comes to a biography about Houdini. I remember Ken once telling me,
"there are 10 versions for every Houdini story and if I couldn't prove the story as fact from fiction, it didn't belong in my
book". The book is enhanced by more than one hundred photographs of Houdini and his escapes, many never before or rarely published. You have to read this book for yourself, it's simply Amazing!! -
$25.00
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2691-5432) 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 contents page was so detailed, I've
reproduced it for you below, for ease in reading.
Measures approx. 8 1/2"x11" - $45.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2692-6397) THE GREAT
HOUDINI BROADCASTs by Val Andrews. Published in 1981 by Micky Hades
Publications. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Staple bound with cloth tape spine. Houdini died Halloween night, 1926, and it
was reported that 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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2693-4944) 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!! -
$25.00
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2696-2585) 33 Rope Ties and Chain Releases by
Burling Hull. Copyright 1947 by Burling Hull. Paperbound. 40pages.
Numbered in the upper right corner on the cover:
1493.
Some descriptions include:
The Mysterious Knots - The Kellar Tie - The Improved Kellar Tie - The
Figure 8 Tie - The Mysterious Tie - B.H. Strangle Rope Tie - New Spirit Tape Tie
- The Twentieth Century Tie - B.H. Triumph Tie - The Ten Ichi Thumb Tie - The
Excelsior Rope Tie - The Rings and Vest Trick - Novel Faked Rope - The Novelty
Tie - Release - Cotton Bandage Test - B.H. Collapsible Cabinet - B.H. Folding
Cabinet - Tape Tie - The Vest Turning Trick - Vanishing Knots - Dissolving Knots
- The Magic Knot - The Linking Ring - Borrowed Ring on Cord - The Master
Challenge of Mummy Tie, with 50 or 75 Feet of Rope - Being Tied in Any Position
- Tied in a Chair - The Siberian Transport Chain - B.H. Simplified Chain Release
- The B.H. "Best" Chain Release - The B. and H. Chain Release - Mysto
shackle Escape - Ankle Shackle Escape - B.H. Chain Shackle Release - Spirit
Locks - Old Model Spirit Locks - B.H. Spirit Lock - The Chained Sack Escape.
A manual for the Profession on the art
of rope tying and methods of obtaining releases from ropes, chains and shackles.
-
$25.00
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2697-3279) HOUDINIs STRANGE TALES.
A collection of fiction by the legendary Harry Houdini edited by Houdini expert
Patrick Culliton and T. L. Williams. What you get here is a book AND/OR cassette.
The book contains Seven Short Stories; Three One-Act Plays -and- Eight Film
Treatments. As Patrick Culliton puts it: "a
collection of Houdini’s fiction
as ever
published. Despite the fact that most of the pieces in this book were actually
published in various print media during his lifetime, very few people have been
aware of their existence. The material in this book was quite difficult to find." The book was published in 1992 and contains just under 100 pages. I
obtained a small number of these directly from Mr. Culliton. He was even kind
enough to
personally sign the book. The second part of this offering has to do with Patrick
Culliton getting together with some of his Hollywood friends and recording some
of the stories.
Pat’s joined on the cassette tape by: David Carradine, Cherie Currie, Robert
Hays, Michael Cavanaugh, Tracey Williams, Nicholas Kepros, John Blyth Barrymore,
Eugia Edwards, T. A. Waters, Doug Botnick, Wendy Talley, Gail Jensen and Allan
Jones. I’m sure most of you recognize some of these actors and
magicians. A great piece of work by Pat and Tracey. I Guarantee you’ll ENJOY
reading and listening to these stories by Houdini. -
The Book is $25.00,
the
Cassette $15.00 -or-
the pair for
$35.00
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The Secret Box
The Magyer Connection
The Final Séance
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.
Four PUBLICATIONs BY BEN HARRIS
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2605-7459) OFF THE WALL by Ben Harris.
Foreword by Jay Sankey.
Original copyright 1988 by BHM Industries of Brisbane, Australia.
This the 1988 2nd printing.
Must have been a popular book to require a 2nd printing So Quickly!!
SoftBound with 103pages and 22 effects with over 156 line drawings.
The content page was so detailed, I have reproduced it below for ease in reading.
Some staining on the outside covers, but the inside pages, etc. are just fine.
Book measures approx. 8"x11 1/2". -
$35.00~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2608-8463) SUPPLEMENT
Published in 1986 by Ben Harris Magic in Brisbane, Australia.
Contents include:
Acrobatic Dice by Barry Govan
PaperBound with 24pages and many photographs. - $25.00
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2518-7532) FANDANGO
Copyright 1986 and published by Ben Harris Magic of Queensland, Australia.
SoftBound with eight pages.
The Effect:
This is a great, visual version of the Sandwich Plot. The actual move is a step in the right direction as it eliminates the usual 'loading the card in between' procedure. With Fandango, one moment there really is nothing between the sandwich cards and then wham VISUALLY the selected card appears BETWEEN them. Two handling's are described.
Book measures approx. 6"x8 1/4". Book only, no props are included. - $12.50
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REMEMBER, all photos are Thumbnails - click on the photo to bring up the LARGER photo.
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2520-0584) PRIME HOLE CARD
Revised second edition. Copyright 1985 by Ben Harris Magic of Brisbane, Australia.
SoftBound with 4pages and 23 photographs.
Two effects occur. There is the Torn and Restored sequence and the Multiplication Sequence.
At the end are Harris' latest thoughts and an alternate finishing phase.
Book measures approx. 8"x11 1/2". - $20.00
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2523-5786) THE PHIL GOLDSTEIN CONVENTION LECTURE
Self published by the author in 1978.
The Content's Include:
Expansion
Flushing
Maybe
Calculated Theft
In Case of ESP
Zodiaction
Pop-Off
The Hamman Count
The Jordan Count
Sidewinder
SoftBound with 12pages(cover to cover). Some pencil notations within. Folded length wise.
Measures approx. 5 1/2"x8 1/2" - $15.00
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REMEMBER, all photos are Thumbnails - click on the photo to bring up the LARGER photo.
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2566-2568) THE ADVENTURE OF THE CLOUDED CRYSTAL by Ted Kelly. Actors play script. Published by Samuel French, Inc., New York, Hollywood, London, Toronto. Copyright 1982. Paperbound (measuring 5x 7 1/4) with 24pages. A play script having to do with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a Medium, and Harry Houdini. Originally commissioned by Actors Theatre of Louisville. The play takes place in a room, at the home of Mrs. Lillian Alexander, a celebrated spirit medium and psychic, New York City. It is 1922.
Story of the Play:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, and Harry Houdini, world's greatest magician and escape artist, are dear friends, although the issue of "Spiritualism" often causes them to argue. Doyle arranges a séance with a famed New York medium in the hopes Houdini will become a "believer". Houdini, however, plans to expose the medium, Mrs. Alexander, as a fraud. What he doesn't count on is the cleverness of the woman. She's well aware that Houdini defeats every medium he encounters, but she has no intention of being one more victim. The dramatic (and often funny) sparks fly as the two lock themselves in combat, with Sir Arthur and a young woman reporter on the sidelines. Ultimately, Doyle and Houdini have a stormy scene, and the magician finds he must retreat from Mrs. Alexander's skill and intelligence. It's the only time Houdini fails. He and the medium make a strange pact: to stay as far away from one another as possible. If Houdini "behaved" Mrs. Alexander won't reveal his secret to the world: He believes Sherlock Homes is a real person!
Haven't heard of this "Houdini Play" from 23 years ago? Well you have now!! - $35.00
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LayAway is available - if this is for you, just email for details.
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2556-8234) STRANGE SECRETs The Addenda
PaperBound book with 54pages.
Copyright 1984 and published by The Abbott Magic Company of Colon, Michigan.
Contents Include:
CHARACTER READING by R.S. Glover - Part One: Misfitting The Misfit - Part Two: Mixed Types - Part Three: Profiles, Texture, Color - Part Four: Spoiled and Sensitive People - Part Five: The Impractical Man
ASTROLOGIA by Howard P. Albright - Billet Reading Routine, Number One - The Automatic Prompter - How To Use The "Prompter" Cards - Sealed Message Reading Routine Number Two
Previous owners name rubber stamped inside. Measures approx. 8 1/4"x10 3/4". - $25.00
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2609-2369) THE LIFE AND MANY DEATHs OF HARRY HOUDINI by Ruth Brandon.
Hardbound with DustJacket.
Copyright 1993. Stated "First U.S. Edition".
Published by Random House. New York. 358 pages.
Besides the usual items found in Houdini Biographies, Ruth Brandon explains in detail the secrets of Houdini’s most celebrated escapes, but, more importantly, she asks,
"What was Houdini really trying to escape from?".Searching for the answer, she reveals a man far more extraordinary than any audience could have imagined.
As the books states:
"Ruth Brandon reveals much that is new - including how Houdini invented a phantom son and wrote daily long letters to his wife, Bess. Also, the first full description of Houdini’s fabled death; and fresh material on the early life of Margery, the Medium who played such a significant role in Houdini’s life.
Chapters include:
The Manacled Diver - Rabbits from a Hat - Metamorphosis - Aaron’s Rod - Two Ladies - Freaks - Handcuff King - With One Bound He Was Free - The Disappearing Fathers Trick - All in the Mind - The Death and Resurrection Show - The Lady Vanishes - Film Star - Merlin’s Cave - Magician Among the Spirits - Margery - Inside the Coffin - Houdini Lives!
55 photos, some of which you wouldn’t normally see in a Houdini biography.
Book measures approx. 6 1/2"x9 1/2" - $25.00
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Please
CLICK HERE to check out my BioPage. Besides the Bio - there are 40 great photos of RARE Houdini items. Many from my Personal Collection.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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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. Sparks
Stephen A. Sparks Collectibles
Specializing in Houdiniana
P. O. Box 1345
Spring, Texas 77383-1345 USA
281-353-1014
(Phone) ~ 281-827-4001
(Cell)
Email: Houdini374@aol.com Ebay's: Gran*Houdini
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