Occult & Esoterica
[DANIEL, Noel - Editor] Magic: 1400s to 1950s (Taschen, Folio in DJ and Slipcase)
[DANIEL, Noel - Editor] Magic: 1400s to 1950s (Taschen, Folio in DJ and Slipcase)
With essays by Mike Cavenay and Jim Steinmeyer; Introduction by Ricky Jay
Cologne, Germany: Taschen, 2013. Hardcover with dust jacket, in pictorial slipcase. Folio (10.6 x 15.8 inches). 544pp. Illustrated throughout in color and b&w. Tiny corner bump to book otherwise book, DJ and slipcase in near fine condition. A fantastic production.
This book celebrates more than 500 years of the stunning visual culture of the world’s greatest magicians. Featuring more than 850 rarely seen vintage posters, photographs, handbills, and engravings as well as paintings by Hieronymus Bosch and Caravaggio among others, The Big Book of Magic traces the history of magic as a performing art from the 1400s to the 1950s. Combining sensational images with incisive text, the book explores the evolution of the magician’s craft, from medieval street performers to the brilliant stage magicians who gave rise to cinematic special effects; from the 19th century’s Golden Age of Magic to groundbreaking daredevils like Houdini and the early 20th century’s vaudevillians.