The Art of Magic

Written by America's most famous card and coin manipulator, The Art of Magic is not for the beginner, but rather for the advanced amateur and the professional magician who seeks to climb the ladder of magical excellence. Contained in this work are the secrets to no less than 122 effects, all containing principles and applications which are limited only by the reader's imagination. Downs shares the secrets of his internationally-famous "Miser's Dream" coin production, provides advice on prop construction, and detailed instructions for the slight-of-hand techniques with coins, cards, billiard balls, eggs and other everyday items for which he became renown. This masterpiece of magic instruction is a must-have for any serious magician. This edition has been completely reset and contains all the original illustrations. Thomas Nelson Downs (1867-1938) was one of the most famous manipulative magicians of the twentieth century. His speciality was coins, and his related act, containing the famous "Miser's Dream," was a massive hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Contents: Introductory Chapter I: Flourishes and Fancy Sleights with Cards Chapter II: Card Tricks with Unprepared Cards and Not Requiring Sleight Of Hand Chapter III: Card Tricks Involving Sleight Of Hand Chapter IV: Sleight Of Hand with Cards, Continued Chapter VI: Card Tricks Based On a New and Original System of Locating a Chosen Card Chapter VII: Clairvoyance with Cards Chapter VIII: Series of Card Tricks Based On a New and Original System Chapter IX: The Rising Cards Chapter XI: Card Tricks with Apparatus and In Combination with Other Objects Chapter XIII: Coin Tricks With and Without Apparatus Chapter XIV: A Coin Act and a Coin Ladder Chapter XV: Tricks of the Trade Chapter XVI: Tricks with Eggs Chapter XVII: Tricks with Balls Chapter XVIII: Miscellaneous Tricks Index of Tricks