[MyMagic] Real History

Meir’s Muses
MyMagic eNewsletter #1,289
March 26, 2025

Although most of us are aware of regional magic history, the history during our lifetime, and of our specific interests in magic. Almost none of us are aware of the history of magic from around the world and throughout ancient times. There has never been a more thorough and eye-opening set of books that look at the real history of magic worldwide. This book set was a massive undertaking with more than 1,250 pages and more than 400 color photographs. You will love owning this two-book set, browsing through it, and even reading and learning from it.

There used to be a very popular TV commercial in the 1970-80s whose tag line was, “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.” Well, the endorsements of this book come from the people in magic that we should all listen to. I included a few at the end of the ad copy and in the trailer. I cannot recommend this set of books more highly.

►A History Of The Art Of Conjuring:

Almost a century in the making, appearing for the first time in book form, and the first time in English is Kurt Volkmann’s A History of the Art of Conjuring which is considered one of the most important works on the subject.

Volume One: Offers an in-depth examination of performance magic through the ages, from antiquity and the earliest sources documenting magical performers to modern times and Europe’s most accomplished stage conjurers. Kurt Volkmann’s rich prose guides readers through a wealth of manuscripts, books, newspapers and artwork in over a dozen languages to present an insightful exploration of what magic has meant to magicians and their audiences over the centuries.

Volume Two: Volkmann focuses his keen analytical skills on individual countries and the texts and performers associated with them. Familiar names and stories from across Europe and beyond are viewed afresh, while the repertoires and motivations of lesser-known practitioners are teased out and discussed at length. Volume Two also includes eleven appendices presenting new findings about the sources and magicians Volkmann discusses, as well as a vast Bibliography and an exhaustive Index. This is a magic-history book like no other.

First time available in English is Kurt Volkmann’s complete “Geschichte der Zauberkunst” series. Translated into English by Lori Pieper and Maxwell Pritchard and limited to only 1,000 numbered sets. 1,260-total-pages with 432-color-photographs, printed on archival paper, with foil-stamped cloth binding and sewn signatures, and housed in a luxury slipcase. Published by Conjuring Arts Research Center in 2023.

Watch And buy: HERE

►Total Destiny:

You display a specially designed plastic board with a large grid filled with apparently random numbers. 

A spectator names any of the numbers (free choice). It is circled and some of the numbers around it are erased. A second and third spectator each call out a number (free choice) and they too are circled and the numbers around them erased. One un-circled number is now left on the board, and it becomes your free selection.

You add up the four freely selected numbers. The total matches your prediction with 100% accuracy.

Total Destiny can be repeated with an unlimited number of totals.

Watch and buy: HERE

►Roy Benson By Starlight:

Close-Up magicians know Roy Benson as the creator of the classic Benson Bowl Routine, stage magicians likely know him as the inventor of the Long Salt Pour, but probably don’t realize that they are using his techniques, routines, and bits for the Chinese Sticks, Miser’s Dream, Linking Rings, Multiplying Billiard Balls, and much more.

This is a monumental book that looks at his life, his career, his magic, his comedy, and so much more. In addition to the new unearthed information and essays the book reprints the very rare “Benson On Magic” booklet and his previously unpublished book “The Second Oldest Profession.” There are more than fifty effects, routines and sleights explained in detail.

Watch and buy: HERE

►OUR LATEST RELEASE:

►Keys To Magic’s Inner World:

This book is a window into the history of magic collecting in the United States. You will learn about the earliest collectors and collections as they evolved and morphed into the present industry.

You visit the magic museums and private collections of leaders in this fascinating fellowship across America. Many collections occupy only two or three shelves, a few scrapbooks or a drawer in the owner’s home, while others engulf homes, warehouses, and private museums.

Being a collector is mostly the pleasure of hunting and victory! Collectibles have soared in value. This book offers guidance in choices you can’t afford to miss.

The book also includes many new photographs of collections and collectors that have come into existence or expanded in the last quarter of the century.

Watch and buy: HERE

►eBay Auctions:

I spent two days adding around 40 items to my eBay auctions. It is a weird mix of stuff from an escape artist, comics, many magic tricks I am sure you never knew existed, and one of the autographed Lee Falk Comics I mentioned previously. All auctions will expire on Sunday afternoon and evening, New York time.

►A direct link to the auctions: HERE

►A direct link to my eBay store: HERE

►UPCOMING APPEARANCES:

►APRIL 13: Spinnato’s Comedy Magic Show at Comix @ Mohegan Sun Casino in CT. Tickets: HERE

►APRIL 23-26: Appearing and displaying at the 4F Magic Convention in Buffalo, NY. Info: HERE

To view all my upcoming appearances go: HERE

Stay happy, Meir

PS: My Keys To Magic’s Inner World book is now available on Amazon worldwide, if you search for the title. In the US you can get it: HERE

“The problem with you humans is that you worry about things that may never happen.”
…Ray Walston, The Martian (My Favorite Martian, 1963)