hillcountrymagic
$19.95
Condition Very Good
The Big Buck in Magic by The Amazing Maurice (Morris Cohen), published by Micky Hades in 1965, is a seminal "dollars-and-sense" guide for magicians looking to transition from hobbyists to high-earning professionals. Rather than teaching sleight-of-hand mechanics, this practical handbook focuses entirely on commercial market diversification and show business logistics.
Maurice lays out actionable blueprints for breaks into untapped, lucrative venues of the era, emphasizing that the real "big bucks" lie outside standard private birthday parties. The book is a deep dive into the business strategies, costuming, and psychological framing required to pitch and land gigs across various specialized markets:
Corporate & Commercial: Structuring trade show routines, chamber of commerce events, television appearances, industrial expos, and using magic as a sales promotion tool.
Community & Civic Markets: Navigating the school assembly circuit, PTA meetings, savings & loan institution promotions, and local picnics or office parties.
Specialized Hospitality: Working the unique constraints and high-reward environments of cruise ships, restaurants, and country clubs.
Niche Entertainment: Maximizing seasonal revenue through dedicated holiday bookings (Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day), "Sweet Sixteen" milestones, weddings, and even carnival or fortune-telling side-gigs.
Ultimately, the text serves as an operations manual on "silent salesmen" (marketing) and professional etiquette. It remains highly regarded by working pros for its raw, unfiltered look at the industry's realities—combining structural business advice with a strict list of professional "Don'ts" to ensure a performer stays bookable and profitable.
