First Edition December 1992

Conjuring is an illustrated book by James Randi. Randi gives a detailed history of conjuring, more commonly known as magic, said to be the world’s second oldest profession. It includes detailed portraits of conjurors, including:

Harry Blackstone, Sr.,
Harry Blackstone, Jr.,
Harry Houdini and his entourage,
Howard Thurston,
Robert Heller,
Joe Berg,
and others.

Randi explains the history of famous magic tricks like the Rabbit from a hat, Bullet catch, and the Indian rope trick.

Contents:

ix An Apology
xi Introduction

1 1 In the Beginning . . .
10 2 A Rabbit from a Hat & The Fabulous Indian Rope Trick
17 3 Conjuring in Early Europe
28 4 The American Philadelphia, Professor Pinetti, & L’Escamoteur Philippe
37 5 Anderson, Wonderful Wizard of the North
46 6 Robert-Houdin, the Innovator
52 7 Conjuring in the New World: The Brothers Davenport &. Their Spirit Cabinet
57 8 Melies the Moviemaker
60 9 The Maskelyne Dynasty
68 10 The Ubiquitous Herrmanns
73 11 Catching Bullets
78 12 Chung Ling Soo, the Marvelous Chinese Conjuror
90 13 Lafayette, the Quick-Change Artist, & the Boscos
96 14 Hofzinser, the Great Amateur, & Robert Heller, Musician-Magician
100 15 Horace Goldin’s Buzz Saw & The Comedians de Mepihisto Co.
107 16 Kellar, the Man Who Spoke with Devils, & Thurston, King of Cards
122 17 The Two Dantes
127 18 The Bamberg Family
139 19 The Two Blackstones
152 20 Sorcar and Gogia Pasha of India
156 21 Houdini, the Elusive American
176 22 The Richiardis
178 23 The Mandrakes
181 24 The Self-Liberators
194 25 The Manipulators
198 26 The Mentalists
231 27 The Pickpockets
236 28 The Children’s Entertainers and the Street Workers
244 29 Far Eastern Wonders, Then and Now
254 30 Modern Wizards

292 Special Thanks
293 Definitions of Some Terms Used in Magic and Stage Work
297 Bibliography
299 A List of Magicians, Then and Now
303 A List of Magic Dealers
306 A List of Magical Periodicals and Organizations
307 Index
313 About the Author