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Secrets of Famous Illusionists by William Goldston

Name: Secrets of Famous Illusionists William Goldston | Magic Trick Collection
Brand: Will Goldston
Price: 5.95 USD
Availability: InStock

Published 1933, republished 1971, 305 Pages

The Secrets of Famous Illusionists author by William Goldston is noted as the most revealing book for magicians and their secrets ever published.

The Secrets of Famous Illusionists William Goldston is a landmark 1933 book written by Will Goldston, one of England’s most prolific magic authors and the founder of the Magicians’ Club. The book is highly celebrated in the magic community for pulling back the curtain on the intimate private lives, stage dynamics, and secret engineering behind the golden age’s greatest performers.

Core Highlights & Exposed Secrets – Secrets of Famous Illusionists William Goldston

Rather than showing malice, Goldston used the book to pay homage to the sheer brilliance of his peers by explaining the exact mechanics of legendary illusions:

Chung Ling Soo’s Fatal Trick: Goldston reveals the exact mechanical breakdown of the altered rifle used in the infamous bullet-catching illusion that tragically killed William Ellsworth Robinson (performing as the Chinese magician Chung Ling Soo) on a London stage.
The Truth About Houdini: The book features several chapters dedicated to Harry Houdini, detailing Goldston’s personal friendship with him, Houdini’s obsession with publicity, and the mechanics behind his escape challenges.
The Great Lafayette: Goldston debunks popular legends surrounding the tragic death of Sigmund Neuberger (The Great Lafayette), who perished alongside his illusion team in a horrific theatre fire in Edinburgh.
De Kolta’s Vanishing Lady: It exposes the mechanical secret behind Buatier de Kolta’s paradigm-shifting illusion where a woman seated in a chair seemingly disappears into thin air.
The Zancigs’ Mentalism Code: Goldston explicitly breaks down the highly complex and brilliant two-person thought-reading code used by Julius and Agnes Zancig to mystify global audiences.

CONTENTS – Secrets of Famous Illusionists William Goldston

Foreword
Chapter I The Truth About Chung Ling Soo
Chapter II The Romantic Story Of Carl Hertz
Chapter III The Great Lafayette – The Most Hated Magician
Chapter IV Maskelyne And The Psycho Sensation
Chapter V Houdini As I Knew Him
Chapter VI Did Houdini Fail?
Chapter VII Some More New Facts About Houdini
Chapter VII De Kolta’s “Vanishing Lady” Secret
Chapter IX The Truth About The Indian Rope Trick
Chapter X Tricks Of Bogus Mediums
Chapter XI Why I Am A Spiritualist
Chapter XII Mediums I Have Sat With
Chapter XIII Magic And Crime
Chapter XIV The Great Kellar
Chapter XV Howard Thurston’s Rise To Riches
Chapter XVI The Zancigs And Their Brilliant Thought-Reading Code
Chapter XVII How Zomah Delayed A Murder
Chapter XVIII David Devant – Master Magician
Chapter XIX A King Of Modern Conjurers
Chapter XX A Medley Of Magicians
Chapter XXI My Magical Life
Chapter XXII “The Man Who Made Ice Famous”
Chapter XXIII An Undertaker’s Interruption
Chapter XXIV The Prince Who Stabbed His Partner
Chapter XXV Ceeley And The Naked Lady
Chapter XXVI Dante’s “Disappearing Lady”
Chapter XXVII The Handcuffed Clergyman – An Escape That Went Wrong
Chapter XXVIII A Conjurer’s Rapid Courtship
Chapter XXIX Muller The Mystic
Chapter XXX Dilemma Of A Parliamentary Magician
Chapter XXXI The Cornells And Their Ghastly Publicity Stunt
Chapter XXXII Wishart And The Corpse
Chapter XXXIII The Tragedy Of Hanco
Chapter XXXIV The £ S. D. Of Magic
Chapter XXXV Miscellaneous Magic

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A note on quality: These are digital scans of original vintage material, much of it 60+ years old, so quality reflects the condition of the source item. Because this is a digital product, all sales are final and refunds are not available.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'Secrets of Famous Illusionists' by William Goldston about?+

The book reveals the secrets and mechanics behind legendary illusions performed by famous magicians, along with personal anecdotes and insights into their lives.

Who was William Goldston and why is he significant in magic?+

William Goldston was a prominent magic author and the founder of the Magicians' Club, known for his contributions to the understanding of magic and illusion.

What are some famous illusions discussed in Goldston's book?+

The book discusses several famous illusions, including Chung Ling Soo's fatal bullet-catching trick, Houdini's escape challenges, and De Kolta's Vanishing Lady.

How can I purchase 'Secrets of Famous Illusionists'?+

The book is available as a digital download, which can be purchased online, and the file will be available for immediate download after the transaction.

Are refunds available for digital downloads of the book?+

No, refunds are not available for digital downloads of 'Secrets of Famous Illusionists'.

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Secrets of Famous Illusionists William Goldston

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Secrets of Famous Illusionists by William Goldston

Published 1933, republished 1971, 305 Pages

Core Highlights & Exposed Secrets – Secrets of Famous Illusionists William Goldston