$80 · Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic (Hardcover, 1988, 8th Printing)

Master illusionist Mark Wilson has compiled the most comprehensive magic "teach-in" ever assembled. The secrets to more than 300 classic tricks-from sleight of hand to levitation-are carefully explained in this 503-page volume. It's all here: Card Magic, Coin Magic, Rope Magic, Mental Magic, Make-at-Home Magic, Sponge Ball Magic, Billiard Ball Magic, Cups and Balls Magic, and Magical Illusions. Mark Wilson devoted more than two years of research, writing, and technical preparation to this book. More than 50,000 still photographs were taken of the detailed execution of the tricks considered worthy to include in this course, and these photographs were edited and converted into hundreds of simplified line drawings. The straightforward text follows Mark Wilson's "step method" of magic instruction, the same method he has used to teach magic to Tony Curtis, Telly Savalas, Bill Bixby, Dick Van Dyke, Peter Faulk, Bernadette Peters, John Denver, and other professional entertainers. It's thoroughness makes Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic especially recommended for the beginner with absolutely no experience in magic. At the same time, its scope and depth has earned this book a place in the libraries of many of today's most accomplished magicians, professional and amature alike! ----- DEDICATION Gratefully dedicated to two lovely and loving individuals without whom this would never have been written. My beautiful mother, Teta, for initially obvious reasons, but also for her continuing inspiration, and ... My beautiful wife, Nani, who has given up so much ... so that another prop could be purchased ... another illusion built ... another show successfully presented ... another step taken in a journey toward some luminous, unknown goal ... ... and in the process has managed to raise our two fine sons, Mike and Greg, and make it all worthwhile. If my magic were but real ----- Dear Student: Welcome to the WONDERFUL WORLD OF MAGIC! In the following pages I sincerely believe that you will find the best illustrated, most easily understood, and most completely developed method ever produced for learning the Art of Magic. All of the material was carefully selected, then written, rewritten, checked, and rewritten again. Over 50,000 photographs were shot - from these over 2,000 of the best were selected and then rendered as the line drawings which illustrate every move in the Course. As you will see, most of the tricks have been divided into the following sections: EFFECT - This is what the spectator sees - the mystery - the miracle - as performed by you, the magician. SECRET AND PREPARATION - Describes the props that you will need, and the secret of how they work. Many of the items needed have either been included or can be found around the house. METHOD - This is the actual performance, explaining how you present the trick to the audience. COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS - These are extra tips, suggestions, and ideas that will help you make each trick even more baffling and entertaining. As you read and learn these great secrets, please remember and follow these four important rules: (1) NEVER explain how a trick is done. If the audience knows the secret, then the mystery, the glamor, and the entertainment of the magic are lost. (2) NEVER explain what you are going to do ahead of time. If the audience doesn't know what's going to happen, they won't know what to look for in advance and are much more likely to be baffled. (3) NEVER repeat a trick for the same spectators. Once an audience has seen a trick performed, they have a much greater chance of "catching on." (4) The most important rule of all: ALWAYS PRACTICE EACH TRICK BEFORE YOU PRESENT IT. Read the instructions. Practice with the props - in front of a mirror, if possible. When you can perform the effect smoothly and without hesitation, you are ready! I personally think magic is not only the most fascinating of all forms of entertainment but also the most satisfying hobby there is. I hope you will have great fun baffling your friends and entertaining audiences with some of the finest magic effects in the world. Magically yours, Mark Wilson