hillcountrymagic
$28.00
Condition: Good
Originally published in 1929 and ghostwritten by prolific magic author (and creator of The Shadow) Walter B. Gibson, Harry Blackstone’s Secrets of Magic is one of the quintessential mainstream illusion guides of the early 20th century. The 1932 third printing, published during the height of Blackstone’s touring popularity, breaks down over 100 classic stage and parlor tricks—ranging from card and coin manipulation to sleight-of-hand routines, escape methods, and mentalism. The text emphasizes accessibility for amateur performers while offering clear structural diagrams, precise patter lines, and foundational principles of misdirection and audience psychology.
Beyond the mechanical breakdowns, the book served as a major marketing tool for "The Great Blackstone," whose elaborate stage show was one of the largest theatrical productions in America. Issued in trade cloth (often featuring iconic cover art depicting skeletons, bats, or magician silhouettes), the 1932 release remains a popular piece of vintage magic memorabilia. While missing the primary collector premium of the 1929 true first edition, early 1930s printings are still sought after by magic historians, prop collectors, and retro noir/pulp enthusiasts
