Description

The first Conjurors’ Magazine made its appearance in 1792 in London under the editorship of Henry Lemoine. This, the first monthly periodical ever devoted to the art of magic, featured “singular deceptions, philosophical amusements, curious experiments, mathematical operations and sympathetic secrets.”

Then in 1906 Harry Houdini together with his brother Theo Hardeen revived this almost forgotten publication under the title of The Conjurer’s Monthly Magazine (spelled with an ‘e’ instead of an ‘o’).

In 1945 Walter B. Gibson and Julian Proskauer gave this title another shot at life and started The New Conjurors’ Magazine, which ran until September 1949, spanning five volumes. The ‘New’ was later dropped.

This magazine is filled with wonderful tricks and features in the ‘Speaking of Pictures’ column two full page photos of celebrity magicians each and every issue. The photos alone are a treat and worth the modest asking price for this magazine. The series of De Land marked and gaffed cards is a must read for anyone interested in marked or trick cards.

No 1:

SPEAKING OF PICTURES: George Karger DemonstratesEDITORIAL PAGESTOMORROW’S TRICKSKALMAR’S MAGIC – A LetterROBERT HOUDIN – by HoudiniSTAGE MAGIC: Blackstone IllusionsHANDCUFF ESCAPES – HardeenCOPYISTS – Ramee SamiMAGICIANS GUILD SHOW – A ReviewNEW TRICKS – NEW BOOKS – JONESSLEIGHTS – MANIPULATIONS – CARDS – MENTAL – SILKS – GAGS – LESSONS by CARDINI – MacDOUGAL – GEOFFREY – TOWNSWEST COAST HAPPENINGS – HaymanNEW YORK GOSSIP – GimcoCHICAGO NOTES – Chinot

No 2:

SPEAKING OF PICTURES: Leo Rullman in actionEDITORIAL PAGES: Read Fulton Oursler and W. Scott PeacockSTAGE MAGICHANDCUFF ESCAPES – HardeenDR. DALEY’S THIRTY-ONEFOUR ACES – CardiniROUTINING AN ACT – Maurice RaymondRAMEE SAMIRANGOON RICE BOWLS: Warren E. Simms’ own routineMENTAL MAGICDE LAND’S AMAZING CREATIONSSLEIGHTS – MANIPULATIONS – CARDS – MENTAL – SILKS – GAGS – LESSONS by BLACKSTONE – KAPLAN – ELLIOTT – HARDIN THURSTONROBERT-HOUDIN – by Harry HoudiniNEW TRICKS – NEW BOOKS by Lloyd JonesJUNIOR CONJURORS’ CORNERWEST COAST HAPPENINGS – HaymanNEW YORK GOSSIP – GimcoCHICAGO NOTES – Chinot

No 3:

SPEAKING OF PICTURES: Dunninger Demonstrates and Karger Photographs THE INDIAN ROPE TRICKOUT OF THE MAIL BAG: Fleming, Perry and Rullman LettersSTAGE MAGICMORE DE LAND CREATIONS – GibsonWILL ROGERS – by Vernon ScobieTOMORROW’S TRICKSOUT OF THE PAST – by J. C. WalterCARD MAGICTWO BOOK REVIEWSMagic Without Apparatus – W. B. G. Miracles in Mentalism, etc. – J. J. ProskauerNEW TRICKS . . . NEW BOOKS – JonesWALKING AWAY FROM SHADOW – BlackstoneDR. DALEY’S 31 SYSTEMROBERT HOUDIN – HoudiniSLEIGHTS – MANIPULATIONS – CARDS – MENTAL – SILKS – GAGS – LESSONS by BLACKSTONE – ROYO – SARDO – PERRY – THURSTONCARDINI’S BILLIARD BALL ROUTINEANAGRAMENTALIX – Mental MysteryTRICK OF THE MONTH – Foo Ling YuSATAN’S SILKSROYAL HEATH’S FLOOR TRICKS

No 4:

SPEAKING OF PICTURES: George Karger photographs Bert Easley; Irving Desfor snaps Jean HugardTOMMY WINDSOR AND DAN FRIEDMAN Answers to W. Scott PeacockSTAGE MAGIC: Shaman, Thurston, BlackstoneOUT OF THE PAST – J. C. WalterVISIBLE RICE AND WATERMULTIPLE COIN BOX – Something newBEFORE YOUR VERY EYES – Warner PerryCIG CANE – “Hen” FetschCARD MAGIC – Some Good ElfectsTWO BOOK REVIEWS Heineman’s “Original Magic” – W. B. Gibson; Gotberg’s Ventriloquism – J. J. ProskauerMAGICIANS GUILD ELECTS CARDINI-BLACKSTONE-HARDEENNOVEL MAGICPRIZE CONTEST LETTERSHARRY HOUDINI’S COMMENTSTRAVELING KNOTS. THREE CARD MONTE. CHINESE DISCS. DOUBLE COLOR CHANGE. NOVEL COIN STAND. ETC.. ETC.DE LAND’S MARKED CARD CREATIONS – Walter B. GibsonKEEP MAGIC CLEAN – Collins PentzREVIEWS FROM SHOWS FROM COAST TO COAST

No 5:

SPEAKING OF PICTURES: GEORGE KARGER Pictures DAI VERNON and JARROW for Conjurors’ readersTHEO HARDEEN PASSES ONBEER AND GIRL FROM BARREL – BrooksROLLER COASTER – Comdr. AdairTHE CAULDRON – Rudy RoxoTAMBOURINE BOWL – Chung Ling SooHOP-A-LONG HANK – Bert EeasleyPRIZE CONTEST LETTERSWAND TO TABLENEW TRICKS – NEW BOOKS – Lloyd JonesIMPROMPTU COIN TRAY – Dai VernonXKWIZIT or the DANDY DECKMOUSE FROM DECK OF CARDS – SmytheMORE DELAND CREATIONS – Gibson”REDUCING HAZARDS OF BUYING MAGIC” – KempModern Magicians – Bert AllertonFirst of a Series by Maurice ZolotowThree Book Reviews – J. J. Proskauer”What Are You Getting” – Pentz”Defense” of Mentalism – Nelson”Out of the Past” – Walter, the MagicianHARPINGS FROM HAYMANMAGICIANS GUILDHERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE

No 6:

FRONTISPIECE – – HARDEEN’S ORIGINAL POSTERESCAPE FROM “TRAMP CHAIR” – Joseph YadahFINAL CURTAIN – HARDEEN’S LIFE STORYHARDEEN’S EARLY TEACHINGSTHERE IS NO DEATH – EULOGYTHE BROTHERS HOUDINIGERMAN SHOW BILLTOMB OF HOUDINI AND GRAVE OF HARDEENWORLD’S MANACLESMILK CAN ESCAPEDOLLY SPENCE TELLS OF YEARS WITH HARDEENCARDINI AND HARDEENOLSEN AND JOHNSON DINNER FOR HARDEENHARDEEN’S SHOW BILLS IN COLORTHE BOOK OF LIFE: HARDEEN’S LEGACY TO MAGICIANSTHE TEMPLE OF MYSTERY AND OVERBOARD BOXOUT OF THE DOG HOUSE – Night Club IllusionALLIED VICTORY CONVENTION OF MAGICIANSMY PAL “DASH” – Joe HaymanTHEO AS I KNEW HIM Walter B. BowerPIPE OF THE MANDARIN – Ladson ButlerFLIGHT OF THREE COINS – Dr. H. Walter GroteA BLACKSTONE EFFECTCARDINI’S CARDS & ENVELOPETRICK OF THE MONTH – Bob ShermanNECKBAND ESCAPE – Warren E. SimmsTRIBUTES AND PHOTOGRAPHSDOUGLAS GEOFFREY, Successor to the HOUDINI-HARDEEN SHOW

No 7:

SPEAKING OF PICTURES: George Karger Masterpieces: WARREN E. SIMMS, Vice-President, Magicians Guild; CANTU AND DOVESTAGE MAGIC: Flight of the Mandarin; The Great La Follette’s IllusionCONTEST LETTERSMESSAGE FROM MARS – Warner PerryCOIN PASSES – William HannaORIENTAL SNOW STORM – Warren SimmsCHINK-A-CHINK SUPREMECENTURY TWENTIETHLATEST PRODUCTION CABINETROBERT HOUDINI (conclusion) – HOUDINIPASS AWAY CARDMAGI CARDS – Harry HardinMORE DeLAND – GibsonHARPINGS FROM HAYMANOUT OAKLAND WAYCOUNT ALONG CARDS – JarrowOUT OF THE PAST – Walter the MagicianVICTORY CONVENTIONMORE HARDEEN MEMORABILIA – J. J. Proskauer

No 8:

SPEAKING OF PICTURES: The Charlier Pass; Audrey Walsh demonstrates and George Karqer pictures this subtle sleight.VICTORY!DE LAND’S “FIGURE-IT-OUT”THE GREAT RAYMOND SHOWVISION THROUGH SPACE – Warner PerryDE LAND’S SPECIAL PACKS – GibsonHARPINGS FROM HAYMANMEXICO’S MASTER MAGICIANPRO AND CON – Magic Dealers – Pentz and DealsROBERT PARRISH ANSWERS FULTON OURSLERTHE GREAT OVETTEKOLAR “GIVE MY REGARDS TO THE CHIEF OF POLICE”HENRY HARDIN AND HIS MAGICAL MEMORANDASOLDIERS PREFER COMEDY – FoustTHE KAHUNA – Baird and Murata”REAL CRYSTAL GAZING”SEMANTIC SILKS – GriggsTRI-TIE – A Hen Fetsch Masterpiece in a Brilliant Color SpreadINVISIBLE RAINBOW – Jack GwynneMAGIC DATES – Ten Calendar Mysteries”400” OF MAGIC AT COLON! – Dr. TarbellRAE’S PSYCHO-ANALYSIS MODERNIZED – Jerry SossTORN CARD EFFECT – Prof. Jack MillerJUNIOR CONJURORS’ CORNER

No 9:

SPEAKING OF PICTURES: Blackstone and Magical BeautiesPRIZE WINNING LETTERS: Fifteen Prize AwardsDOUBLE COLOR CHANGE – Blackstone”WORLD’S GREATEST” CARD TRICKMODERN MAGICIANS – Richard Cardini by Maurice ZolotowWITH THE GREATEST OF EASE – Jerry RossCHEST OF CELESTIAL BLISS – Rudy Roxo’s New IllusionVISIBLE LIQUID PRODUCTION – Capt. R. C. BrooksSIMMS AND RAYMOND ELECTED BY MAGICIANS GUILDCHARLES A. LEEDY DIESOLD PHOTO OF HOUDINI – George BrooksTHE APPEARING LION – The Great OvetteHARDIN’S “MIRACLES” EXPLAINEDROYAL MARRIAGES – Dai VernonFIVE CARDS AND FIVE COLORS – Conjurors’ StaffDELAND’S EVER-READY TRICK CARDSBOXES OF CHANG – Prof. Jack MillerTRI TIE SET-UP – “Hen” FetschCHATS BY KOLARMASTER POKER DEALCONJURORS’ CORNERFLOATING CARD – Domer ScaramucciTHREE TAPED SLATES

No 10:

SPEAKING OF PICTURES – The Royal Family of Magic Dell O’Dell and Charles CarrerCONJURORS’ CONTEST VICTORY BOND WINNERSDOLLAR BILL PEREGRINATION – Dr. GroteELECTRONIC CARD RISE – F. W. Blaisdell and Dr. BlaisdellPICKPOCKET MAGICIAN – Count LionelSO YOU THINK YOU ARE A MAGICIAN – Theo DoreTRIPLE MYSTERY – Collins IllusionSIXTH CARD – SIXTH SENSEFLAG FUN – “Hen” FetschBALL OF SILK ADVERTISING ACT – Warner PerryDECEPTIVE COLOR CHANGE OBLIGING BOTTLE BREMA’S CARD CHANGE TUBEDELAND’S GREATEST CARD CREATION – GibsonHARDIN’S “MIRACLES” and EXPLANATIONS WHAT IS A MAGIC TRICK? – Collins PentzHERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERENEFF SHOW REVIEW – W. B. GibsonMARDO AT LANCASTERCHATS BY KOLARHARPINGS BY HAYMAN – Joe HaymanRAMEE SAMI SAYSCONJURORS’ CORNER – Hocus Pocus, Jr.REVIEWS THIS MONTH – J. J. Proskauer

No 11:

SPEAKING OF PICTURES: CARDINI, by Karger; BALLANTINE, by DesiorSPIRIT PAINTINGSWORLD’S BEST CARD MAGIC: Two Blackstone EflectsGREAT FELLOWSHIP AT IBM CONCLAVEKROGER’S CHARIOT ILLUSIONFOLLIES GIRL ILLUSION – Rudy RoxoVANISHING GLASSHOUDINI SHOW REVIEW by J. J. ProskauerSUCKER CARD EFFECTZOLOTOW SPANKED . . . AND PRAISEDSO YOU WANT TO BE A PRO? – Bert EasleyMODERN MAGICIANS – Maurice ZolotowPhoto by Karger of BlackstoneIN THE MONEY – Bert EasleyMILBOURNE CHRISTOPHER’S WANDSDELAND’S CHANGING CARDS – GibsonSILK DRINKS – DoreLIFESAVERS CARD TRICK – ScaramucciSTARS DOT GUILD MEETING – HawbeckerHARDIN’S MYSTERIES AND EXPLANATIONSA LOVE LETTER TO BILL LARSEN FROM J. J. ProskauerSOMETHING FOR NOTHING – Will Goldston

No 12:

SPEAKING OF PICTURES: JERRI DAWN. Magical MISSteries; STEPHEN MIACOTHE PASSING PARADE – Magic in ReviewCRYSTAL RISING CARDS – PfistererBURMESE PAGODA – A Fine IllusionBREMA’S NEEDLE TRICKHARPINGS FROM HAYMANGAMBLER’S DREAM – Audley WalshHARDIN’S “MIRACLES” and EXPLANATIONSHERE, THERE AND EVERYWHEREMORE DELAND CARD EFFECTS – GibsonOUT OF THE BOOK RACK: Elaborating an Annemann Effect in full colorFOUR ACE TRANSPOSITION – Paul Rosini PresentationBALINESE RICE – Jerry RossMATCHLESS MATCH BOX: A Sibley Table Routine with a Blue PrintHOMING HALVES – Warren SimmsCHATS BY KOLARPERFECT ONE WAY DECK – Charles Arbuthnot IIIHEALING BY MAGIC – J. Spencer Dean, M.D.CONJURORS’ CORNERANY CARD FROM CIGARETTE – Edward W. DartRAMEE SAMI SAYSGOOD MISCELLANEOUS MAGIC

February 1945 – January 1946; 703 pages.
word count: 469641 which is equivalent to 1878 standard pages of text