Nevil Maskelyne & David Devant – Our Magic

Two things are noteworthy. One?? it is a must read book for magic theory interested. Two?? it has a 20 page biographical index of card tricks. This includes sleights as well. Anybody doing research on card moves or routines should have this index. It makes searching a lot easier. And this index might point you to interesting books you have not heard about or which are not in your possession. This book was rated one of the ten basic books for a working library of conjuring by H. Adrian Smith?? historian?? collector and owner of the largest private magic library in his time. Other books in this top 10 list are

The Art of Magicby T. Nelson Downs
The Expert at the Card Tableby S.W. Erdnase
Magicians’ Tricksby Henry Hatton and Adrian Plate
Modern Magicby Prof. Hoffmann
More Magicby Prof. Hoffmann
Later Magicby Prof. Hoffmann
The Modern Conjurerby C. Lang Neil
Tarbell Courseby Harlan Tarbell
Greater Magic by John Northern Hilliard

Table of Contents

• I?? The Real Secrets of Magic
• II?? The Three Degrees in Art
• III?? Unity
• IV?? Consistency
• V?? Justification
• VI?? Surprise and Repetition
• VII?? Effects of Transition
• VIII?? Climax
• IX?? Presentation
• X?? Rehearsal
• XI?? Speed in Presentation
• XII?? Patter
• XIII?? Stage Manner and Personality
• XIV?? Mental Attitude
• XV?? The Importance of Artistic Principles

PART II?? THE THEORY OF MAGIC by Nevil Maskelyne

• I?? Terminology
• II?? General Analysis
• III?? Misdirection
• IV?? Styles of Magic
• V?? Manipulative Principles

1. VI?? Principles of Mental Magic
2. VII?? Mechanical Principles
3. VIII?? Optical Principles
4. IX?? Acoustic Principles
5. X?? Electrical Principles
6. XI?? Chemical and Molecular Principles
7. XII?? Magical Inventions