Magic 1400s-1950s [Hardcover]

Jim Steinmeyer (Author), Mike Caveney (Author), Ricky Jay (Author), Noel Daniel (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2009

The art of magic



Magic has enchanted humankind for millennia, evoking terror, laughter, shock, and amazement. Once persecuted as heretics and sorcerers, magicians have always been conduits to a parallel universe of limitless possibility whether invoking spirits, reading minds, or inverting the laws of nature by sleight of hand. Long before science fiction, virtual realities, video games and the internet, the craft of magic was the most powerful fantasy world man had ever known. As the pioneers of special effects throughout history, magicians have never ceased to mystify us by making the impossible possible.

This book celebrates more than 500 years of the dazzling visual culture of the world s greatest magicians. Featuring over 1,000 rarely seen vintage posters, photographs, handbills, and engravings in one 650-page volume, it traces the history of magic as a performing art from the 1400s to the 1950s. Combining sensational images with lucid and incisive text, Magic explores the evolution of the magician s craft, from medieval street performers to the brilliant stage magicians who gave rise to cinematic special effects; from the 19th century s Golden Age of Magic to groundbreaking daredevils like Houdini and the early 20th century' vaudevillians.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

About the editor:

TASCHEN editor Noel Daniel graduated from Princeton University, and studied in Berlin on a Fulbright Scholarship. She received a master s in London and was the director of a photography art gallery before becoming a book editor. Her TASCHEN books include Magic 1400s 1950s (2009) and The Circus 1870 1950 (2008).


About the authors:

Mike Caveney is a writer, collector, professional magician, and the publisher of over 50 books on the theory, practice, and history of magic. His biographical works include Kellar s Wonders (2003) with Bill Miesel, and Carter the Great (1995). An avid collector and performer for over four decades, he has appeared onstage or on TV in more than 20 countries.


Jim Steinmeyer is the author of many books on magic history and practice, including Los Angeles Times bestseller Hiding the Elephant (2004) and The Glorious Deception (2006). He has created deceptions featured by magicians such as Doug Henning, David Copperfield, and Siegfried and Roy, and critically acclaimed illusions for Broadway hits Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, and Into the Woods.


About the contributing author:

Ricky Jay is one of the world's great sleight of hand artists, and a distinguished actor, historian, and best-selling author. His Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women and Jay s Journal of Anomalies were both New York Times "Notable Books of the Year," and he defined the terms of his art for The Cambridge Guide to American Theatre and Encyclopedia Britannica.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 670 pages
• Publisher: TASCHEN America Llc (November 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3836509776
• ISBN-13: 978-3836509770
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 3 x 17.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 16 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #640,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Rich Books for Poor Times"--Taschen's Current Motto November 7, 2009

By Tome Raider VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've said it before, I say it again now: These Taschen XL titles are unprecedented bargains for any lover of books or art. These are astounding publications: huge, vast in scope, ultra-high quality. I've collected books for 25 years, and I can tell you that in a few years you will only be able to find these in antiquarian bookstores which will want to charge you several times the bargain rate that Amazon is currently asking for the current in-print titles. Those booksellers will have all these titles locked up in glass cases, and once he grudgingly pulls it out for you, and you see the huge sum being requested, you will look back on the day that you saw it listed on Amazon for a fraction of the price, and you will sorely regret that you did not promptly buy it with a purposeful one-click. I have bought all the dozen-or-so titles (except for "Tom of Finland"--I'm still working up the courage on that one ;), and I cherish each one. These are heirloom books here, folks. Your kids will be fighting over these before your body is cold.

As with all the other titles this "Magic" book will forever set the standard on the subject. Obviously if you or a family member or a friend has ever dabbled in magic, then it is a foregone conclusion that you have to get this. I've personally never been that enthralled with magic shows (having not really seen that many that I can recall), but I do love anything supernatural, and in particular, horror movies and horror books. The overlap is considerable, and flipping through the pages of this book gave me the shivers more than once. There is every sort of bizarre photograph here depicting séances, exotic ceremonies, magic performances, and many other potentially ill-advised ventures into the mystic unknown. The poster art--there are hundreds--is incredible and they display a world at once richer and yet more innocent and open minded. The color reproduction is astonishing. And may you be punished severely by the "other side" if any one of you mutilates one of these books to clip out a poster!! These books are historical artifacts and should not be messed with.

The only down side is that these books are big enough that you may have a hard time finding a place to put it. I have stored about eight of mine--still in the handy boxes which they come in, and which I highly recommend you keep--in a closet. But I enjoy knowing that the wonderful imagery is right at hand for me to peruse at my leisure, and I will make sure that my next house has bigger bookshelves so I can again have these proudly on display.

PS: Here are some of the other XL titles which I can recall off the top of my head: "Cabinet of Natural Curiosities" (perhaps my favorite title of all); "Leonardo da Vinci"; "Michelangelo"; "Atlas Major"; "The Complete Costume History"; "The Atlas of Human Anatomy and Surgery"; "The World of Ornament"; "The Stanley Kubrick Archives," et al.

(Finally, for anyone interested in magic or other "doors of perception", there is another recent and important publication which may be of interest: Carl Jung's "Red Book" (his diaries from his period of near insanity). It is a huge book almost on the scale of a Taschen XL, with Jung's own fabulous and colorful illustrations. First editions of this publication are destined for astonishing future values, not that you would ever sell it or any of these Taschen XLs.)

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavy on History November 2, 2009

By S. Wronker

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a magician who revels in the history of my craft. I love reading any and every book that recreates the fun and mysterious events of the past. Magic surely has a lot to offer. This volume will take some time to read and digest but the time will be well spent. The chapters are well defined and the reproduction of posters, plates and lithographs are exquisit. The authors of this volume are well known in carrying out extensive reasearch before writing a book and I am sure this will be the highlight of their lifetime. We done Mike, Ricky and Jim. Physically this book is HUGE! To say it is a coffee table book is not to do it justice. Did I say this book is HUGE? The book weighs in at seventeen pounds. This is a book you must read sitting at a table, not in bed or in your favorite chair. Oh, did I say this book is HUGE... well it is. And it is a great source on the history of magic. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Massive complete book on Magic in 3 languages too. January 25, 2010

By Res3366

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a huge book in scope and weight. It covers so much history of magic to keep all who are interested in the subject busy for a long time. Most have already covered the content of the book. But only 1 has covered that it is in 3 languages. This is one reason why it is so big. So unless you read the 3 languages of this book, you may only be reading the English part or the languages that you can read. Seems like a filler to me. But there are more pictures too.