Conjuring by James Randi - First Edition December 1992

This is Dr. Jeffrey Pearson's Private Estate item in Like New Condition. First Edition December 1992 Conjuring is an illustrated book by James Randi. Randi gives a detailed history of conjuring, more commonly known as magic, said to be the world’s second oldest profession. It includes detailed portraits of conjurors, including: Harry Blackstone, Sr., Harry Blackstone, Jr., Harry Houdini and his entourage, Howard Thurston, Robert Heller, Joe Berg, and others. Randi explains the history of famous magic tricks like the Rabbit from a hat, Bullet catch, and the Indian rope trick. Contents: ix An Apologyxi Introduction 1 1 In the Beginning . . .10 2 A Rabbit from a Hat & The Fabulous Indian Rope Trick17 3 Conjuring in Early Europe28 4 The American Philadelphia, Professor Pinetti, & L’Escamoteur Philippe37 5 Anderson, Wonderful Wizard of the North46 6 Robert-Houdin, the Innovator52 7 Conjuring in the New World: The Brothers Davenport &. Their Spirit Cabinet57 8 Melies the Moviemaker60 9 The Maskelyne Dynasty68 10 The Ubiquitous Herrmanns73 11 Catching Bullets78 12 Chung Ling Soo, the Marvelous Chinese Conjuror90 13 Lafayette, the Quick-Change Artist, & the Boscos96 14 Hofzinser, the Great Amateur, & Robert Heller, Musician-Magician100 15 Horace Goldin’s Buzz Saw & The Comedians de Mepihisto Co.107 16 Kellar, the Man Who Spoke with Devils, & Thurston, King of Cards122 17 The Two Dantes127 18 The Bamberg Family139 19 The Two Blackstones152 20 Sorcar and Gogia Pasha of India156 21 Houdini, the Elusive American176 22 The Richiardis178 23 The Mandrakes181 24 The Self-Liberators194 25 The Manipulators198 26 The Mentalists231 27 The Pickpockets236 28 The Children’s Entertainers and the Street Workers244 29 Far Eastern Wonders, Then and Now254 30 Modern Wizards 292 Special Thanks293 Definitions of Some Terms Used in Magic and Stage Work297 Bibliography299 A List of Magicians, Then and Now303 A List of Magic Dealers306 A List of Magical Periodicals and Organizations307 Index313 About the Author