Magic: Stage Illusions, Special Effects and Trick Photography (Paperback)

by Albert A. Hopkins (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Standard work on classic stage illusions performed by Robert-Houdin, Bautier de Kolta, Maskelyne and others. Detailed descriptions of techniques of fire eaters, sword swallowers, jugglers, acrobats, etc. Also ancient magic, automatons, magic photography, much more. Over 400 exceptional illustrations. Introduction. Bibliography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 556 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (October 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486265617
• ISBN-13: 978-0486265612
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #355,175 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #67 in	Books > Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Magic
  #69 in	Books > Entertainment > Performing Arts > Magic & Illusion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An armchair read of special effects, August 26, 1999

By	Walter Stoneburner (Ashburn, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While this book may not have direct application, it still remains on of my favorite titles in my magic library. It discusses how larger effects are accomplished, from temple doors that open automatically, to photographic illusions. The material is dated, but can be cleverly adapted for performances.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating--but obsolete, October 20, 2000

By	"stcofpclg" (Campbell, CA United States) - See all my reviews

If you're a student of magic, technical theatre, or trick photography, this is an excellent historical text on how these things were done about 100 years ago. It's a fascinating period piece, and a limited amount of the material can be updated and applied to a modern setting, but much of the illusions it describes require gas lines, steam lines, and other non-standard stage accessories.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun History, October 27, 2005

By	Timothy E. Converse "Santiago's Magic" (Santa Cruz, CA.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Being a magic history buff I loved this book. Lots of fun stuff and interesting material. Kind of dry reading though unless you are into the history like I am.

Tim "Santiago" Converse
Enter a World of Elegant Magic