Mulholland's Book of Magic
by John Mulholland

Described by critic Edmund Wilson as "a topnotch magician-and one of the world's leading authorities on professional magic," John Mulholland was not only one of the most brilliant magicians of the 20th century, but at the time this book was first published, he was the only magician to be listed in Who's Who in America.

In this classic guide, he reveals many of his best-kept secrets, explaining what magic is and why it works, offering practical tips on practicing and how to avoid errors and stage fright.

At the heart of the text are detailed, easy-to-follow instructions for performing scores of tricks. Would-be magicians will soon be astounding friends, family and even large audiences with such card tricks as The Hungry Jackass-a feat that makes use of any easy memory device; seemingly extemporaneous tricks such as The Bread Winner, in which a coin vanishes and reappears inside a roll; tricks especially created to entertain youngsters; magical thought transference and other intriguing stunts such as Beelzebub's Letter, in which a letter mailed yesterday contains a coin borrowed today!

None of these tricks require sleight-of-hand; but you will need such common objects as a deck of cards coins, rings and string, paper napkins, matches and a dollar bill. Practitioners will find they can master some feats in just a few minutes after reading the instructions. Other tricks can be learned in an hour, or at most, after a few hours of practice.

Table of Contents for Mulholland's Book of Magic 1. MAGIC AND THE MAGICIAN
"What magic is, why it works, and the general principles a magician has to follow"
2. SUNDRY MYSTERIES
Extemporaneous magic with borrowed objects
THE FREELY SELECTED CARD
"Two methods of finding, and four ways of disclosing, the chosen card"
RINGS AND STRINGS
Instantaneous release of several finger rings tied with cords
MAGIC SPELLING
Three ways of showing that playing card can spell
CARD AUTOMATION
"Knowing which card was chosen, while seemingly doing nothing"
"COINS, PAPER NAPKINS, AND OLIVES"
"Coins disappear, torn paper napkins become whole, and olives change to lumps of sugar?all by the means of this single, simple trick"
3. TRICKY TRICKS
"Impromptu feats which stress laughs and surprise rather than mystery, many presented as challenges"
CAMEL AND THE NEEDLE'S EYES
Ways to prove holes in paper are larger than they appear
41¢ AND A BOTTLE
The magician alone can remove the paper from under the stack of coins
FALLING DOWN
Making a piece of paper fall at the same speed as a coin
THE SUBMARINE COIN
Only the magician fails to get wet
THE FRIENDLY CARDS
A card trick in which the spectator does everything
SPEED CONTEST
"Under the rules, only a magician can tear paper into thirds"
LIQUID SMOKE
Changing the quality of smoke
THE JUMPING ARROWS
Lines drawn on a card annoyingly move around
THE LITTLE INDIAN
A handkerchief is sculpted into an Indian head
ON THE MARK
The magician's aim is more accurate at dropping cards
PERFUME?ODOR
Prophecy by the sense of smell
4. SEEMINGLY EXTEMPORANEOUS MAGIC
"The spectators never know, but these effects require some prior preparation"
THE BREAD WINNER
A coin vanishes and reappears inside a roll
MONEY NO OBJECT
A dollar bill causes a quarter to make an invisible trip
HOT MONEY
Fire causes a coin to pierce a plate
SOME SNAP
A rubber band shows life as well as elasticity
"KIKERI, KIKERI, KI"
A sex detector
"ARCHES, LOOPS AND WHORLS"
Invisible fingerprints identify the owner's business card
WOOD OR METAL?
"It is wood through metal, or metal through wood?"
THE SPOOKY KEY
A key turns of its own volition
THE PIRATE AND THE STRO
The spectators always choose the wrong keys
5. THE HUNGRY JACKASS
"A method, depending on an easy memory device, by which the magician can perform a wide variety of amazing feats with playing cards"
TO KNOW WHICH CARD HAS BEEN SELECTED
TO KNOW BY SOUND WHICH CARD IS MISSING FROM THE DECK
TO KNOW HOW MANY CARDS ARE TAKEN FROM THE DECK
THE FORTUNE TELLING CARD
The deck discloses the selected cards
A CORRECT PROPHECY
The magician writes the name of the card to be chosen
DEALING THE WINNING HAND
"In either bridge or poker, the magician holds the best cards"
BY NUMBER
"How to know the numerical location, in the deck, of any card"
SHUFFLING THE DECK AND A TRICK IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
The trick which makes the others seem impossible
6. FURTHER MYSTERIES
Astounding tricks needing some preparation and several also requiring simple pieces of equipment
MATCHES ON PARADE
Paper matches are made to march
RETURN FIRE
Burnt matches after disappearing and reappearing can again be lighted
SCIENTIST'S DOLLAR DINNER
A food tablet and a dollar bill mysteriously change places
STRING FOR A PARCEL
Making two pieces of string into one long piece
BY THE SENSE OF TOUCH
"Without looking, the magician finds in the deck the three selected cards"
BEELZEBUB'S LETTER
A letter mailed yesterday contains a coin borrowed today
THE FLIGHT OF A COIN
A quarter disappears in flame and reappears inside an hermetically sealed package
7. EXCEPTIONAL MAGIC
Tricks of striking effects depending upon equipment easy to make
BOY AND BOX OF CANDY
The magical peregrinations of a box of candy make a delightful mystery
MAGIC DYE
The magician colors silk handkerchiefs for a skeptic audience
ANOTHER CENTURY
A silk handkerchief disappears and ties itself between two other silks
OBEDIENT COLORS
Painted wooden blocks mysteriously rearrange themselves in a pattern chosen by a spectator
BOTTOMLESS BOXES
"Where nothing is, nor could be, the magician discovers gifts for the audience"
8. ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN
Magic conforming to the more exacting requirements of the reasoning of childhood
"BALL, PAPER AND NOTHING"
"Obeying helpful signs, these objects change places"
TRAVELING ON A WISH
A small image makes a magical journey to enact a tale of ancient India
COIN AND CORD
"A coin, after disappearing, penetrates a bag, a ball of cord and a
FLYING SILK
A handkerchief travels invisibly
STRAWBERRY MILK
Plain milk changes by plucking the fruit
AN ADDITION TO KIKERI KIKERI KI
THREE TRICKS WITH CIGARS
ESP EASEL USED FOR A TRICK FOR MEN
ESP EASEL USED FOR A TRICK FOR CHILDREN
THE CIGARETTE CASE USED WITH A PREDICTION
TWO ADDITIONAL TRICKS WITH THE CASE
A TRICK WITH CARDS AND PENNIES
A TRICK WITH DOLLAR BILLS
A TRICK WITH WORDS
A CARD TRICK DEPENDING ONLY ON SIGHT
A TRICK WITH A BUSINESS CARD
THREE TRICKS BASED ON SCIENCE
13. CONCLUDING SECRETS
"Useful information for a magician; such as how to practice; what magic to show when, where and for whom; how to avoid errors and control stage fright; and further notes on properties, patter and people"

Pages 344 - Softbound, Illustrated