Robert houdin made seeming miracles at a time when most people had never seen a train or heard of electricity. Houdinis personal copy of his book with annotated pages written in his hand. The unmasking of robert houdin deluxe by harry houdini book. The unmasking of roberthoudin by harry houdini free ebook. Robert houdin wrote this book primarily as an expose to reduce the number of people being cheated. 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. One surprise should lead to an even bigger surprise. The project gutenberg ebook of the unmasking of robert. Indeed, as jones saw firsthand, contemporary performers often still regard themselves as bearers of rational thought and debunkers of the irrational. Robert houdin felt that every magic program should be arranged so one trick builds upon the others.
Jeaneugene roberthoudin december 7, 1805 june, 1871 was a french watchmaker. Houdini s personal copy of his book with annotated pages written in his hand. He was the first major magician to make extensive use of. Oct 12, 2012 in case you havent heard, october is magic month. On the frontispiece of a dutch book on magic, published in amsterdam. He is generally considered to have been the originator of conjuring in its modern sense. The original copy is in the collection of jon oliver, who has decided to share this historic publication. This simplified version of the robert houdin break makes it easy to start. Roberthoudin felt that every magic program should be arranged so one trick builds upon the others. 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. Roberthoudins explanation of tricks performed by other magicians and not. Oct 21, 2016 in 1845, roberthoudin started hosting his soirees fantastiques, a set of performances that demonstrated various magic tricks on the stage.
As a revenge harry houdini wrote the unmasking of roberthoudin, in which houdini tries to push roberthoudin from his pedestal. 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. Performance at the magic circle awards scott penrose. 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. The history of magic from dark art to pop entertainment. The audience watched on in amazement as nine oranges grew from the tree. 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. Aug 29, 20 after getting a book of scientific amusements i. Their tricks exposed or the art of always winning translated from the french of robert houdin by william j. Houdin stopped a violent revolution against france with.
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. 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. One of the most elegant magic books ever produced, christian fechner explores the incredible world of robert houdin, the legendary master of magic. Jeaneugene roberthoudin, original name jeaneugene robert, born dec. 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.
Hagy presents an extensive checklist of 95 magic giveaways, booklets, book sets, etc. Essential roberthoudin book magic tricks at penguin. Memoirs of roberthoudin robert houdin vanishing inc. Roberthoudin, the father of modern magic, even silenced a. Secrets of conjuring and magic by jean eugene roberthoudin. Essential robert houdin book essential robert houdin finally back in print.
There are videos on magic tricks in the kitchen but they are pretty lame. A life in magic david bamberg the secret ways of al baker todd karr about. We hope you found the magic tricks you were looking for. This book has been published by david haversats 1878. Genii magazine the seeds planted by roberthoudin july 2018. Jean eugene robert houdin was a magician born in the town of blois, in central france on december 7, 1805. If you aspire to technical and artistic mastery in the craft of magic, you must read this book. His devotion to this occupation sparked when he came across two books that contained everything about performing magic tricks, purely by. It is a museum and theater first opened by his grandson paul robert houdin in april 1966.
This book, originally published in 1868, is devoted primarily to coin and card tricks, but robert. During the 17th century, many books were published that described magic tricks. 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. Memoirs of roberthoudin, written by himself by jean. Jean eugene roberthoudin, the father of modern magic who. The original copy is in the collection of jon oliver, who has decided. Oct 03, 2019 amazing as it looks, a magic is nothing but a clever illusion.
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. Mar 29, 2016 jean eugene roberthoudin was a french magician who lived during the 19th century. The magic of robert houdin christian fechner miracle. The tricks and secrets within have survived for 200 years, many of the mysteries feature in my show to the delight of my audience. Roberthoudin introduced several novelties to the world of magicians. The more shows he delivered, the better he became, and it wasnt long before he made a name for himself all over paris. The secret of jean eugene roberthoudins marvelous orange. 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. Jean eugene roberthoudin was a french magician who lived during the 19th century. The simplified robert houdin break magic tricks youtube. This book has been published by david haversats 1878 press co.
The memoirs of roberthoudin has often been called the best autobiography in magic literature. Robert houdin truly ushered in a new era for magic and conjuring by creating a special dignity for. This contains revised versions of smiths 22 essays on magic books and history. 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. It is the sequel to secrets of conjuring and magic 1868. 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. My interest in conjuring and magic and my enthusiasm for robert houdin came into existence simultaneously. All of robert houdin s classic books essential reading for anyone striving in the art of magic. 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. Unlike some other books published by houdin to teach amateurs magic, this book should only be purchased by professional. 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. But the greatest magician of the 19th century or possibly of all time, was harry houdini 18741926. Later in his life he wrote the book the unmasking of robert houdin which he notably regretted writing. 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.
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. It is simply wonderful, the grand master robert houdin shares his secrets with elegance and simplicity. Their tricks exposed, or the art of always winning by hilliar, william j. 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. 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. Unmasking of roberthoudin, the by harry houdini quality. In the book he accused houdin of being a thief and a fraud stealing many of his magic illusions from other magicians.
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. 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. Secrets of conjuring and magic download ebook pdf, epub. Magic of robert houdin, the by christian fechner quality. Robert houdin introduced several novelties to the world of magicians. 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.
Until the 18th century, magic shows were a common source of entertainment at fairs. Jeaneugene roberthoudin french magician britannica. For this act of conjuring, the secret behind it all is automaton. 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. The name harry houdini pays homage to jean eugene robert houdin, the french performer widely considered the father of modern magic. Gervais, near blois, french magician who is considered to be the father of modern conjuring. The unmasking of robert houdin deluxe by harry houdini book magic tricks ebay. 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. This one on tricks with eggs is not strictly magic, but there are some fun ideas. His specialty was making machines that acted and appeared to be real.
The secrets of stage conjuring is one of the rarest of robert houdin s books on magic. Robert houdin 18051871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and. 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. Frontispiece from simon witgeests book of natural magic 1682, showing the. But houdini s relationship with his famous predecessor was. 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. 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. 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. 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. From the moment that i began to study the art, he became my guide and hero. Now available to the world for the first time since houdini himself made these unseen additions and changes.
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. A founding figure of modern entertainment magic was jean eugene roberthoudin, who had a magic theatre in paris in 1845. Some of the tricks and illusions robert houdin presented became classics. 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. Translated from the french of roberthoudin and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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. See more ideas about the magicians, eugene, robert. 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. 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. With the release of essential roberthoudin, the miracle factory has performed a great service for the serious student of the magical arts.
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. One of the most elegant magic books ever produced, christian fechner explores the incredible world of roberthoudin, the legendary master of magic. The memoirs of robert houdin has often been called the best autobiography in magic literature. Amazing as it looks, a magic is nothing but a clever illusion.
The unmasking of robert houdin deluxe by harry houdini. 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. In the original trick, houdin brought an orange tree onstage, and commanded it to bloom. 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. Sep 01, 20 the marvelous orange tree, created by jean eugenerobert houdin 18051871 and performed by paul daniels. Behindthescenes accounts highlight the careers of the worlds greatest magicians, including, robert houdin, herrmann, kellar, blackstone and, of course, houdini. A collectibe copy of the fashionable science of parlour magic one of magic s pioneering books by john henry anderson was sold on.
Anyone who has seen the illusionist will be familiar with a variant of robert houdin s classic orange tree illusion. He was widely acknowledged as the father of conjuring in its modern sense. Houdin stopped a violent revolution against france with a. 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. 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. How to perform the orange tree trick secrets our pastimes.