Description: The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin by Harry Houdini This book is an amazing mint condition!!!! Details: Houdini was upset that the widow of Robert-Houdin did not want to meet him. As a revenge Harry Houdini wrote “The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin”, in which Houdini tries to push Robert-Houdin from his pedestal. He tries to show that most tricks Robert-Houdin claimed as his invention were in fact not his invention and that Robert-Houdin was not this great magician he usually is thought he was. But most of Houdini’s allegations are fabricated and do not stand close inspection. Jean Hugard wrote as response to Houdini’s nasty book Houdini’s Unmasking, where Hugard point for point refutes Houdini’s argumentation. I personally favor Hugard’s opinion, but you can now find out for yourself and get both books for a few bucks. In any case “The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin” is insofar very interesting as it shows a lot of images, clippings, and programs of well known magicians. It documents an interesting part of magic history. Contents: 7 Introduction 33 Chapter I Significant Events in the Life of Robert-Houdin 33 Birthplace and Beginnings 38 Torrini 41 Automata 45 1840-1898 49 Robert-Houdin’s Contributions 51 Chapter II The Orange-Tree Trick 51 History of the Trick 53 Christopher Pinchbeck: likely originator of the trick 56 Isaac Fawkes & Pinetti 75 Amusements Physiques 81 M. Cornillot 83 Chapter III The Writing and Drawing Figure 83 Early Development 87 P.T. Barnum: purchases the figure 90 Wonderful Talking Machine 91 Disproving Robert-Houdin’s Claims 93 Jacquet-Droz Figure: drew dog, cupid, heads 75 years before 105 Tracing the Figure to Robert-Houdin 116 Chapter IV The Pastry Cook of the Palais Royal 116 Described and Advertised 117 Predecessors 129 Phillippe’s Le Confiseur Galant 138 Ernest Basch: claims to own original trick 141 Chapter V The Obedient Cards – The Cabalistic Clock – The Trapeze Automaton 141 The Obedient Cards 156 The Cabalistic or Obedient Clock 166 The Trapeze Automation 176 Chapter VI The Inexhaustible Bottle 176 Described 180 History Exposed 200 Chapter VII Second Sight 200 Foundation of Robert-Houdin’s Success 209 Robert-Houdin’s Claims of Originality Disputed 222 Chapter VIII The Suspension Trick 222 Suspension Trick Described 226 Examining the Claims 228 Lives of the Conjurers by Thomas Frost 230 Ching Lau Lauro 233 Heimburger “Alexander the Conjurer” 245 Chapter IX The Disappearing Handkerchief 245 Described from Robert-Houdin’s Memoirs 250 Cagliostro and the Cagliostro Seals 255 Ne Plus Ultra of the Cabalistic Art 264 Chapter X Robert-Houdin’s Ignorance of Magic as Betrayed By His Own Pen 264 Robert-Houdin as a Purloiner and Adapter of Tricks 266 Ignorance of Effects as Written in Memoirs 278 “Les Secrets de la Prestidigitation et de la Magie” 295 Chapter XI The Narrowness of Robert-Houdin’s “Memoirs” 295 Potential Charms Destroyed by Pettiness 298 Ignoring Henri Robin 300 Attacking Pinetti 302 Bartolomeo Bosco 312 John Henry Anderson 321 Index Publisher: George Routledge & Sons Pages: 443 Location: London, England Dimensions: 5″x8″ Date: 1909 Binding: hardbound Special thanks to Martin 's magic
Price: 99 USD
Location: Flushing, Michigan
End Time: 2024-12-03T19:51:47.000Z
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Genre: Magic
