Description

Back in the 1980’s when Martin Breese was a fledgling Magic Dealer advertising regularly in Abracadabra he decided to create a little free house magazine to keep his clients in touch with magic that he was releasing and information about the magic scene for those who were not living in London or within easy reach of London. The Newsletter grew until one day it was so successful that he decided to turn it into a proper magic magazine and so Sorcerer Magazine was born.

Now in this digital edition we have combined all the issues of The Newsletter and Sorcerer Magazine. It is a window on the history of the magic scene in the London of the 1980’s as well as a chronology of Martin’s magic business.

Most issues had excellent original tricks from many big names and numerous contributions from Stephen Tucker and David Britland. Other contributors included: Peter McDonald, Hiruhito Hirata, Max Maven, Harry Seed, Ken de Courcy, Basil Horwitz, Bill Zavis, John Mendoza, Paul Hallas, Michael Austin, Reinhard Müller, Bob Quilietti, Paul Brignal, Al Smith, Amos Hudini, Simon Dixon, Solyl Kundu, Alex East, Jim Adams, Henrique, John Jarvis, Nigel Backhurst and even Martin Breese.

There were reprints of good material too from Eddie Joseph and Edward Victor. The magazine had a great following and as original copies are hard to find we are sure that many will welcome this version of The Newsletter and Sorcerer. This digital edition is a faithful reproduction of the original issues complete with all the original typographic errors just as it was published.

697 pages

News Sheet

News-Sheet No. 1 – Martin Breese in Exile – November 1980 – 12 pagesopen letter from Martin Breese about situation with ABRAGoodlifffe is Seriously Ill in HospitalSo What is Happening Back Here at the Ranch – items at the shopMigration – by Steve Dusheck & Ed Mishell – after sales sheet and additional notesmore items at the shopUnsolicited Testimonialsmore comments from Martin BreeseComing Along Fast – items in the worksChristmas CardNews-Sheet No. 2 – March 1981 – 16 pagesLewis Ganson and GoodliffeJat – illustratorMaster Handling of ‘Zig Zag Deck’ – Alex M. EastBig Oaks from little Acorns – editorial commentsZig Zag Extras – Alex M. EastThe Magic Lounge – construction report’Room Service’new effects for saleIn Writing from our Customers – lettersFrom the News Desk – Finn Jon & Richard Ross at the Crazy HorseCollector’s CornerPaul Daniels Show – brief commentsMagical Coincidences (?) – while travelingSterling Products and Johnson Products – both to be availableRen Kin Jutsu – effect from Haruhito HirataPound Note Routine – Harry SeedMendoza Book arrivesMagic Medallion – effect by Martyn LongBack to the Hard Commercial World – items for saleCrazy Caption ContestNews-Sheet No. 3 – July 1981 – 20 pagesMagic Lounge – openIt Is Curtains – new video topesJack Yates – Martin Breese’s new agent for AfricaCrazy Caption Contest – winnerTop 100 Club – reportNewsletter No. 3 Available with a Supplement [not included]more items at the shopGood News – order at the current prices before the new catalog prices come outMore Solid Deception – new style fake – Paul HallasO-Key-To – effect by Paul Hallasmore item at the shopCrazy Caption ContestNews-Sheet No. 4 – Convention Special – Summer 1981 – 16 pagesThe Professional Scene – reported by Terry SeabrookeBilly McComb Teach-In Session – announcementitems at the shopJohn Mendoza Lecture – announcementbooks at the shopThe Magic Lounge – descriptionmore items & books at the shopRoutine for the 5 Knife Set – Michael J. Austinmore items & books at the shopMy Spoon Trick – effect by Martin Breeseclosing commentsNews-Sheet No. 5 – November 1981 – 24 pagesmiscellaneous comments from Martin Breesemap to the Magic LoungeBabel Magazine – reviewJohn Mendoza London Lecture – confirmationitems in the shopThe Misdirected Flying Ring of Basil Horwitz – described by Owen Griffithsmore items at the shoppoem by Vic Connersmore items at the shopdeath notices for Jim McCall, Raymond Hafler & Maurice Fogelmore items at the shopNews-Sheet No. 6 – The Day of Close-Up Magic Convention Issue – 1982 – 24 pagesThe Day of Close-Up Magic – announcementMeet John MendozaThe World’s Fastest Mind Reader – Graham P. Jolley – announcementmore news about the ConventionMagic at the New Cresta, SolihuullMagic at ChristmasRoger Crosthwaite bookedBill Nagler, M.D. – lecture tourHere is the Programmeitem at the shopNews-Sheet No. 7 – 1982 – 24 pagesHello – comments from Martin BreeseThe Day of Close Up Magic – reportBob Read Lecture – announcementKen Brooke – The Ace Place – and the Magic Lounge – announcementitems at the shopZig-Zag Cig-nature – effectcorrespondence and additional comments from Martin BreeseAlec Pendle’s Cosmic Connection – additions by Frank Prescottadditional items at the shopNews-Sheet No. 8 – June 1982 – 21 pagescomments from Martin Breeseitems at the shopSugar Stack – effect by John Mendozamore items at the shopNews-Sheet No. 9 – Convention Special – September 1982 – 24 pagescomments from Martin Breeseitems at the shopDichotomy – effect by Phil GoldsteinThe Twenty Card Coincidence – effect by John Mendozamore items at the shopMagic Lantern at the Narrowboat Theatre – promotionmap to the Magic LoungeAlternative Mandarin – effect by Paul Hallasmore items at the shopNews-Sheet No. 10 – October 1982 – 32 pagescomments from Martin Breeseitems at the shopAlternative Handling for Clones – Aubrey SindenOne Armed Jack and the Talking Pack – effect by Colin H. Linnmore items at the shopNews-Sheet No. 11 – January 1983 – 20 pagesitems at the shopThe Great Soprendo – lecture announcementmore items at the shopEvolution of an Effect – card effect from John MendozaAdditional Routine for the Al Koran Medallion – Henriquemore items at the shopNews-Sheet No. 12 – 1983 – 16 pagesKen Brooke – obituaryitems at the shopPeek Handling for Jerry Sadowitz’s “The Whisperers” – Bill Zavismore items at the shopSpell-Binder Special Issuemore items at the shopWhat’s in a Name? – marked deck routine by John JarvisNews-Sheet No. 13 – July 1983 – 20 pagescomments from Martin Breeseitems at the shopNumber Sense – Eddie JosephEditor’s Page – Stephen Tuckermore items at the shopUnmarketed – routine for the Ted Lesley Working Performer’s Marked Deck – Stephen TuckerClassico – coin effect – Stephen TuckerCutting Corners – card effect – Stephen Tuckermore items at the shopNews-Sheet No. 14 – December 1983 – 36 pagesitems at the shopEditorial – Martin Breesemore items at the shopArrival – variation of John Mendoza’s “Dollar Sandwich” – David Britlandmore items at the shopCommentmore items at the shopMind-Nova – ESP card effect – Basil Horwitzmore items at the shopAll Square – reprinted effect – Peter A. McDonaldmore items at the shopCollectors CornerBook Shelf – books at the shopmore items at the shop

The Sorcerer

Sorcerer – Premier Issue – December 1983 – 26 pages incl. coversEditorial – Martin BreeseBook Shelf – books at the shopcomments and more items at the shopOut of Becker – Peter A. McDonaldCollector’s Cornermore items at the shopA Passe-Passe Coin Effect – Edward Victor – reprintmore items at the shopSorcerer – Second Issue – n.d. – 26 pages incl. coversEditorial – Martin BreeseThe Magic Club Junior Close-Up Competition and Day of Magic – announcementThe Cat is Out of the Bag – RumorsHorwitz Wallet – advertisementThe Pink Peeker – book test – Stephen Tucker from Spell-Binder 3items at the shopCollectors Cornermore items at the shopBook Shelf – books at the shopCrayon – effect – Stephen Tucker from Spell-Binder 3Video Magic – VHS tapes at the shopSorcerer – Third Issue – n.d. – 26 pages incl. coversEditorial – Martin BreeseCatalogue NewsThree to the Top – card effect – Nigel BackhurstCongratulations to Abracadabra on reaching issue 2000Collectors Cornermore comments from Martin Breeseitems at the shopA Note from Bob Quilietti – testimonial for CrikeyFraud Swap – card effect – David BritlandBook Shelf – books at the shopNew from the U.S.A. – new items at the shopmore items at the shopExposure – article by Martin BreeseHelp Wanted – reader needs assistancemore items at the shopClosure – card effect – Phil Goldsteinmore items at the shopHopscotch – effect – Phil Goldstein from Spell-Binder 23Sorcerer – Fourth Issue – n.d. – 34 pages incl. coversEditorial – Martin BreeseStreet Entertainers – festival at Covent Gardenitems at the shopChinka Dice – Chink-a-Chink routine – David Britlandmore items at the shopScotch on the Hop – effect – Patrick Pagemore items at the shopGremlins – effect – Stephen Tuckermore items at the shopSorcerer – Fifth Issue – October 1984 – 38 pages incl. coversEditorial – Martin BreeseThe Vampire Ring – finger ring effect – Paul Brignallitems at the shopMore Velleda Variations – David Britlandmore items at the shopKen De Courcy Writes – new routine for Drikeymore items at the shopA Bob Quilietti Review – of David Roth’s Videomore items at the shopTalking Tables in the Wee Small Hours – article by Bob QuiliettiThe Moving Finger Writes – effect by Bob Quiliettimore items at the shopSorcerer – Sixth Issue – n.d. – 42 pages incl. coversEditorial – Martin Breeseitems at the shopBob Quilietti on ‘Video’ – reviews of new VHS tapesmore items at the shopCredit Fraud – mental effect – Paul Brignallmore items at the shopA Little Light Entertainment – effect – Cliff Mossmore items at the shopThe Spellbound Deck – card & coin effect – David Britlandmore items at the shopCigarette Through Coin – coin effect – Al Schneidermore items at the shopCoin Thru – effect – Amos HudiniGreat Balls of Fire – effect – Amos Hudinimore items at the shopI’d Rather be in Philadelphia – card effect – David Britlandmore items at the shopJohn Lenahan lecture announcementSorcerer – Seventh Issue – n.d. – 50 pages incl. coversEditorial – Martin BreeseExposure – article by Al SmithColour Sandwich – card routine – Simon DixonBob Quilietti on the Horwitz WalletPink Elephants – effect – Solyl Kunduitems at the shopAces High – card effect – David BritlandClickety Click – card effect – David BritlandDecoy – card effect – David BritlandUniversal Coin – coin effect – David Britlandmore items at the shopCoin Thru Ring – coin effect – Al Schneidermore items at the shopCard to Wallet – card effect – Paul Brignallmore items at the shopbooks in stock (and VHS)Editorial – continuedSorcerer – Eighth Issue – N.d. – 50 pages incl. coversEditorial – Martin Breeseitems at the shopMaxi-Maxi Twist – card effect – John Mendozamore items at the shopPrinter’s Dilemma – effect – David Britlandmore items at the shopAnother Fine Mesh – card effect – David Britlandmore items at the shopFlip-Top – card effect – David Britlandmore items at the shopBob Quilietti on the Brilliant Coin Vanishmore items at the shopA Word to the Wise – book test – David Britlandmore items at the shop more items at the shopEditorial – continuedSorcerer – Ninth Issue – November 1985 – 50 pages incl. coversEditorial – Martin Breeseitems at the shopRinging the Changes – routine for Wild Rings of Bob Little – John Jarvismore items at the shopDie Cutter – card effect – David Britlandmore items at the shopGhost Spellers – Phil Goldsteinmore items at the shopGecmetrick – effect – David Britlandmore items at the shopJohn Jarvis on Star GateDouble Fantasy Changes the More Things – card effect – Reinhard MüllerNo-Second-Deal Master of the Game – card effect – Reinhard Müllermore items at the shopA Short Spell – card effect – Martin Breesemore items at the shopEditorial – continuedSorcerer – Tenth Issue – February 1986 – 50 pages incl. coversEditorial – Martin BreeseThe Cosmosis (Levitation) Correspondenceitems at the shopElusive Blades – knife effect reprint – Eddie Josephmore items at the shopSpellstack – card effect – David Britlandmore items at the shopThis, That and the Other – card effect – Jim Adamsmore items at the shopMindspell – card effect – David Britlandmore items at the shopEditorial – continued