100 IMPORTANT BOOKS

Of THE 20th CENTURY

From Magic, Inc.

This is a list of books that I think are the most important books published in the 20th
Century. At one time I tried to conduct a survey of various magicians dealing with books,
but this proved to be impossible. So with some thought, I developed the list on my own.
There are several criteria that were used in the selection process:

1) The book had to be first published between 1900 and 1999. (I am aware that the actual
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century is from 1901 and 2000, but using 1900 to 1999 has a symmetry to it.) So a book
published in 1890, translated into English and published in 1910 would not make the list.
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2) No reprints were to be used. Thus a book published in 1850 and then a new edition
published in 1920 would not make the list.
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3) The book had to be in English. It could be an English translation, but the original book
had to be published in the 20th century.

4) If the book is in a series, then the series would count as one book. Thus the Tarbell
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Course is one book entry as is the four books on Dai Vernon published by L & L.

Here is my list for the most important and influential books published in English in the
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20th Century:
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Abbott, David P. Behind the Scenes of a Medium.

Chicago: Open Court Publishing, 1912

Allerton, Bert. Close Up Magician.

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Chicago: Magic, Inc., 1958

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Ammar, Michael. A Manual of Magic Psychology.
Ammar, Michael, 1980

Anderson, George. It Must Be Mind Reading.

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Chicago: Magic, Inc., 1949

Anderson, Gene & Newspaper Magic.

Frances Marshall. Chicago: Magic, Inc.,1968

Annemann, Theordore. 202 Methods of Forcing.

New York: Max Holden, 1933

Annemann, Theordore. Jinx. (3 Vols)

 Brooklyn, New York: D. Robbins, 1963

Annemann, Theordore. Practical Mental Effects.

New York: Max Holden, 1944

Armstrong, Bruce ed. Encyclopedia of Supensions & Levitations.

Alberta, Canada: Micky Hades, 1976

Baker, Al. Magical Ways and Means.

Minneapolis, MN: Carl Waring Jones, 1941

Baker, Al. Pet Secrets.

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Minneapolis, MN: Carl Waring Jones, 1951

Bamberg, Theodore. Okito on Magic.

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Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc., 1962

Bobo, J. B. Modern Coin Magic.

Minneapolis, MN: Carl W. Jones, 1952
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Burger, Eugene. Experience of Magic.

Washington, DC: Kaufman & Greenberg,
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1989

Burger, Eugene & Magic & Meaning.

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Robert Neil. Seattle, WA: Hermetic Press, 1994
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Burger, Eugene. Performance of Close-up Magic.

Washington, DC: Kaufman & Greenberg,
1987
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Burger, Eugene. Secrets & Mysteries for the Close up

Entertainer.
Chicago, IL: Philip R. Willmarth, 1982
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Burger, Eugene. Spirit Theatre.

Washington, DC: Kaufman & Greenberg,
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1986

Chavez, Marian. Encyclopedia of Dove Magic.

Brooklyn, New York: D. Robbins, 1979

Christopher, Melbourne. Illustrated History of Magic.

New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1973

Clarke, Sidney. Annuals of Conjuring.

 London: George Johnson, 1929

Close, Michael. Workers. (5 Vols)

Michael Close, 1990 +

Corinda, Tony. Thirteen Steps to Mentialism.

Brooklyn, New York: Thomas W. Simpson,
1960

Devant, David. Secrets of My Magic.

London: Hutchinson & Co., 1936
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Dewey, Herb. Psycho Babble.

Herb Dewey, 1996
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Downs, T. Nelson. Modern Coin Manipulation.
London: Downs Magical Co., 1900

______________. The Art of Magic.

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Buffalo: Downs Edward Co, 1909

Elliott, Bruce / Phoenix. (4 Vols / 2 Vols)

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Jay Marshall. Brooklyn, New York/ Chicago:

Tannens / Magic, Inc, 1942+
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Erdnase, S. W. Expert at the Card Table.
Chicago: Fredrick Drake,1902
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Fitzkee, Dariel . Magic by Misdirection.

Pamerory OH: Lee Jacobs, 1944
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Fitzkee, Dariel . Showmanship for Magician.

Pamerory OH: Lee Jacobs, 1943
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Fitzkee, Dariel. Trick Brain.

Pamerory OH: Lee Jacobs, 1944
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Fulves, Karl. Magicical World of Slydini.

Brooklyn, New York: D. Robbins, 1979

Fulves, Karl. The Best of Slydini.

Brooklyn, New York: D. Robbins, 1976

Ganson, Lewis. Art of Close-Up Magic. (2 Vols)

London: Harry Stanley, n/d
Ganson, Lewis. Dai Vernon Book of Magic.
London: Harry Stanley, 1965

Ganson, Lewis. Dai Vernon’s Further Inner Secrets of Card

Magic.
London: Harry Stanley, 1978

Ganson, Lewis. Dai Vernon’s Inner Secrets of Card Magic.

London: Harry Stanley, 1959

Ganson, Lewis. Dai Vernon’s More Inner Secrets of Card

Magic.
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London: Harry Stanley, 1960

Ganson, Lewis. Dai Vernon’s Ultimate Secrets of Card Magic.

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London: Supreme Magic Company, 1976

Ganson, Lewis. Magic of Slydini.

London: Supreme Magic Company n/d
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Gardner, Martin. Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic.

Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc. 1978
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Gibson, Walter B. Houdini’s Escapes & Magic.

New York: Blue Ribbon Books, 1930
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Ginn, David. Kid Biz.

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Scarlett Green Publishers, 1982

Giobbi, Roberto. Card College. (5 Vols)

Seattle, WA: Hermetic Press, 1995-98
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Goldstein, Phil. Verbal Control.

Phil Goldstein, 1976
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____________. Color Series (5 Vols)

Phil Goldstein, 1970
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Gresham, William Lindsay. Houdini, Man Who Walked thru Walls.

New York: Henry Holt, 1959

Harbin, Robert. Magic of Robert Harbin.

Robert Harbin, 1970

Hatton , Henry Magician’s Tricks.

& Adrian Plate. New York: The Century, 1910
Hay, Henry. Cyclopedia of Magic.
New York: David McKay Company, 1949.

Hilliard, John Northern Greater Magic.

Washington, DC: Carl W. Jones, 1938

Holden, Max. Programs of Famous Magicians.

Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc., 1937

Hugard, Jean. Encyclopedia of Card Tricks.

New York, NY: Max Holden, 1937
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Hugard, Jean Expert Card Technique.

and Frederick Braue. New York, NY: Max Holden, 1940
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Hugard, Jean Royal Road to Card Magic.

and Frederick Braue London: Faber & Faber, 1949
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Ireland, L. L. Ireland Writes a Book .

Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc.1932
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James, Stewart. Abbott’s Encyclopedia of Rope. (3 Vols)

Colon, MI: Abbott’s Magic Company
1941- 1980
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Jay, Ricky. Learned Pigs & Fireproof Woman.

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Warner Books ,1986

Kaplan, George. Fine Art of Magic.

New York: Fleming Books, 1948
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Kaufman, Richard. David Roth’s Expert Coin Magic.

Washington, DC: Kaufman & Greenberg
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1985

Kaufman, Richard. Secrets of Brother John Hamman.

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Washington, DC: Kaufman & Greenberg

1989

Kaufman, Richard. Show Time at the Tom Foolery.

Washington, DC: Kaufman & Greenberg
1992

Larson, William. Mental Mysteriers and Other Writings of W. Larson Sr.

Los Angeles: Genii Publishing, 1977
Leech, Al. Don’t Look Now.
Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc., 1948

Marlo, Edward. Cardician.

Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc, 1953

Marlo, Edward. Revolutionary Card Technique. (13 Vols)

Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc. 1957 +

Marshall, Frances. The Sponge Book.

Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc., 1960.
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Marshall, Frances. Kid Stuff. (6 Vols)

Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc. 1958 +
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Marshall, Frances. Success Book. (4 Vols)

Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc. 1973
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Maskelyne, Nevil Our Magic.

& David Devant. London: Routledge, 1911
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Mentzer, Jerry. Magic with Finger Rings.

Jerry Mentzer, 1984
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Minch, Stephen, Vernon Chronicles. (4 Vols)
Keith Burns CA: L & L Publishing
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& Bruce Cerven. 1987-1992

Neil, C. Lang. Modern Conjures.

New York: Lippincott, 1902
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Nelms, Henning. Magic & Showmanship.

New York: Dover, 1969
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Novak, John. Art of Escape. (8 Vols)

Micky Hades, 1989 +
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Ortiz, Darwin. Strong Magic.

Silver Spring, MD: Kaufaman and Greenberg, 1994

Rice, Harold. Encyclopidia of Silk Magic. (4 Vols)

Wynnewood, PA: Silk King Studios
1948-1962

Schnieder, Al. Schnieder on Zombie.

 Goldshadow Industries, 1981

Sharpe, Sam H. Conjurer’s Hydraulic & Pneumatic Secrets.

Alberta, Canada: Micky Hades, 1991

Sharpe, Sam H. Conjurer’s Mechanical Secrets.

Alberta, Canada: Micky Hades, 1992

Sharpe, Sam H. Conjurer’s Optical Secrets.

Alberta, Canada: Micky Hades, 1985

Sharpe, Sam H. Conjurer’s Psychological Secrets.

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Alberta, Canada: Micky Hades, 1988

Sharpe, Sam H. Neo Magic.

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London: George Johnson, 1932

Starke, George. Stars of Magic.

New York: Tannen, 1961
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Steinmeyer, Jim. Device & Illusion.

Burbank, CA: Hahne Books, 1991
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Steinmeyer, Jim. Jarrett.

Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc., 1981
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Steranko Steranko On Cards

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Chicago, IL: Magic, Inc. 1960

Tamariz , Juan. Five Points of Magic.

Madrid, Spain: Editorial Frakson, 1988
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Tamariz , Juan . Magic Way.

Madrid, Spain: Editorial Frakson,1989
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Tarbell , Harlan. Tarbell Course. (8 Vols)

Brooklyn, New York: D. Robbins, 1941-1993
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Victor, Edward. Magic of the Hands.

New York: Max Holden, 1937

Victor, Edward. More Magic of the Hands.

London: Davenport, 1942

Victor, Edward. Further Magic of the Hands.

New York: Max Holden, 1946
Waters , T. A. Mind, Myth and Magic.
Seattle, WA, Hermetic Press, 1993

Wels , Byron G. Greater Illusions of Magic.

Brooklyn, New York: D. Robbins, 1977

Willmarth , Philip Reed. Jim Ryan Series. (4 Vols)

Philip R. Willmarth, 1981 +

Willmarth , Philip Reed. Magic of Matt Schulien.

Chicago, IL, Magic, Inc, 1959
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Wilson , Mark. Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic.

Running Press, 1975
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Wonder , Tommy. Books of Wonder. (2 Vols)

Seattle, WA: Hermetic Press, 1996
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