{"product_id":"our-magic-by-maskelyne-devant-2nd-ed-1946-hc","title":"Our Magic by Maskelyne \u0026 Devant 2nd Ed. 1946 HC","description":"\u003cp\u003eCondition: Good\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOur Magic: The Art in Magic, The Theory of Magic, The Practice of Magic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e by Nevil Maskelyne and David Devant is widely recognized as one of the foundational masterpieces of theatrical magic literature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirst 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBook Structure \u0026amp; Core Overview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe work is split into three distinct, complementary sections written by two legendary figures in magic history:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePart I: The Art in Magic (Nevil Maskelyne)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFocuses on aesthetics, stagecraft, presentation, and dramatic structure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaskelyne 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe Three Degrees in Art: Examines high art, normal art, and lower forms of performance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDramatic Principles: Establishes essential rules of routine design:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eUnity \u0026amp; Consistency: Every element of an act must belong together; unmotivated actions destroy illusion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eJustification: Every movement, prop, or word must have a logical reason within the performance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSurprise, Climax, and Repetition: How to build tension and avoid repeating a trick in a way that reveals its secret.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePatter \u0026amp; Personality: Developing an authentic stage manner, proper timing, speed, and effective dialogue\/monologue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePart II: The Theory of Magic (Nevil Maskelyne)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFocuses on the scientific classification, terminology, and mechanics of magic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaskelyne systematically classifies the theoretical and physical methods behind illusions to give magicians a structured framework for creation and analysis.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTerminology \u0026amp; Misdirection: Standardizes magical terms and provides a deep breakdown of psychological misdirection (directing audience attention and perception).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eScientific Foundations: Categorizes the physical principles used in illusions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eManipulative and Mental Principles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMechanical, Optical, Acoustic, Electrical, Chemical, and Molecular Principles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMagical Inventions: Discusses the ethics, mechanics, and process of inventing original illusions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePart III: The Practice of Magic (David Devant)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDemonstrates Maskelyne’s theories in action using 12 of Devant's master routines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDavid 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:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1. With Playing Cards: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"The Triangle\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (A classic stage card routine + bibliographical index)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2. With Billiard Balls: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Multiplication\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (Famous manipulation routine praised for its clarity)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3. With Figures: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Simple Addition\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (A slate-and-number illusion)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4. With a Borrowed Watch: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"The Forgotten Guest\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5. With a Borrowed Handkerchief: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"A Lesson in Magic\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (Torn \u0026amp; Restored Handkerchief \/ Sun \u0026amp; Moon)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6. With Bells: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Homing Bells\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7. With Flags: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"The National Colours\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8. With Liquids: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"The Three Vases\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (Visible separation of colored liquids)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9. With a Rabbit, Ball, and Hats: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"The Silver Ball\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10. With Fish and Letters: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"The Educated Fish\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e11. With Doves and Rats: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"The Point of View\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e12. With a Canary and Target: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"The Phoenix\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Takeaways \u0026amp; Historical Significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eArt over Apparatus: Secrets and mechanics are cheap; performance, framing, and psychology create real magic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eStandardization: It was among the first books to establish formal terminology and theoretical principles for magic, bridging science and theatre.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"hillcountrymagic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43864131469371,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/7751\/1995\/files\/BD8F9EEF-25D7-4E63-9E1E-AEED6013E8B7.jpg?v=1785032017","url":"https:\/\/hillcountrymagic.com\/products\/our-magic-by-maskelyne-devant-2nd-ed-1946-hc","provider":"hillcountrymagic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}