hillcountrymagic
$35.00
Condition: Very Good
The Art of Close-up Magic (Volume 2) by Lewis Ganson, published in 1967 by Supreme Magic Company, is the companion volume to Ganson’s acclaimed 1968 first volume. Together, they form one of the most comprehensive multi-contributor surveys of 20th-century intimate, non-stage magic.
While Volume 1 relies heavily on cards, Volume 2 shifts focus toward close-up magic using everyday objects—coins, rings, ropes, paper clips, bills, and props—leveraging high-level mechanical technique, sleeving, and psychological misdirection.
Key Structural Breakdown & Chapters
1. Destroyed & Restored
Features routines built on the classic destruction and restoration plot. Highlights include Phoa Yan Tiong’s celebrated Cut & Restored Silk (where a silk is visually cut in half with scissors and restored) alongside clever burnt-bill and restored-cigarette-paper methods.
2. Three Rings for Dai Vernon
Lewis Ganson outlines a close-up, 3-ring adaptation of Dai Vernon’s famous Symphony of the Rings routine. It adapts large-stage linking ring mechanics for an intimate table setting without losing the visual grace of the original.
3. Mainly Mental
A collection of mentalism routines specifically designed for close-up performance, featuring mental predictions, book tests, and pseudo-psychometry (identifying personal items sealed in envelopes).
4. Novel Necromancy
Focuses on visual "bizarre" and novelty effects using unconventional props. Includes Al Spackman’s Miniature Rapping Hand, a miniature glass levitation, and Dai Vernon’s Chinese Matches.
5. Rink in Close-Up
Dedicated to the practical routines of Dutch magician J. Van Rinkhuyzen (Rink). Contains his famous Acrobatic Paper Clips, a simplified Chink-a-Chink coin routine, and a concise One Cup, Two Balls chop cup routine.
6. Bennett on Coins
Written with coin expert Horace Bennett, this section provides advanced coin work, including Dissimilar Coins Through Table and various coin exchanges/vanishes using change purses and Okito boxes.
7. The Magic Sleeves of David Berglas
One of the most famous treatises on close-up sleeving ever published. Master illusionist David Berglas details his gravity methods, timing, and mechanics for secretly sleeving pens, pocket knives, coins, tissue paper, and wands in real time.
8. A Session with Bobby Bernard
Features routines and sleights from top UK magic mentor Bobby Bernard. Highlights include the Bernard Switch, his coin routines Melted and Mirage, and School for Croupiers.
9. Two Classics & The Last Chapter
Covers deep dives into classic close-up utility tools, notably routines with the rising-card Devano Pack, the Egg Bag, and table gambling/ring tricks.
Significance in Magic Literature
Photographic Precision: Like Ganson's work on the Dai Vernon Book of Magic, this text is noted for step-by-step studio photographs that capture exact hand positions, finger placements, and angles.
Mastering Sleeving: Chapter 7 (The David Berglas section) alone made this volume required reading for close-up performers seeking to master sleeving techniques.
Everyday Props: It established that high-impact close-up magic does not rely exclusively on playing cards, pushing performers to utilize items found right on the table.
