[Gutenberg 45235] • Magic, Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions, Including Trick Photography

It is believed that the present work occupies a unique field in the extensive literature of magic. There are already a large number of treatises on natural magic and legerdemain, but in most of them very little attention has been given to the exposé of stage illusions, which are of great interest as they are so largely based on ingenious applications of scientific principles. Optics, mechanics, sound, and electricity have all been pressed into service by the fin de siècle prestidigitateur. In the present work great attention has been paid to elaborate tricks of this nature, and in many cases the exposés have been obtained from the prestidigitateurs themselves. In the first few chapters many of the best illusions of Robert-Houdin, Dr. Lynn, Professor Pepper, Bautier de Kolta, Heller, Herrmann, Maskelyne and Cooke, and Kellar will be found clearly explained.

Conjuring tricks have been by no means neglected, but the number of them which are given has been limited, owing to the fact that many of the books on magic have gone into this subject quite extensively. Ventriloquism, shadowgraphy, mental magic, etc., will also be found treated in the present work.

The chapters relating to “Ancient Magic” take up the temple tricks of the ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman thaumaturgists, as well as a number of automata which are very interesting in view of their very early epoch. It is believed this will be found a particularly entertaining feature of the book.

There is always a great charm about the stage, and the methods of producing the effects which give realism to the drama. The chapters devoted to “Theatrical Science” will be found to contain a very large number of effects and illusions, many of which are here presented for the first time. Thus an entire opera, “Siegfried,” is taken up, and the methods by which the wonderful effects are obtained are fully illustrated and described. Such amusements as cycloramas, the nautical arena, and fireworks with dramatic accessories are not neglected.

The chapters on “Automata” and “Curious Toys” describe many interesting tricks and mechanisms of an amusing nature.

The last few chapters of the book deal with “Photographic Diversions,” and here will be found some of the most curious and interesting tricks and deceptions which may be performed by the aid of photography. The practical side of scientific photography will also be found represented. The chapter on “Chronophotography” describes the photography of moving objects of all kinds, and shows how the results obtained are of value to the savant. The projection of moving pictures upon a screen is thoroughly treated, a number of different forms of the apparatus being described.

THE MYSTERIES OF MODERN MAGIC

Ancient Magic, Division of Magic, Cagliostro, Robertson, Comte de Grisi, Robert-Houdin, Carl Herrmann, Signor Blitz, Robert Heller, Alexander Herrmann, Bautier de Kolta, Harry Kellar, 1

CONJURERS’ TRICKS AND STAGE ILLUSIONS.

Mysterious Disappearances. “Vanity Fair”, “After the Flood”, “The Magic Palanquin”, “Cassadaga Propaganda”, “The Appearing Lady”, “The Disappearing Lady”, “The Mysterious Trunk”, “The Indian Basket Trick”, “Decapitation”, “Spiritualistic Ties,” 27

Optical Tricks. The “Cabaret du Neant”, The Three-Headed Woman, “Amphitrite”, “The Mystery of Dr. Lynn”, “Black Art”, The Talking Head, The Living Half-Woman, “She”, “The Queen of Flowers”, The “Decapitated Princess”, “Stella”, Houdin’s Magic Cabinet, A Mystic Maze, Platinized Glass, Statue giving a Double Image

Miscellaneous Stage Tricks.