Their tricks exposed or the art of always winning translated from the french of robert houdin by william j. Fechner has uncovered the story behind the scenes of robert houdin s life, magic, and writings and illustrated his discoveries with hundreds of rare photos, playbills, and other treasures. A collectibe copy of the fashionable science of parlour magic one of magic s pioneering books by john henry anderson was sold on. The secrets of conjuring and magic or how to become a wizard is one of the most fascinating books ever written about the art of stage magic, illusion. Amongst other things, robert houdin is commonly regarded today as the originator of the modern style of conjuring the performance of magical tricks, and has even been dubbed by some as the father of modern magic. Behindthescenes accounts highlight the careers of the worlds greatest magicians, including, robert houdin, herrmann, kellar, blackstone and, of course, houdini. Jan 09, 20 this simplified version of the robert houdin break makes it easy to start using expert level tactics to ensure you never get suspected of trickery when performing the double lift or turnover. Unmasking of roberthoudin, the by harry houdini quality. All of robert houdin s classic books essential reading for anyone striving in the art of magic. Their tricks exposed, or the art of always winning by hilliar, william j.
Published 2003two volumes with slipcase863 pages over 1200 illustrations 60 color pages cover by jeanguy fechner preface by jacques voignier in one of the most elegant magic books ever produced, christian fechner explores the incredible world of robert houdin, the legendary master of magic. Robert houdin introduced several novelties to the world of magicians. But the greatest magician of the 19th century or possibly of all time, was harry houdini 18741926. The project gutenberg ebook of the unmasking of roberthoudin. Jeaneugene robert houdin december 7, 1805 june, 1871 was a french watchmaker, magician and illusionist, widely recognized as the father of the modern style of conjuring. The secrets of stage conjuring is one of the rarest of robert houdin s books on magic. Frontispiece from simon witgeests book of natural magic 1682, showing the. My interest in conjuring and magic and my enthusiasm for robert houdin came into existence simultaneously. With his father, prosper robert, being one of the finest watchmakers in blois, jean was expected to follow his path and eventually take over the family business although his father had bigger dreams for his. Jeaneugene roberthoudin, original name jeaneugene robert, born dec. This contains revised versions of smiths 22 essays on magic books and history. Robert houdin truly ushered in a new era for magic and conjuring by creating a special dignity for the performer as well as doing effects that were fresh and original and seemed to his audiences as though he was really doing magic.
Anyone who has seen the illusionist will be familiar with a variant of robert houdin s classic orange tree illusion. This book is the natural result of the moulding, dominating influence which the spirit and writings of robert houdin have exerted over my professional career. See more ideas about the magicians, eugene, robert. The memoirs of roberthoudin has often been called the best autobiography in magic literature. The secret of jean eugene roberthoudins marvelous orange. He tries to show that most tricks roberthoudin claimed as his invention were infact not his invention and that roberthoudin was not this great magician he usually is thought he was. Amazing as it looks, a magic is nothing but a clever illusion. Oct 03, 2019 amazing as it looks, a magic is nothing but a clever illusion. It is the story of robert houdin a magician in france in the 19th century he is thought to be the father of modern magic and illusion. Roberthoudin, the father of modern magic, even silenced a. This book, the same one that created houdini from erich weiss, is a real must read and will not only entertain and inform but can be used as a guide book for the. Roberthoudin introduced several novelties to the world of magicians.
Unlike some other books published by houdin to teach amateurs magic, this book should only be purchased by professional. The more shows he delivered, the better he became, and it wasnt long before he made a name for himself all over paris. Oct 21, 2016 in 1845, roberthoudin started hosting his soirees fantastiques, a set of performances that demonstrated various magic tricks on the stage. But were also going to talk a little about the history of magic outside of events and no discussion of the history of magic is complete without a little something about the man often referred to as the father of modern.
Robert houdin felt that every magic program should be arranged so one trick builds upon the others. Some of the tricks and illusions robert houdin presented became classics. Robert houdin 18051871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and lifelike automata, and he thankfully left a number of books recording his philosophy and techniques. Translated from the french of roberthoudin and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. During the 17th century, many books were published that described magic tricks. Until the 18th century, magic shows were a common source of entertainment at fairs. Houdin stopped a violent revolution against france with a. Harry houdini, the stage name of american magician erich weiss, was a reference to robert houdin. Translated from the french of robert houdin and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Memoirs of roberthoudin, written by himself by jean.
Later in his life he wrote the book the unmasking of robert houdin which he notably regretted writing. It is the sequel to secrets of conjuring and magic 1868. A founding figure of modern entertainment magic was jean eugene roberthoudin, who had a magic theatre in paris in 1845. The bestknown magician of his time, robert houdin toured france, england and germany, performed for queen victoria, and was sent to french algeria by napoleon iii to demonstrate the perceived superiority of french magic to the local shamans. Mar 29, 2016 jean eugene roberthoudin was a french magician who lived during the 19th century.
The simplified robert houdin break magic tricks youtube. Essential robert houdin book essential robert houdin finally back in print. It explains in detail the ins and outs of the craft and also showes, stepbystep, how to do the most intriguing magic tricks ever performed. There are videos on magic tricks in the kitchen but they are pretty lame. The original copy is in the collection of jon oliver, who has decided to share this historic publication. Robert houdin 18051871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and lifelike automata, and he thankfully left a number of books recording his philosophy. The story starts in his youth, how he trained as a clockmaker and then met a traveling magician who he befriended, before learning the tricks of the trade. May 27, 2018 the french magician jean eugene robert houdin, also known as the father of modern magic, was born in 1805 in the central french town of blois and experienced perhaps the most serendipitous moment within the history of magic. This simplified version of the robert houdin break makes it easy to start. This book has been published by david haversats 1878. He was the first major magician to make extensive use of. Amongst other things, roberthoudin is commonly regarded today as the originator of the modern style of conjuring the performance of magical tricks, and has even been dubbed by some as the father of modern magic.
In what is arguably the most beautiful and elegant magic book produced, christian fechner explores the amazing life and times of robert houdin the french master magician and scientist. Jean eugene robert houdin was a magician born in the town of blois, in central france on december 7, 1805. The unmasking of robert houdin deluxe by harry houdini book magic tricks ebay. Hagy presents an extensive checklist of 95 magic giveaways, booklets, book sets, etc. One surprise should lead to an even bigger surprise. The french magician jean eugene robert houdin, also known as the father of modern magic, was born in 1805 in the central french town of blois and experienced perhaps the most serendipitous moment within the history of magic. How to perform the orange tree trick secrets our pastimes. The marabouts had responded as hoped to robert houdin s first performances in algiers, but the core of the rebellion, forever moving across the desert sands, had not been present to become impressed by the demonstration. Jean eugene roberthoudin was a french magician who lived during the 19th century. Oct 12, 2012 in case you havent heard, october is magic month. The unmasking of robert houdin deluxe by harry houdini book. Secrets of conjuring and magic by jean eugene roberthoudin.
May 16, 20 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread. The audience watched on in amazement as nine oranges grew from the tree. Robert houdin 18051871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and. A century ago, and, indeed, as late as robert houdin s day, a general knowledge of the physical sciences was considered necessary to the equipment of the conjurer or magician. Houdini s personal copy of his book with annotated pages written in his hand. This book, originally published in 1868, is devoted primarily to coin and card tricks, but robert. Aug 30, 2018 although roberthoudin didnt have many parlor tricks in his books and the golden age of magic was coming to a close, young conjurors in the 1920s would still have the opportunity to learn much more about magic from the escape artist whose name was inspired by roberthoudins. A life in magic david bamberg the secret ways of al baker todd karr about. The project gutenberg ebook of the unmasking of robert. The tricks and secrets within have survived for 200 years, many of the mysteries feature in my show to the delight of my audience. Performance at the magic circle awards scott penrose. Posnanskis new book, the life and afterlife of harry houdini, is a departure from his exceptional work for sports illustrated, nbc sports and the kansas city star. Secrets of conjuring and magic download ebook pdf, epub.
His specialty was making machines that acted and appeared to be real. Jean eugene roberthoudin, the father of modern magic who. Jeaneugene roberthoudin french magician britannica. Gervais, near blois, french magician who is considered to be the father of modern conjuring.
The unmasking of robert houdin deluxe by harry houdini. He is generally considered to have been the originator of conjuring in its modern sense. If you aspire to technical and artistic mastery in the craft of magic, you must read this book. All the classic works of the great master of magic, robert houdin, under one cover, lavishly illustrated with hundreds of beautiful prints, engravings, and photos. Reaching back into the mists of history, this book traces the story of magic back to the times of the egyptians, and all the way forward. In the original trick, houdin brought an orange tree onstage, and commanded it to bloom. One of the most elegant magic books ever produced, christian fechner explores the incredible world of roberthoudin, the legendary master of magic. Among magicians robert houdin is known as the father of modern magic, so profound an effect did he have on the profession. Indeed, as jones saw firsthand, contemporary performers often still regard themselves as bearers of rational thought and debunkers of the irrational. Magic of robert houdin, the by christian fechner quality.
From the moment that i began to study the art, he became my guide and hero. Genii magazine the seeds planted by roberthoudin july 2018. Essential roberthoudin book magic tricks at penguin. Robert houdin made seeming miracles at a time when most people had never seen a train or heard of electricity. American magician and escape artist harry houdini born ehrich weiss was so impressed by robert houdin that, after reading his autobiography in 1890, ehrich adopted the stage name of houdini in honour of robert houdin. As a revenge harry houdini wrote the unmasking of roberthoudin, in which houdini tries to push roberthoudin from his pedestal. He transformed magic from a pastime for the lower classes, seen at fairs, to an entertainment for the wealthy, which he offered in a theatre opened in paris, a legacy preserved by the tradition of modern magicians. It was at this time that he particularly became interested in magic and very soon he was entertaining friends with his skilful sleight of hand tricks. Roberthoudin felt that every magic program should be arranged so one trick builds upon the others. Mar 16, 2017 later on, the french government called jean eugene robert houdin back from retirement to use his magic tricks to quench a revolution in algeria where tribal holy men were using tricks such as fire walking and snake charming to demonstrate their power and set off the revolution against the french colonial government. The magic of robert houdin christian fechner miracle.
By learning the art of mechanical figures from his fatherinlaw and after meeting several magicians by accident in a store who used mechanics to perform magic, robert houdin learned many mechanical tricks and improved on them that eventually lead to the creation. The history of magic from dark art to pop entertainment. Houdinis personal copy of his book with annotated pages written in his hand. But houdini s relationship with his famous predecessor was. Houdin stopped a violent revolution against france with. Jeaneugene roberthoudin december 7, 1805 june, 1871 was a french watchmaker. T his book is the natural result of the moulding, dominating influence which the spirit and writings of robert houdin have exerted over my professional career.
With the release of essential roberthoudin, the miracle factory has performed a great service for the serious student of the magical arts. Robert houdin wrote this book primarily as an expose to reduce the number of people being cheated. Now available to the world for the first time since houdini himself made these unseen additions and changes. The name harry houdini pays homage to jean eugene robert houdin, the french performer widely considered the father of modern magic. Roberthoudins explanation of tricks performed by other magicians and not. But more specifically, robert houdin achieved his renown by championing himself as a skeptical rationalist, someone whose craft was based on logic and skill, and who could expose the tricks of mediums, shamans, seers, and others. He was widely acknowledged as the father of conjuring in its modern sense. The seeds planted by robert houdin an excerpt from the secret history of magic by peter lamont and jim steinmeyer columns genii speaks by richard kaufman the eye by todd karr now performing on the slant by jon racherbaumer classic correspondence maurice raymond to will rock by mike caveney dealing with it prophet motive iii by john bannon.
Sep 01, 20 the marvelous orange tree, created by jean eugenerobert houdin 18051871 and performed by paul daniels. Memoirs of roberthoudin robert houdin vanishing inc. This book has been published by david haversats 1878 press co. It is simply wonderful, the grand master robert houdin shares his secrets with elegance and simplicity. In the book he accused houdin of being a thief and a fraud stealing many of his magic illusions from other magicians. The original copy is in the collection of jon oliver, who has decided.
Christian fechner has researched this fascinating magician and in doing so provides us with behind the scenes peeks into his life, and his magic. For this act of conjuring, the secret behind it all is automaton. Mar 27, 2018 for that book, jones developed his own act, immersed himself in the paris magic scene, and befriended magicians, for whom the likes of robert houdin still loom large. One of the most elegant magic books ever produced, christian fechner explores the incredible world of robert houdin, the legendary master of magic. Aug 29, 20 after getting a book of scientific amusements i. We hope you found the magic tricks you were looking for. Robert houdin truly ushered in a new era for magic and conjuring by creating a special dignity for. It is a museum and theater first opened by his grandson paul robert houdin in april 1966. Fechner has uncovered the story behind the scenes of roberthoudins life, magic, and writings and illustrated his discoveries with hundreds of rare photos, playbills, and other treasures. The memoirs of robert houdin has often been called the best autobiography in magic literature. The unmasking of roberthoudin by harry houdini free ebook.
On the frontispiece of a dutch book on magic, published in amsterdam. This book, originally published in 1868, is devoted primarily to coin and card tricks, but roberthoudin also describes many other magical tricks and includes a. His devotion to this occupation sparked when he came across two books that contained everything about performing magic tricks, purely by. From robert houdin to chung ling soo to black herman and harry houdini, the world of magic and magicians has always found a place in books.
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