hillcountrymagic
$70.00
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Our Magic: The Art in Magic, The Theory of Magic, The Practice of Magic by Nevil Maskelyne and David Devant is widely recognized as one of the foundational masterpieces of theatrical magic literature.
First published in 1911 and re-released in its famous 2nd Edition (1946, Fleming Book Company, Hardcover), the book elevated magic from a collection of "tricks and puzzles" to a recognized branch of fine art governed by rigorous aesthetic and scientific principles.
Book Structure & Core Overview
The work is split into three distinct, complementary sections written by two legendary figures in magic history:
Part I: The Art in Magic (Nevil Maskelyne)
Focuses on aesthetics, stagecraft, presentation, and dramatic structure.
Maskelyne argues that a trick itself is merely hardware or a tool (comparable to a painter's brushes or an actor's makeup). The real art lies in how the illusion is crafted into a dramatic experience.
The Three Degrees in Art: Examines high art, normal art, and lower forms of performance.
Dramatic Principles: Establishes essential rules of routine design:
Unity & Consistency: Every element of an act must belong together; unmotivated actions destroy illusion.
Justification: Every movement, prop, or word must have a logical reason within the performance.
Surprise, Climax, and Repetition: How to build tension and avoid repeating a trick in a way that reveals its secret.
Patter & Personality: Developing an authentic stage manner, proper timing, speed, and effective dialogue/monologue.
Part II: The Theory of Magic (Nevil Maskelyne)
Focuses on the scientific classification, terminology, and mechanics of magic.
Maskelyne systematically classifies the theoretical and physical methods behind illusions to give magicians a structured framework for creation and analysis.
Terminology & Misdirection: Standardizes magical terms and provides a deep breakdown of psychological misdirection (directing audience attention and perception).
Scientific Foundations: Categorizes the physical principles used in illusions:
Manipulative and Mental Principles
Mechanical, Optical, Acoustic, Electrical, Chemical, and Molecular Principles
Magical Inventions: Discusses the ethics, mechanics, and process of inventing original illusions.
Part III: The Practice of Magic (David Devant)
Demonstrates Maskelyne’s theories in action using 12 of Devant's master routines.
David Devant—regarded as one of the greatest performing magicians of all time—provides detailed breakdowns of complete stage routines, including full patter, staging, misdirection cues, and technical mechanics:
1. With Playing Cards: "The Triangle" (A classic stage card routine + bibliographical index)
2. With Billiard Balls: "Multiplication" (Famous manipulation routine praised for its clarity)
3. With Figures: "Simple Addition" (A slate-and-number illusion)
4. With a Borrowed Watch: "The Forgotten Guest"
5. With a Borrowed Handkerchief: "A Lesson in Magic" (Torn & Restored Handkerchief / Sun & Moon)
6. With Bells: "Homing Bells"
7. With Flags: "The National Colours"
8. With Liquids: "The Three Vases" (Visible separation of colored liquids)
9. With a Rabbit, Ball, and Hats: "The Silver Ball"
10. With Fish and Letters: "The Educated Fish"
11. With Doves and Rats: "The Point of View"
12. With a Canary and Target: "The Phoenix"
Key Takeaways & Historical Significance
Art over Apparatus: Secrets and mechanics are cheap; performance, framing, and psychology create real magic.
Standardization: It was among the first books to establish formal terminology and theoretical principles for magic, bridging science and theatre.
The 1946 Fleming Edition: Edited and published in hardcover after WWII by Paul Fleming, this 2nd edition polished the original text, corrected errata, and added detailed indices, making it the definitive reference version for modern performers.
