hillcountrymagic
$46.85
Condition: Very Good
The Art of Close-Up Magic, Volume 1, authored by Lewis Ganson and published by Supreme Magic, is widely considered a cornerstone anthology of intimate, sleight-of-hand performance literature. Famous for famously omitting card tricks entirely, the volume concentrates on an expansive variety of everyday and specialized props—ranging from coins, rings, and ropes to Okito boxes, sponge balls, and color-changing knives. Beyond mechanical trick explanations, Ganson frames the routines around foundational theory, devoting the opening material to audience management, performance psychology, venue sizing, and economy of motion. Dennis Patten’s detailed line illustrations complement the precise text, rendering complex manipulations accessible to close-up practitioners.
The volume draws heavily from the repertoires of master mid-century magicians, preserving routines from luminaries such as Dai Vernon, Slydini, Ross Bertram, John Ramsay, and Fred Kaps. Notable featured routines include classic hand-to-hand coin transpositions, the Shell Game, intricate Okito box sequences, and original handling techniques for the Jardine Ellis Ring. By compiling these diverse micro-illusions alongside practical presentational wisdom, Volume 1 established a standard for close-up magical literature, shifting the focus from simple gimmickry to refined, natural-looking technique.
